THE SUCCESS OF DECEPTION

 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" — Romans 8:31

One word in this verse deserves careful attention: if. No faithful Bible translation, regardless of its theological perspective, removes this conditional word. It reminds us that the certainty of our victory rests upon one indispensable reality: God must truly be with us.

We must never live on the assumption that God is with us simply because we profess His name or engage in religious activities. Rather, we should seek the assurance of His abiding presence through a life of obedience, faith, and fellowship with Him.

There is a tragic danger in presuming upon God's presence.

Scripture records the heartbreaking account of Samson:

"He awoke from his sleep and thought, 'I will go out as before and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the LORD had left him." (Judges 16:20)

These are among the saddest words in the Bible: "He did not know that the LORD had left him."

Samson gradually surrendered what God had entrusted to him. He revealed holy secrets to ungodly people, became comfortable among the enemies of God, and treated sacred things carelessly. He entertained compromise while expecting God to continue endorsing his life. He assumed that divine favour would remain regardless of his disobedience. Sadly, he discovered too late that the presence of God should never be taken for granted.

This is why the Apostle Paul exhorts every believer:

"Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." (2 Corinthians 13:5)

The Christian life is not built upon assumptions but upon genuine communion with Christ. Every believer should be able to testify with humble confidence: "God is with me."

Once we are certain that God is with us, Romans 8:31 naturally raises another question: Who can be against us?

The answer is obvious—many people and many circumstances.

Paul himself experienced relentless opposition. He endured imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, persecution, hunger, danger, betrayal, and constant hardship (2 Corinthians 11:23–33). Yet none of these convinced him that God had abandoned him.

Therefore, when Paul declared:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?... In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:35–39)

he was not denying the reality of suffering. Rather, he affirmed that no opposition can ultimately overcome those who remain in Christ.

Our victory is not the absence of battles but the certainty of God's presence in the midst of them.

Today, however, Satan's greatest weapon against the Church is often not open persecution but deception.

He has subtly infiltrated many hearts and even influenced the altar of God. False teachings are presented under the banners of love, tolerance, and ecumenism. The sanctity of marriage and the covenant of lifelong commitment are increasingly weakened by the philosophies of self-centredness and cultural pressure. Divorce is defended where reconciliation should be pursued. Some believers seek protection from ungodly sources, returning to practices that deny complete trust in God. Others place their confidence in human strength, worldly systems, or weapons rather than in the Lord. Increasingly, the life and testimony of Jesus Christ are being reinterpreted through merely human reasoning instead of humble submission to the authority of Scripture.

This strategy is not new.

When Satan tempted Jesus, he did not begin by encouraging murder, immorality, or theft. Instead, he sought to undermine Christ's trust in His Father. He subtly suggested independence from God and invited Him to satisfy legitimate needs by illegitimate means. But Jesus discerned the deception and overcame every temptation with the written Word of God.

Recently, I counselled a young man completing his university education. He sincerely believed God wanted him to abandon his studies in order to devote himself entirely to church work. At first glance, his decision appeared spiritual and sacrificial. Yet I reminded him that God is not opposed to sound education. The real danger lies in trusting our qualifications more than we trust God.

Many have mistakenly concluded that serving God's kingdom requires abandoning every educational pursuit. While God may indeed call some individuals into unique paths of ministry, such cases are exceptional and must be confirmed by His clear leading. We should also remember that:

"Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in his words and deeds." (Acts 7:22)

The knowledge Moses acquired later became a valuable instrument in God's hand as he confronted Pharaoh and led Israel out of bondage. God often prepares His servants through both spiritual formation and practical training.

Many more examples could be given, but one truth remains unmistakable:

The greatest weapon the enemy is using against the Church today is deception.

Like Delilah with Samson,

"She pressed him hard with her words day after day." (Judges 16:16)

Compromise rarely arrives suddenly. It advances gradually through repeated pressure, persuasive arguments, cultural acceptance, and constant accommodation. Little by little, convictions weaken, spiritual vigilance declines, and the believer drifts into dangerous territory.

If we fail to remain watchful, we may one day discover that the spiritual strength God entrusted to us has quietly disappeared while we continue assuming that everything is well.

The enemy never gives up. He is patient, intelligent, relentless, and above all, deceptive. He will sacrifice comfort, time, and countless strategies if only he can draw one believer away from wholehearted devotion to Christ.

This is not the hour for spiritual carelessness but for sober self-examination. Let every heart return to the Lord with humility and sincerity. Let us repent of every hidden compromise, every misplaced confidence, every subtle deception we have entertained, and every affection that has competed with our love for Christ.

May we once again treasure the presence of God above popularity, pleasure, possessions, and personal ambition. Let the Church recover her first love, her holiness, her dependence upon the Holy Spirit, and her unwavering confidence in the authority of God's Word.

If God is truly with us, no power of darkness can prevail against us. But if we grieve His Spirit through persistent compromise, we deceive ourselves at great peril.

Today, hear His voice. Return while His mercy still calls. Awake before your spiritual strength is lost. Stand firm in the truth, resist the devil, and cling to Christ with an undivided heart.

May the Lord revive His Church, awaken our generation, and keep us faithful until the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Let us wake up.

A CALL TO PRAYER PARTNERSHIP

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matthew 18:19–20

The Church needs watchmen. The nations need intercessors. This is not the hour for spiritual slumber.

Will you join me in prayer for revival, holiness, missions, and the advancement of God’s kingdom?

If you feel led, click the link below 

https://chat.whatsapp.com/B8YoVYJhFOS0XAiD6RIgx2?s=cl&p=a&ilr=4

Peter Abdul-Razaq Olayinka

A Serving Missionary — Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara

WhatsApp: +234 806 654 0987

Mobile: +234 802 849 5639 | +229 019 413 9130

Email: peterrazaq@yahoo.com

X (Formerly Twitter): @peterrazaq

Linkedin: Revd. Peter OLAYINKA