S.O.S. – In Need of Rescue: The Lifeguard Series (Week 3) [Friday Devotionals with Terra]- Episode 481

We’re on Week 3 of the S.O.S. – In Need of Rescue: The LifeGuard Series. 

Be sure to check out the first two weeks! (Week 1 & Week 2) 

Last week we began talking about how Jesus Saves us from Deception. This week we’re going to continue that thought and build on it. The worst kind of deception is really Self-Deception. 

And Jesus wants to save us from Ourselves!

James 1:13-16 ESV

 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[d]

What are some of the lies that we believe? 

• – That God’s intentions aren’t for GOOD. 
• – That God is against me. 
• – That God isn’t trustworthy. 
• – That I have to figure everything out on my own. 
• – That the world is better off without me. 
• – That I can’t be forgiven. 

How do we STOP THE DECEPTION?

We have to LEARN to DISCERN. 

So many messages are bombarding us every day… Commercials, TV shows, YouTube shorts, targeted ads, TikTok, Meta, IG, the music we listen to. 

Are they bad? Not necessarily. But when we just automatically let the next one scroll in front of us without discerning if what we just watched or heard is actually true and helpful – our thinking gets transformed and then our lives are actually being shaped by our thoughts.

Our thoughts shape what we believe.  Our beliefs (whether true or false) will lead to our actions. 

Are the people who create all of the messages we see and hear each day trying to deceive us by what they are creating? Not necessarily. But if they are telling us lies that they have believed – then we are being deceived because they have been deceived. 

How do you LEARN to DISCERN?

• ✦ Know Jesus – God the Son. He is the author, giver, and creator of life. He is our Redeemer. He has given His life to pay for our sin.
  • 🞂 John 14:6
  • 🞂 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• ✦ Know what the Bible says. Not for head knowledge – but so you can know God better. 
  • 🞂 The Bible isn’t supposed to be a book or rules. It’s supposed to be a love story. And when we read it like it’s just rules – we miss out on the relationship God wants with us.
• ✦ Turn off the noise. 
  • 🞂 Whatever that is for you. 
    • ▪ Work
    • ▪ Tv
    • ▪ Social media
  • 🞂 Have some time every day where you have “quiet” from it all.
• ✦ Talk with God. Press in. You can learn to hear God’s voice, and discern if it’s Him you’re hearing or the enemy or yourself. 
  • 🞂 Jesus said in John 10:27-28
  • 🞂 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”