July 12, 2023

Are We Under Willful Deception?
 

Would any of us willfully be deceived? I’m sure we would all respond, “Of course not!”  But actually, the answer is “yes.” We all can, and probably have, been  willfully deceived—and this is how.
 
 A few years ago I experienced a deep betrayal by someone I had completely trusted. We had spent hours talking. They had been over for family functions. It was a close relationship. And then small red flags began to pop up—which I noticed, but because I trusted the individual—I realize now I ignored them.
 
I should have immediately begun to dig into those red flags. Had it been anyone else, I would have! The few questions I asked them were always explained away as if it was no big deal. And because I trusted them, I left it at that. To my own detriment.
 
Relationship Blinders
The Holy Spirit was giving warnings, but I didn’t  realize it--because of relationship. I thought I knew this person. I trusted them. When I asked about the areas in question, they always had a quick answer to put my heart at rest. And I believed them. I couldn’t imagine they would lie to my face.
 
But they did. It was all deception. And worse…I missed it for a long time.
 
A Danger We All Need To Recognize
Relationship often skews our discernment and creates willful deception. Worse, when we see irregularities that go against what we believe about the individual, without realizing it we begin to create excuses for their behavior because we can’t imagine they would intentionally do something wrong. Our relationship, what we believe we know about the person, or what we have been told about them, can block our discernment. And one day that deception is going to bite us where it hurts.
 
These relationship blinders are everywhere--especially in regards to our religious and political leaders. People we think we know and/or have trusted. But make no mistake, when we begin to see issues popping up—no matter how small—we need to pay attention.
 
Recently I was at a meeting where an influential political leader was speaking. We will call him “Leader Smith.” Leader Smith had made a statement against a candidate of his own  party 24 hours before an election that had cost that candidate a school board seat and ensured the opposing party won. The candidate spoken against had campaigned to get porn out of school libraries in that district and to give parents more voice.
 
What “Smith” did didn’t make sense. It was an irregularity—a red flag. If “Leader Smith” truly supported conservative values as he claimed, then why would he have taken such a public action to derail the campaign for the candidate from his own party?
 
So I asked him publicly in the meeting. He gave a quick response excusing himself from any wrong doing and tried to move on. But I wasn’t moving on. I politely positioned the question two other ways to which he finally responded, “Well if I had it to do over again, I would probably do it differently.” Probably? That was another red flag.
 
When I continued to ask questions to get to the root, someone else stood up, obviously frustrated with me and defended “Leader Smith” as they tried to silence me. Remember actions are indicators. It made me immediately wonder why that individual popped up to defend “Smith.”
 
I didn’t have to wonder long. Two days later the defender announced they were running for office. Now her actions made sense. She was willing to ignore what he did (willful deception) because she wanted his endorsement. She wasn’t willing to consider that his actions were red flags—as now were hers.
 
When I shared what transpired with yet another friend who knew Leader Smith, she immediately rose to his defense. “Oh I know him well. Our families have been friends a long time (relationship).  He wouldn’t have done that intentionally. He would never have caused one of our own to lose an election.
 
But he did. Clearly. And what I learned later was he had been asked by someone else in political office, to do what he did—which threw his party’s candidate under the bus.

Smith’s irregular actions, which should have been huge red flags—were ignored. Why? Because of relationship. Remember, what we believe about someone, often skews discernment.

We need to remember this in the days ahead, because the Bible warns that all of us can be deceived.
 
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will do great signs and miracles. They will try to fool God’s chosen people if possible (Matt 24:24).
 
So if we all can be deceived, then what can we do to safeguard against it?
 
The Nature of Deception Is We Don’t Recognize It!
 
There is not only relational deception but also deception that subtly enters from two other doors. It’s how we become “Infected.” (See lower box below.)
 
Lord, we pray for all reading this newsletter. Keep us from the foot of pride. Reveal to us if deception has gained any entry into our lives and blinded us to truth. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. May our discernment not be clouded, but help us to pay attention to Holy Spirit warnings!
 
In Christ,

Kevin & Karen


P.S. Thank you for your prayer and support. 

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CLICK HERE to help us make a difference for the Kingdom of God!
 
PRAYER
1. Pray for our Stronger Leaders Training Seminars in Cambodia for the rural pastors. These pastors attend one seminar a month for 10 months that you have helped us sponsor and pray over. Our July seminar starts tomorrow through Saturday. Pray for great teaching in the Word and a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit's presence and power to baptize these pastors with fire!
2. Pray for our Destiny Builders School Prayer Teams. We have several pastors in one city near Tulsa willing to partner with us to place prayer teams in each of their public schools. We need to recuit the prayer team members, but communication challenges have been hindering this. We also need teacher contacts in each school to help us open the door to pray on site. 

Please pray over this with us for open communication with pastors, churches, and strong contacts in each school. This is a model we want to provide for churches to be even more relevant in their cities, as they serve their communities.

3. Pray for our prayer ministry for our local and national government leaders. We are connected to several legislators working to remove corruption in our state and nation. These men and women of God know they are called to establish righteousness and justice through legislation on godly principles. They face much opposition. Join with us to pray for them as they serve on the front lines of the battle for our cities, states, and nation.
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Infected: How to Stop the Global Spread of Rage, Deception & Insanity
“Infected” shares the connection between pride/jealousy and offense which are key components that always open the door to deception. The “infected” are all around us—and it is highly contagious. How can you know if you’ve been infected and how can we stay free? In the back of the book is a short test to help you know. We believe this is one of the most important books for the days we are now in to keep us firmly grounded and protected.

God’s Justice after Injustice.
If you have been unjustly removed, censored, stolen from or silenced,
find out how to receive vindication AND restoration.

Get Your Copy Today!

1 for $14.99, 2 for $25, or 5 for $55 (plus shipping.)

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     If you would like a free copy of scriptural prayers to pray over you and your family, go to our website at: www.destinybuilders.world/download-prayer/

     As we pray the Word, we come into alignment with His Word and He said He watches over His Word to perform it!
 
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