The Great Deception

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” [Mark 9.24] 

This verse reveals the Great Deception of the Church today. People genuinely think they can believe and not believe at the same time. But, nothing could be further from Biblical Truth.

It is clear that the root of this erroneous idea is idolatry. 

Idols typically make no obvious argument against God, but subtly demand their place beside God. While they do not necessarily exalt themselves as "gods," they secure their place virtually undetected by other means. They do so by deceptively cloaking themselves with the name of God - they claim to be "tools of God."

We must remember here that idols are not idols to the world. Idolatry is the way of life for people whose god is not the LORD - idols are indeed their "gods." In self preservation, the God-less world must manufacture these idols to meet their needs because God of the Bible is not part of their lives. So, naturally, the world must have man-made gods for money, for protection, for health, and for any and every other need they perceive. It is imperative that a Bible-believing God-follower understand this in order to understand that the world's gods are in fact the Bible-believer's idols.

With the previous paragraph firmly established and understood, it becomes clear then that to believe God of the Bible is to reject the gods of the world. Why? Because God said so!

1. You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]
2. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind. [Exodus 20.4]
3. You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. [Exodus 20.7]

The Great Deception, adhered to and firmly believed by so many, must necessarily initiate a view of the first three commandments listed above in abstract values. This is accomplished by convincing God's people that the world's gods are extensions of God - that they are "gifts from God" or, that "God uses them." Yes, this error is subtle, but it has worked for as long as man has dwelt upon earth. However, this flawed idea is precisely why the Third Commandment exists - to eliminate any notion that God endorses idolatry! God's "stamp of approval" (His Name) must never be assigned to man-made gods of the world!

For the father who cried out to Jesus then to think both belief and unbelief could dwell in him simultaneously was error. Jesus brought singular focus to the conversation:

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” [Mark 9.23]

Unbelief (believing the gods of the world) is not something to contend with as if to 'overbalance the scale' in favor of belief in God. Unbelief (believing the gods of the world) must be abandoned altogether. There is no balance between God and the world. There is no balance and certainly no co-existence between good and evil. It is only natural (and quite literal then) that Jesus - God With Us - would demand abandoned devotion to Himself:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Elsewhere, Jesus gave clear warning about idolatry: not to give focus to idols, but in fact to abandon them altogether:

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. [Matthew 6.31-34]

The Great Deception of idolatry is relentless however as it persists also to convince God's people of an abstract view of the passage above allowing idols to remain "part of God's plan" in real violation of the first three of the Ten Commandments. In fact, the Great Deception is supported by the Great Deceivers, the idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology. Consequently, God's people, like the desperate father in today's subject verse, plead with God for help while refusing to abandon these idols that have deceptively identified themselves as "gifts from God" or "tools that God uses today."

The Apostle Paul penned these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your  Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6.14-18]

In conclusion, we don't need help overcoming our unbelief - our idols. We need to abandon idols altogether and believe in Jesus Christ - God With Us - ALONE for everything. We must remember that the Second Commandment is very clear that God is a Jealous God Who will not tolerate our affection for any other.

Father, I have been guilty of pleading with You for help dealing with my idols - my unbelief. I don't want to content with my idols - I want to abandon them! But I know what that means... I need Jesus more than ever! May I be found hungry and thirsty for Jesus ALONE. So be it.