And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
The way of the lie began in Paradise. There the lie of the devil did its destructive work.
And that power of the lie keeps working. The propaganda of the beast out of the earth (the false prophet) exercises its influence throughout all times of history. Rejection of God, desertion from His Word, corruption of His truth … such atrocity is the continuing fruit of the power of the lie.
The lie of the devil is awesome, so much so that when the Antichrist puts his fearsome propaganda machine of lies in top gear, the masses will unite behind him (Revelation 13).
Is it true, then, that the way of the lie is one of victory upon victory? No, thanks be to God, no! God’s truth triumphs, and shall triumph, over the power of the lie.
It triumphs … today! For that triumph is already here, in Jesus Christ, who resisted the power of the lie and defeated it; who also through His Spirit overcomes it in the hearts of people. He changes them so that they begin to live in submission to the truth.
The truth of God triumphs over the power of the lie. For when God sends those who disobey His Word a delusion that they should believe the lie, that is God’s triumph.
In that situation the weapon of the devil has become an instrument of judgment in God’s hand.
A frightening judgment indeed! Yes, those who love the lie and do it bring God’s fierce wrath upon themselves.
And if we look in that way at unbelief, as it manifests itself everywhere today, we will not abandon hope in the victory of our God. No, we will notice the triumph of His truth, also in His judgment concerning the delusion that makes the ungodly believe the lie.
And we shall know at the same time that the complete triumph is near. For the devil will soon be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, and with him everyone who cherishes the lie and does it. All liars – they shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).
The way of the lie is the way to eternal destruction.
But the way of God’s truth is one of eternal delight and salvation.
(from Your Only Comfort, a Bible daybook compiled by Rev Joh Francke: Pro Ecclesia Publishers, Armadale, Western Australia, 2017. This meditation was linked, in the book, to October 30.)