YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES
(Ephesians 4:22).

We have many DESIRES.  We have the desires to be loved, to be needed, to be important, to be successful, to be noticed, to be good, and to be special. Are these deceitful desires? It depends on the way they are formed…and the way they are met. It they were formed by the father-of-lies to be fulfilled by anyone or anything, except the Lord Jesus, they are DECEITFUL DESIRES.

How do I recognize a deceitful desire? Behind each deceitful desire is a negative, destructive belief from the father-of-lies.  The belief “I am invisible” produces the deceitful desire “I need to be noticed.” This desire is meant to trick you into thinking that if you are noticed by the crowds, you would finally find meaning for your life.  The negative, destructive belief “I am a disappointment” produces the deceitful desire “I need to prove that I am a success.”  This desire is meant to deceive you into thinking that you would be important once others see your success.  The belief “I have no purpose” produces the deceitful desire “I need to be needed.”  This desire is meant to mislead you into believing that when you are needed by anyone and everyone, you have arrived at your purpose in life.

These deceitful desires cause bewilderment.  They obscure the Truth.  They lead us astray.  We become so busy trying to fulfill these deceitful desires that we do not get around doing the only thing that really matters—the Will of the Father.

HE WHO HAS AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES.  TO HIM WHO OVERCOMES, I WILL GIVE THE RIGHT TO EAT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, WHICH IS IN THE PARADISE OF GOD
(Revelation 2:7).

I bless you today to overcome the urge to surrender to your deceitful desires. Overcome the urge to accept and believe the father-of-lies’ counsel: “I am invisible…I am a disappointment…I have no purpose.” Overcome the urge to react to these oppressing beliefs by giving in to the deceitful desires they cause—running to anything and everything, except the Lord Jesus, to prove that you are important, that you are a success, and that you are needed.

The Lord Jesus wants to tell you how much He loves you, how special you are, and how much you matter, but you need to run to HIM, instead. Bring these destructive beliefs in your heart to HIM; then, He will turn your deceitful desires into HIS desires for your life.

PRAYER: Lord God, I submit these deceitful desires in my heart to You. Exchange them for the Truth, o Lord, so I may know that I am not invisible, that I am not a disappointment, and that I DO have a purpose. Help me to overcome the father-of-lies’ counsel, so I may eat from the Tree of Life, which is in Your Paradise.