Deception

Deception is one of the most often used tools of Satan. If he can deceive us then he can lead us astray. If he can lead us astray then we no longer serve God with our whole heart. When we no longer seek him with our whole heart, then he has effectively disarmed a soldier for God.
All throughout the Bible people were deceived. Even as far back as the garden of Eden, Satan was at work using deception. He appeared to Eve as a serpent, at that time a most beautiful animal. Even today some snakes have beautiful colors and are very pretty. He came and started talking to Eve about what they could eat and what they couldn't. He said, "Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1) In other words, didn't God tell you that you can't eat of every tree? To which Eve replied," We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ye shall not eat of it neither shall thou touch it lest ye die" (Genesis 3:2,3) In other words, we can eat of anything except the tree in the middle of the garden. This gave Satan the perfect opportunity to cause her to desire something forbidden. He showed her how good the tree was by saying oh you won't die but you'll become like the gods. This should have warned Eve something was wrong but it had entered into her heart that she could have this so she listened to what she wanted to hear. She heard you will not die and was deceived into taking the fruit. Satan did not make her take it but he put the thought there that allowed it.
That is what happens to us today. We hear what we want to hear and look for what we want to see. Satan sees that we are lonely and unfulfilled and uses that to deceive us. If we are lonely for companionship he will send someone our way who will make us feel special and loved and all the time that person is leading us away from God. If we have a desire to be a success then he will send us people around us to make us feel successful. If we desire to help people then he will make sure that his people are around for us to help to keep us from seeking God and getting closer to him to do his will. Satan uses the weakness of the flesh to keep us from being soldiers for God. That is why Paul said to crucify the flesh daily. If we keep the flesh under God's subjection then we will be more in tune with God and will recognize the traps and snares that Satan lays out for us. Our spirits will pick up when something isn't of God and will warn us but if we aren't in tune with God we won't hear it or if we do we will ignore it because it isn't something we are wanting to hear.
Another instance of deception came when Abram was traveling to the new land and came near to the Egyptians. He told Sarai his wife to tell them she was his sister so that he could live. When the Pharaoh saw how beautiful Sarai was he took her into his house and treated Abram well for Sarai's sake. Pharaoh and his house were plagued with plagues because of Sarai. So Pharaoh asked him why didn't you tell me she was your wife. You see, Abram had let the fleshly desires enter in. He didn't want to be killed because he had a beautiful wife and they wanted her for their own. (Genesis 12)
Satan cannot force his way in. If you are a Christian you have to open a door to allow him in. If you are not a Christian then he is already there and you will follow his suggestions as though they were your own, for truly until we take Jesus as our savior then Satan is the lord of our life. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel that Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" He will appear to us as something good that's why we are supposed to try the spirits to see if they be of God (1John 4:1). We are told that in the last days people would depart and give heed to seducing spirits. (1 Timothy 4:1) Seducing spirits deceive now the same as they did then. It is up to us to be aware and watching so that we aren't deceived.

Have a blessed day.