DECEPTION 

 JESUS is the Truth

 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6

 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:12

 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
2 Corinthians 3:13-16

GOD'S Kingdom is built with truth, love and light.

GOD gives revelation to His people.

The devil's kingdom is built on lies, hatred and darkness.

The devil deceives people.

How do we know what is truth and what is a lie?

If you are searching for the truth in a certain specific matter, you will find it in the written word of GOD. If not, you will find it in your heart, if the Spirit of Truth is in you.

 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 51:6

Everything GOD says is truth. Every word that came out of the mouth of the LORD JESUS was truth. whatever the Holy Spirit speaks and reveals to us is truth because He is the Spirit of Truth. GOD'S word is the plumb line and anything that does not align with the word of GOD is a lie. JESUS is the Truth manifested in the flesh.

And they made His grave with the wicked-- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
Isaiah 53:9

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"
John 1:47

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:2

The devil is the father of lies

 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
John 8:44

Lies and deception originate from the devil.

The twisted serpent twists even the word of GOD with his lying ability to deceive people.

And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:13

Since that day, every human being on earth is born in sin.

 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23

Falling short of GOD'S glory is sin and sin is deceitful because it keeps us in darkness. While living in this world, all of us have various areas of darkness. This darkness leaves as we have revelation of the word of GOD and walk in His light.

 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Do not deceive yourself

  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

James 1:12-16

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
James 1:26

Outward religious rituals and repetitive words recited meaninglessly, will deceive one's heart.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22

 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.
Galatians 6:1-5

The fact is that my goodness is nothing apart from the LORD.

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You."
Psalm 16:1-2

speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

1 Timothy 4:2

When we lie, our conscience is disturbed but if we choose to ignore that conviction and keep lying, it becomes a habit. Then it becomes easy to lie with a straight face and an unmoved conscience!

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8

 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
John 16:13

 Do not deceive others 

Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
Psalm 34:13

 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
Colossians 3:9

Do not be deceived

Sin is deceitful

but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13

 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."
Acts 8:9-24

Bitterness and iniquity are poison to the soul. It may be hidden deep within and seem harmless. You could justify yourself for holding bitterness, hurt, anger and unforgiveness against GOD and or others. The longer you hold it, the greater the effects of the poison. You might be hiding your guilt, shame and fear not knowing how to be rid of it. You may not even be aware that it is these effects of sin that are tormenting you! 

The LORD JESUS suffered and died on that cruel cross two thousand years ago, to make a way for all of mankind to be relieved of the burden of sin. You can come to the cross and pour out your heart and be rid of all your burden, for the blood of JESUS covers all sin, never to be remembered anymore!

 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:5-9

It is for this very purpose that GOD sent His only Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST into this world, to bring conviction of sin and to  release us from the bondage and power of sin.

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Carnality is deceitful

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Galatians 6:7-8

 Riches are deceitful 

 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Matthew 13:22

Principles of the World, Traditions of Men and Philosophy; any of these that are not according to CHRIST, are deceitful

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Colossians 2:8

 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4

 Deceived People deceive others

And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
Matthew 24:4

 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Acts 13:6-11

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth exposes every lie and fraud.

For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Matthew 24:24

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1:7

By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
2 Peter 2:3

We must arise beyond the darkness and deception of this world, if we are to see Heaven!

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
1 John 5:19

 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:1-3

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Revelation 21:27

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HOLY COMMUNION

As humans, we have a spirit and a soul and we live in a physical body.

The food we eat benefits our physical body by nourishing it. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual life and the word of GOD nourishes our soul.

At the LORD’S table as we call it, or the Eucharist or the Holy Communion, we eat a tiny piece of bread and a tiny cup of wine. This feeds our body a little, but more importantly, it is food to our soul, because we do it in remembrance of the new covenant in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 10:14-17

The Jews ate the passover meal as families. The LORD shared the meal with His disciples, His spiritual family. So today we acknowledge that we are one family in CHRIST under the new covenant. If we are taking part in this meal, we should be willing to obey the LORD’S command to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Therefore let us make sure we have put right our relationships before we partake of this, because, together we represent CHRIST in this world. As He is, so are we in this world. So it is very important to release and receive forgiveness and have clean hearts towards each other if we are to participate in this meal. Then, it will be a blessing to our soul. He poured out His soul unto death in grief and sorrow so that our souls may be saved and healed. The well being of our soul is a reflection of healthy relationships. Let us be blessed with good mental health - healthy emotions and a sound mind.

We must also understand that there is a spiritual aspect to this institution and that is our connection with the Almighty GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. We are made alive spiritually through the death and resurrection of Him. He took the punishment of our sin on His body.

 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10:38-39

Therefore those who partake of this should be those who have decided to follow JESUS, willing to die to self and to live for Him.

Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:53-54

This speaks of our life in CHRIST. This further shows us the seriousness of this commitment. It is a life and death matter. When we do this with such a heart, it is a blessing and brings healing and wholeness to us. On the other hand when we do this carelessly, it will bring GOD’S judgment upon us.

 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.

1 Corinthians 11:27-31

I had this impression of a father working with an electric saw. When his disobedient rebellious son wanted to use it, he hastened to put the switch off and unplug the saw. On this Fathers’ day, it is even more pertinent to remember our Heavenly Father Who deals so wisely with us. No obedience, no power so that there is no judgment , but sadly, there is no blessing as well!

So let us examine our own hearts. Let parents take the responsibility to decide whether their children understand and have the fear of the LORD to partake in this.