the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
The serpent beguiled me. Genesis 3:13. Deceive not yourselves. Jeremiah 37:9. Let no man deceive himself. 1 Corinthians 3:18. Lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Colossians 2:4.
Are you better, wiser, and more secure than was Eve in Paradise? Yet she was beguiled. If the Serpent prevailed over man to beguile him in his innocent paradisiacal state, why should he not prevail over you who are born and’ trained in sin? Therefore, pay close attention to the confession of your mother Eve concerning herself. How many wicked thoughts and fancies are awakened in your heart that may deceive you! How many sophistries in your corrupt mind! How many apparently good suggestions are made by friends or enemies! For this reason the prophets, and the apostles, as well as the experience of all pious men, give you this warning: Be on your guard and remain in Him who is made unto you the wisdom of God. He who clings in a childlike manner to Him; who relies not on himself, but who at every beginning, every action, looks to Him and undertakes nothing without Him, shall not be deceived, not even by the wily Serpent. For Jesus can, and He will, crush his head, set at naught his cunning and power, and deliver us from all his snares. But he who does not firmly hold fast to Him who is the Head, will soon relax, and his first zeal will grow cold. The world, Satan, and lukewarm friends, will gladly show him that his first zeal was overdone and his first love for Christ eccentric. This he readily believes, because he has already taken counsel with his own flesh and blood and can no longer distinguish between their voice and that of the Holy Spirit. Let no man deceive you! Remember Eve! Remember Lot’s wife! The first one was deceived by a small desire, the latter by an inquisitive glance. From small actions of unfaithfulness spring great and terrible sins. Let no man deceive you.
Father, fix my soul on Thee;
Every evil let me flee:
Nothing want beneath, above,
Happy in Thy precious love.
