FALSE ADVERISING
An advertising executive dreamed he died and stood at the pearly gates. In his dream, Peter asked, "What’s your choice: heaven or to hell?"
"Show me my options," the exec said. "Let's see hell." Up popped a giant screen displaying girls in bikinis and well-built guys playing volleyball on the beach. Coolers iced down with beer were abundant. Everyone sported brand-name clothes and drove BMWs. “That doesn’t look so bad,” he thought. “Show me a glimpse of heaven.”
The video continued to roll, displaying images of a park filled with old people sitting on benches, feeding birds and playing checkers, Angels sang gentle hymns in the background. "If that’s heaven" the guy muttered, "then I think I prefer hell." Then in his dream, he was immediately plunged into molten lava! He screamed at Peter, "Hey, where's the beach and the babes and the beer?"
"Sorry," Peter replied. “What you saw was the demo tape sent up by Satan!" (Source: FAX of Life, 5/12/1998)
Let me be clear. In no way is this story Biblically correct! However, the message is compelling. False advertising is Satan's specialty. The devil and his demons work overtime to convince us that serving God is lame, and what the devil offers is exciting. But it's a big fat lie! John 8:44 tells us when Satan lies "he speaks his native language." That's why Hebrews 3:13 warns us not to be "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (i.e. false advertising). If Satan told us the truth, we’d never take his bait, and as a result, be pulled away from Jesus. So many lives remain in scattered ruins, in the wake of Satan's deceptions.
The solution? Draw near to Jesus, and reject Satan’s lies (James 4:7). Embrace everything God says, and renounce everything the devil whispers to you. Don't be fooled by false advertising!
Ponder:
What deceptions of Satan might you be susceptible to?
What spiritual practices draw you closer to Jesus in this season of life?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Hebrews chapter three.
Lord, guard me against the danger of being deceived by the enemy. Turn my gaze to you, and keep my spiritual eyes focused on you.