Deception Is Physical Comfort

 

What looks like a Gaboon viper, sounds like a Gaboon viper, and acts like a Gaboon viper? A Gaboon viper, of course. Or, it could also be, a Congolese giant toad. With its two inch fangs, the Gaboon viper is one of the largest vipers in Africa. The Congolese giant toad can only be found in the same habitat as the Gaboon viper. With a body that resembles the head of the viper, in that it is the same color and size, and the toad can also mimic the sound of the hissing snake. When the toad is threatened, it will raise its rear-end, making it look similar to the Gaboon viper getting ready to strike (Science News, October 25, 2019). The toad’s ability to appear to be a Gaboon viper is seemingly an effective defense mechanism in a certainly hostile environment. Looking like a serpent is likely vital to the toad’s survival. Deception is its defense.

[Galatians 6:7-8] “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” On the other hand: *One is deceived if they are a hearer and not a doer of the Word of God (James 1:22); * One is deceived if they say they have no sin (1 John 1:8); * One is deceived when they think themselves to be something when they are nothing ( Galatians 6:3); * One is deceived when they seem to be religious but do not bridle their tongue (James 1:26); * One is deceived when they think they will not reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7); * One is deceived when they think evil company cannot corrupt their good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33); * One is deceived when they think the unrighteous will inherit the Kingdom of God [Heaven, Eternal life with God] (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

[Ephesians 4: 17-32] The Christian of today is ever increasingly finding themselves living in an overall religiously-hostile environment and, if asked, may even admit they at times attempt to appear similar to nonbelievers around them in an attempt to “fit in,” knowing they have put themselves in a spiritually dangerous situation. The Christian trying to fit in with the world around them might try to sound like a sinner by talking like a sinner. However, God’s Word instructs the Christian to, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths…” (Ephesians 4:29). Paul instructed the Colossians to, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). The Christian trying to fit in with the world around them might try to look like a sinner. Dressing immodestly is strongly taught against in Scripture (i.e. 1 Timothy 2:9). The Christian trying to fit in with the world around them might try to act like a sinner. “…Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:3). Rather than imitating unbelievers, Christians are called to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1-2). The Congolese giant toad may sound like a viper, look like a viper, and act like a viper, but it’s still a toad. The Christian who tries to sound like a sinner, look like a sinner, and act like a sinner, is in fact, a sinner (1 Corinthians 3:18-23). In an attempt to blend in with the world and be more comfortable, one is only using deception as a defense against possible persecution and humiliation directed at them from unbelievers. “…They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (v.18). “…gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth that they will come to their senses…” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).