Deception

At times the devil shrieks his lies.

"There is no God! He's dead."

"How could a loving God do this?"

Sowing seeds of doubt and dread.

He points to earthly tragedy:

Destruction, war, disease.

And with a mocking sneer he shouts:

"Curse God! Get off your knees."

Sometimes he speaks in clear, calm tones.

"My way is easy. Come."

But following his deceptive paths

Makes my heart weak and numb.

He promises great pleasure, great friends

And great rewards.

Causing me confusion about

Where my treasure is stored.

Most often he will whisper lies.

"It's not that big a deal..."

His subtle tactics are well disguised,

But their deadliness is real.

"You deserve it. God won't mind."

"You can't ALWAYS be good."

And suddenly my captive heart

Does what it never should.

Lord, help me then not to believe

The lies the devil tells.

To prize the jewel of Your true word

Above the trinkets that he sells.

Focus my eyes on what is true:

Your Word, your love, your plan.

Expose deception, fraud and sin

As only Your TRUTH can!

(5/5/11)