Mask of Deception

The whole idea of a mask is to conceal one’s identity.  When Covid-19 was upon us and taking its toll on so many lives, we were required to wear masks.  We were told they would prevent the spread of the disease.

Certain types of masks can certainly protect our lungs from toxic chemical gases, contaminants, and harsh elements that can prove harmful to our health if inhaled. 

Another slant regarding masks is when a person is putting on a mask of deception, a front or ruse to deceive people as to who they really are inside…a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as it were.  It is someone pretending to be something they are not.

Deception is the key to taking advantage of others and trying to fool them into accepting a hidden or devious agenda that could prove detrimental to the person being deceived. 

The devil is a prime example of a master deceiver.  He appears as light but is darkness in disguise.  He wears the mask of deception.  Satan is deceptive in all his ways and wants to devour our soul.

(1 Peter 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

If we listen to his lies and allow them to infiltrate our thinking, his hateful antics can become a part of our demeanor.  His subtle influence, in time, takes a person away from what is best for them, and impacts on their everyday living in ways that they put on his outlandish characteristics.

We must guard our mind against the invasion of lies and filth that pollute and undermine goodness and upright living.  Disregarding the effects can sway us away from God and His blessings.

If we are not careful, we can deceive ourselves into thinking that something is okay to partake of or get involved with but know in their heart it’s wrong.  My father-in-law called this personal tactic of misleading oneself, “justification.” 

A person wants something so bad that they conjure up a plan to make it seem right in their own mind by justifying their actions to obtain it.  What would Jesus do if He were in the same situation?  This question will always give the right answer.

My desire is to be more like the Lord than the devil, because Jesus gives abundant peace that accompanies doing the right thing.  God wants us to have life and life more abundantly.  We will have this when we abide in truth rather than wearing a mask of deception, while deceiving ourselves. 

God knows the intent of our heart and He cannot be deceived.  We may think we are getting by with something, but we are not.  God sees and knows all things.  He is omniscient (having complete or unlimited knowledge), omnipotent (all infinite and powerful), and omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time).

(Galatians 6:7-8), “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (vs 8) “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.” 

Where a person can get into real trouble is when they get caught up in half-truths.  Cults and teachers of false doctrines will not present their deceptive ideas and theories up front in one sitting but will combine them with truth that a person feels comfortable with.

They begin conversations with things that are believable and then infiltrate the truth with deceptive rhetoric.  Listen closely.  Don’t be swayed with untruths.  If something doesn’t seem quite right, it probably isn’t.  Remember, if it looks like a duck, it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck no matter how much truth is mixed in the falsehood.

More than likely, most unsuspecting people would be able to discern that the presentation is a façade or mask, unless truth were not integrated at different points  in their attempt to deceive.  Be aware and stay prudent of half-truths.  Do not take things at face value until you have weighed the supposed facts with sound teachings that you have had or what the Bible says about the situation.

 When someone presents fragments of truth, while manipulating and working in their untruthful spiel, the mask of deception is less likely to be lifted, and the person exposed if we bury our heads in the sand of naïve thinking.  We must be wise in our reasoning as we use God-given listening skills.  If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The moment any conversation goes off course and something does not add up, sounds off script, doesn’t feel right, these are caution flags that are prompting you to run the other way.  The mask of deception is at work and has just been lifted to reveal who and what is coming at you.

(Ephesians 6:10-12), “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (vs 11) “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (vs 12) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd