Satan's Great Deception

Have you ever felt as if you had lost your way and there were no road signs to directed you? Have you ever wondered where you made that wrong turn and which way you should go to correct your journey? Did you start out with wonderful dreams and big plans, only now you feel as if you are speaking a different language than your children and perhaps the rest of your world? So many times over the last several months I have spoken with women who needed encouragement and affirmation that they were, in fact, doing what was best for their children. They have long felt as if their prayers were going no higher than the ceiling, and their God had forsaken them and their vision. Let’s take a look at some verses that the Lord gave me today in my Bible study and see if we can make some applications and answer some difficult questions.

Zechariah 10:2 “The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”(NIV)

Matthew 9:36 “When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered - harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless - like sheep without a shepherd.” (Amplified)

The throngs were confused and bewildered by idols who spoke deceit, they were harassed by diviners who saw visions that were a lie, lies straight from the pits of hell. Dreams that came to naught because they were false, the comfort that they promised was in vain. They stood helpless and dejected, they had no vision, no dream, no direction.

Matthew 9:37-38 “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. vs. 38 So pray the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.” (Amplified)

Jesus looked ahead in time that day and saw each and every one of us and knew the struggles we would face. He knew Satan to be the great deceiver and that we would need faithful prophets and leaders to direct us in our journey.

Today in the homeschooling movement God is raising up reluctant “harvesters” to bring in His harvest. Just as in the days of old, God is calling people who do not deem themselves worthy of His calling to take His message to the people. In Exodus 3, God called to Moses from the burning bush, even called him by name. There was no mistaking this personal calling!

In Jeremiah 1 we find God’s calling of that great prophet. Again, we find a very personal calling and again we find the object of that calling questioning God’s choice of a messenger. As one called to share God’s message, I, myself, have known the doubts brought to me by Satan, the great deceiver. I have wondered whether I was worthy of God’s calling and if I was equal to the task that He has given me. I have even been so bold as to question God’s judgement in using me.

I know so many others with much more wisdom to share, whom I deem worthy of the call. But, you see, God didn’t ask my opinion, He just asked for my obedience. Likewise, today in the homeschooling movement, there are so many who are wondering whether this is, in truth, the path that God has chosen for them. Did they discern that calling correctly? Did God call them to homeschool their children, or have they been laboring in vain? So many are wandering from one curriculum to another.

Every year when January and August or September rolls around, hundreds of families are once again changing their curriculum because their current one is just not working out. They are confused and bewildered. They wonder why this curriculum is not proving out the promises of the vendors.

When they purchased it, they were given promises of great results and told how wonderful it was. They were given a great dream for the future. Children learning and excited to do so. Great “test” scores and many false visions. But now, their children are crying over every lesson, or just dawdling and refusing to finish the required tasks.

Every day there is world war three in the school room and no one is happy with the way “school” is going this year. Mother’s are concerned that Father’s will make them put the children back in organized school if things don’t get better. The children may even be guilty of the sin of boredom.

The real problem is that they are dying for lack of intellectual stimulation. The false idols and false prophets have proven out the words of our Good Shepherd in Zechariah and they are now no better than the sheep of that passage. There is so much that can be done to remedy this situation, but burn-out and depression have set in and the frustration and tears abound. How do we get from this sad state of affairs into the abundant life that Jesus promises us when we follow in His perfect will?

Well, the first thing to do would be to go to God and confess all unconfessed sin. Seek to determine were you have failed to follow God and confess all. Next determine God’s vision for your children’s future and His vision for your homeschool.

The best place to go for help would obviously be to our Good Shepherd in prayer. But what if it feels like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and not being heard by anyone but you. Well, be of good cheer! The Bible has a promise for us in

Romans 8:26 - 27 “So too the (Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we know not what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the (Holy) Spirit - what His intent is - because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will.”

John 10:9-11 “I am the Door. Anyone, who enters in through me will be SAVED - will live; he will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.” (Nourishment for the mind, body and soul under the safety of the watchful eye of our Good Shepherd)

VS 10 “The thief comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy.” (To steal our hopes, vision and dreams, to kill our joy and destroy our relationship with our Good Shepherd and our family) “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance - to the full, till it overflows.” (Joy that overflows to everyone around us, fulfillment that spills over to our children and spouse, delight in learning that is noticed by all)

Matthew 21:21 “And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith, - a firm relying trust - and doubt not, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, (or stubborn child) Be taken up and cast into the sea; it will be done.” (I don’t mean that you should will your child to be cast into the sea, but that Jesus has the power to change your child’s heart and ways!)

VS. 22 “And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.” (Even up to peace in your home and a fresh way to teach your children. A way in which they will delight in learning and look forward to the times of learning with you, and even on their own in their free-time.)

John 16:24 “Up to this time, you have not asked a [single] thing in my name [that is, presenting all I AM] [but now] ask and keep on asking and you will receive, (persevere in prayer) so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.”

They have never sought out the Great Shepherd to determine His direction for their educational journey. They have never asked in full, doubtless faith for clarification and direction. They have never prayed through until God gives them a fresh vision for their children’s education.

Perhaps that sign in the road that you are looking for could be a new educational philosophy. One that gives the glory to God and not some writer. One that emphasizes discipleship of a child’s heart being more important than “test” scores. Or training them for God’s call on their life, even if that does not include a college career. Maybe it is time to consider a new teaching approach. One in which you can still utilize the resources your have, but apply them in a different way. Maybe it is time to train up your child in keeping with their own individual gifts and bents and stop worrying about keeping up with your friends's child. Stop comparing your child’s achievement level with that of other’s and appreciate each successfully completed day that God gives you. Maybe you have a discipline or heart issue with your child and all the curriculum changes in the world are not going to help.

Another area you should consider: just how much do you need to humble yourself and ask your husband’s opinion on all of this. God can and will lead you through your husband. What a relief it was to me when I finally yielded control to my husband and let him be responsible. So much stress was relieved! I was a new woman, not a weak woman by any means, but one who fully trusted God to lead her through her husband.

It can be so very hard to not try to manipulate his decisions. Just being still and letting God work it out is very, very hard. My flesh has a strong need and desire to be in control. But, truly, all of this can be clarified for you through your time spent studying God’s word. God set man as the head of woman, and Jesus as the head of man.

We are all part of one body and all parts have their own unique function. But each also have our own predetermined place. To try to put one part in another part’s place, would be unwise and definitely not work. A foot could not function in the place of a hand, nor would an arm be strong enough to do a leg’s job. So mom, stop trying to manage dad's job and yours, it just won't work!

Oh fellow travelers in this journey, what beautiful promises are waiting for us to claim. Searching the Scriptures daily and reading with an application to our purpose. Praying before our search for discernment and wisdom toward understanding. Asking for the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures to our understanding so that we may apply them to the object of our search. The joy, gladness and delight that can be ours by a simple childlike faith and a faith-filled prayer. An earnest search of Scriptures can yield so much wisdom and reassurance.

God answers prayers through His Holy Word. But we must earnestly seek Him. We must diligently persevere in prayer. We must daily read and search His Word. Only by being faithful in the little things can we expect a mighty work from our dear Lord in the bigger things. For the Bible says in:

Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Isn’t that blessed assurance?! What an awesome promise to claim! If we can just be faithful to the calling that God has given us, He will give us the increase, because of our faith, and through His Son! Glory Hallelujah! Praise God for His faithfulness! We can be delivered from these trying times, and emerge on the other side even better for our perseverance in the battle.

Matthew 26:39, “And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed , saying, my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I will - not what I desire - but as You will and desire.” (Amplified)

I can’t emphasize enough that we must die to our own dreams and visions for our children’s education and earnestly seek our Dear Good Shepherd’s will and vision for them. He loves them ever so much more than we ever can and He can see their past, present and future. He knows the rest of the story! We can read the back of the Book and see that we win. The battle is not ours but the Lord’s!

Oh fellow travelers on this journey, don’t ever forget who these children really belong to, and let Satan convince you that your way is best. It is so hard to keep this truth ever before you as you struggle with day to day life. Start your day “with a prayer of thanksgiving” and seek Him often as your day continues. Only by being constant in prayer can we ever hope to see this journey through. The battle is difficult and hard, sometimes we feel as if we labor in vain. But here again God has promises and words to comfort and reassure us!

So, in closing, remember when you feel that you have lost your way, and your home is filled with strife. Remember that God left us an instruction book, a map if you will. But we must daily and continually seek this map if we are not to be deceived by the great deceiver. We should not be wandering aimlessly as those with no hope. We should not be continually tossed to and fro by the winds of change.

We have a blessed hope in Jesus Christ our Lord and we must earnestly seek Him. He is the firm foundation upon which we must build our children. Consult your spouse and trust God for the rest. That is the way of life, peace and joy abundantly! The only road that will lead you to victorious days in our homeschool adventure!

“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ - right up to the time of His return - developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” Philippians 1:6

This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at jessiew@hiwaay.net for permission and more details.


	Crooked Pines Ministries Articles by Mary E. Woodis Satan's Great Deception Satan’s Great Deception by: Mary E. Woodis Have you ever felt as if you had lost your way and there were no road signs to directed you? Have you ever wondered where you made that wrong turn and which way you should go to correct your journey? Did you start out with wonderful dreams and big plans, only now you feel as if you are speaking a different language than your children and perhaps the rest of your world? So many times over the last several months I have spoken with women who needed encouragement and affirmation that they were, in fact, doing what was best for their children. They have long felt as if their prayers were going no higher than the ceiling, and their God had forsaken them and their vision. Let’s take a look at some verses that the Lord gave me today in my Bible study and see if we can make some applications and answer some difficult questions. Zechariah 10:2 “The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.”(NIV) Matthew 9:36 “When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered - harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless - like sheep without a shepherd.” (Amplified) The throngs were confused and bewildered by idols who spoke deceit, they were harassed by diviners who saw visions that were a lie, lies straight from the pits of hell. Dreams that came to naught because they were false, the comfort that they promised was in vain. They stood helpless and dejected, they had no vision, no dream, no direction. Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (NIV) The Great Shepherd saw them and had compassion for them. He was moved by pity and sympathy for them. He saw Satan roaming to and fro seeking to destroy them. Romans 8:37 “Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us.” (Amplified) But, at least part of these people would not perish for our Lord said in: Matthew 9:37-38 “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. vs. 38 So pray the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.” (Amplified) Jesus looked ahead in time that day and saw each and every one of us and knew the struggles we would face. He knew Satan to be the great deceiver and that we would need faithful prophets and leaders to direct us in our journey. Today in the homeschooling movement God is raising up reluctant “harvesters” to bring in His harvest. Just as in the days of old, God is calling people who do not deem themselves worthy of His calling to take His message to the people. In Exodus 3, God called to Moses from the burning bush, even called him by name. There was no mistaking this personal calling! When God identified Himself, Moses hid his face out of shame! God shared with Moses the job that He had for him to do, but Moses questioned God’s choice of a messenger. In Jeremiah 1 we find God’s calling of that great prophet. Again, we find a very personal calling and again we find the object of that calling questioning God’s choice of a messenger. As one called to share God’s message, I, myself, have known the doubts brought to me by Satan, the great deceiver. I have wondered whether I was worthy of God’s calling and if I was equal to the task that He has given me. I have even been so bold as to question God’s judgement in using me. I know so many others with much more wisdom to share, whom I deem worthy of the call. But, you see, God didn’t ask my opinion, He just asked for my obedience. Likewise, today in the homeschooling movement, there are so many who are wondering whether this is, in truth, the path that God has chosen for them. Did they discern that calling correctly? Did God call them to homeschool their children, or have they been laboring in vain? So many are wandering from one curriculum to another. Every year when January and August or September rolls around, hundreds of families are once again changing their curriculum because their current one is just not working out. They are confused and bewildered. They wonder why this curriculum is not proving out the promises of the vendors. When they purchased it, they were given promises of great results and told how wonderful it was. They were given a great dream for the future. Children learning and excited to do so. Great “test” scores and many false visions. But now, their children are crying over every lesson, or just dawdling and refusing to finish the required tasks. Every day there is world war three in the school room and no one is happy with the way “school” is going this year. Mother’s are concerned that Father’s will make them put the children back in organized school if things don’t get better. The children may even be guilty of the sin of boredom. The real problem is that they are dying for lack of intellectual stimulation. The false idols and false prophets have proven out the words of our Good Shepherd in Zechariah and they are now no better than the sheep of that passage. There is so much that can be done to remedy this situation, but burn-out and depression have set in and the frustration and tears abound. How do we get from this sad state of affairs into the abundant life that Jesus promises us when we follow in His perfect will? Well, the first thing to do would be to go to God and confess all unconfessed sin. Seek to determine were you have failed to follow God and confess all. Next determine God’s vision for your children’s future and His vision for your homeschool. The best place to go for help would obviously be to our Good Shepherd in prayer. But what if it feels like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and not being heard by anyone but you. Well, be of good cheer! The Bible has a promise for us in Romans 8:26 - 27 “So too the (Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we know not what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the (Holy) Spirit - what His intent is - because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will.” Also, Jesus said in: John 10:9-11 “I am the Door. Anyone, who enters in through me will be SAVED - will live; he will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.” (Nourishment for the mind, body and soul under the safety of the watchful eye of our Good Shepherd) VS 10 “The thief comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy.” (To steal our hopes, vision and dreams, to kill our joy and destroy our relationship with our Good Shepherd and our family) “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance - to the full, till it overflows.” (Joy that overflows to everyone around us, fulfillment that spills over to our children and spouse, delight in learning that is noticed by all) VS 11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.” Also, the Bible says in: Matthew 21:21 “And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith, - a firm relying trust - and doubt not, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, (or stubborn child) Be taken up and cast into the sea; it will be done.” (I don’t mean that you should will your child to be cast into the sea, but that Jesus has the power to change your child’s heart and ways!) VS. 22 “And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.” (Even up to peace in your home and a fresh way to teach your children. A way in which they will delight in learning and look forward to the times of learning with you, and even on their own in their free-time.) John 16:24 “Up to this time, you have not asked a [single] thing in my name [that is, presenting all I AM] [but now] ask and keep on asking and you will receive, (persevere in prayer) so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” They have never sought out the Great Shepherd to determine His direction for their educational journey. They have never asked in full, doubtless faith for clarification and direction. They have never prayed through until God gives them a fresh vision for their children’s education. Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to [all] this? If God be for us, who [can be] against us? - Who can be our foe, if God is on our side? Perhaps that sign in the road that you are looking for could be a new educational philosophy. One that gives the glory to God and not some writer. One that emphasizes discipleship of a child’s heart being more important than “test” scores. Or training them for God’s call on their life, even if that does not include a college career. Maybe it is time to consider a new teaching approach. One in which you can still utilize the resources your have, but apply them in a different way. Maybe it is time to train up your child in keeping with their own individual gifts and bents and stop worrying about keeping up with your friends's child. Stop comparing your child’s achievement level with that of other’s and appreciate each successfully completed day that God gives you. Maybe you have a discipline or heart issue with your child and all the curriculum changes in the world are not going to help. Another area you should consider: just how much do you need to humble yourself and ask your husband’s opinion on all of this. God can and will lead you through your husband. What a relief it was to me when I finally yielded control to my husband and let him be responsible. So much stress was relieved! I was a new woman, not a weak woman by any means, but one who fully trusted God to lead her through her husband. It can be so very hard to not try to manipulate his decisions. Just being still and letting God work it out is very, very hard. My flesh has a strong need and desire to be in control. But, truly, all of this can be clarified for you through your time spent studying God’s word. God set man as the head of woman, and Jesus as the head of man. We are all part of one body and all parts have their own unique function. But each also have our own predetermined place. To try to put one part in another part’s place, would be unwise and definitely not work. A foot could not function in the place of a hand, nor would an arm be strong enough to do a leg’s job. So mom, stop trying to manage dad's job and yours, it just won't work! Oh fellow travelers in this journey, what beautiful promises are waiting for us to claim. Searching the Scriptures daily and reading with an application to our purpose. Praying before our search for discernment and wisdom toward understanding. Asking for the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures to our understanding so that we may apply them to the object of our search. The joy, gladness and delight that can be ours by a simple childlike faith and a faith-filled prayer. An earnest search of Scriptures can yield so much wisdom and reassurance. God answers prayers through His Holy Word. But we must earnestly seek Him. We must diligently persevere in prayer. We must daily read and search His Word. Only by being faithful in the little things can we expect a mighty work from our dear Lord in the bigger things. For the Bible says in: Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Isn’t that blessed assurance?! What an awesome promise to claim! If we can just be faithful to the calling that God has given us, He will give us the increase, because of our faith, and through His Son! Glory Hallelujah! Praise God for His faithfulness! We can be delivered from these trying times, and emerge on the other side even better for our perseverance in the battle. But in all these things ever be mindful of our own Dear Jesus’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:39, “And going a little further, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed , saying, my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I will - not what I desire - but as You will and desire.” (Amplified) I can’t emphasize enough that we must die to our own dreams and visions for our children’s education and earnestly seek our Dear Good Shepherd’s will and vision for them. He loves them ever so much more than we ever can and He can see their past, present and future. He knows the rest of the story! We can read the back of the Book and see that we win. The battle is not ours but the Lord’s! Oh fellow travelers on this journey, don’t ever forget who these children really belong to, and let Satan convince you that your way is best. It is so hard to keep this truth ever before you as you struggle with day to day life. Start your day “with a prayer of thanksgiving” and seek Him often as your day continues. Only by being constant in prayer can we ever hope to see this journey through. The battle is difficult and hard, sometimes we feel as if we labor in vain. But here again God has promises and words to comfort and reassure us! John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” And in 1 John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” So, in closing, remember when you feel that you have lost your way, and your home is filled with strife. Remember that God left us an instruction book, a map if you will. But we must daily and continually seek this map if we are not to be deceived by the great deceiver. We should not be wandering aimlessly as those with no hope. We should not be continually tossed to and fro by the winds of change. We have a blessed hope in Jesus Christ our Lord and we must earnestly seek Him. He is the firm foundation upon which we must build our children. Consult your spouse and trust God for the rest. That is the way of life, peace and joy abundantly! The only road that will lead you to victorious days in our homeschool adventure! “And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ - right up to the time of His return - developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” Philippians 1:6 Amen. Back to the top This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at jessiew@hiwaay.net for permission and more details. jessiew@hiwaay.net Page last updated February 2003