Contemplative Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:20-24 (New Living Translation)

²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Focus on the end of verse 22. In part, our old sinful nature was corrupted by deception.

We have been renewed to by like Christ. One way that we have been renewed is through truth.  God has not deceived us in any way. God has not told little white lies or engaged in “spin” to wiggle around with words and actions.

Deception is the tool of the other side; deception is prevalent in the world that rejects God. Here are a few things that come from deception:

• lying
• stealing
• cheating on your spouse
• cheating on your employer
• cheating your employee
• withholding a tip from a waitress/waiter
• murdering someone
• cheating on your taxes

I could continue. What’s the use? We can trace almost any sin to being deceptive. Deception is gone now and we shall never return to it.