The Container Doesn’t Match Its Contents
Matthew 7:15, “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the OUTSIDE, but on the INSIDE, they are really like wild wolves.” (GNT)
The word ‘deceptive’, is defined as: “giving an impression different from the true one; to deliberately mislead into believing something false
The word “counterfeit”, is defined as: “to make in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud; a forgery
And that’s exactly what sin does. Sin deceives us, it gives us an impression different from its true one; it deliberately misleads us into believing something false; it ensnares and cheats us; it imitates something valuable or worthwhile, when its true intention was to deceive and defraud us; it’s a forgery to its appearance; it is opposition to what is real and true.
It’s much like the commercials you see about smoking and drinking. Everyone in the ads appear to be having such a great time. They’re happy, smiling, laughing, partying, dancing, and living life to the fullest with utter, and complete joy…or so it seems.
Because if you watch the other commercials about smoking and drinking, you see the contents of the faulty looking container. The drinking commercials show cars flipped upside down, a child’s bicycle laying in blood on the ground where they were run over, you see the pain and anguish of loved ones looking at the remains of a car that their loved one was in, but had to be cut out of. The smoking commercials, show you the black lungs, the respirators, the person with a hole in their throat, the person who suffered a heart attack at 38, the person who says, ‘I can only go as far as my oxygen tank lets me.’
Amazingly, both commercials have the same focus (smoking and drinking), however, one shows the container, but the other shows the real content! And so, it is with sin!
Like the drinking and smoking commercials, sin only shows you the container, never the content…that you often don’t see revealed, until it’s far too late.
James 1:13-15, “Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.” (MSG)
Sin is much like smoking and drinking. There’s a conception (pregnancy), then a baby, then the baby grows to adulthood, and then there’s death. Sin, smoking and drinking are all the very same. They take their time. They’re in no hurry at all to kill you right away. But when the full effects finally grow to maturity, they take you out prematurely!
Today, is a good day to pray this short, yet effective prayer: “Lord in the midst of every temptation, grant me the discernment to see Your way of escape and the wisdom to take it!”
Don’t let Sin seduce you with its appearance of good! Don’t be fooled by the container, and be killed by the content!
Neither Satan or Sin are in any hurry to trap you! Like the effects of smoking and drinking, it damages and destroys your life slowly and often silently.
1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (AMP)
And it’s not done in a big way either, nor is it done quickly. But the enemy prowls, he takes his time, he roams the territory until it’s a vulnerable, opportune time to attack and annihilate! Don’t let it happen to you! Satan and Sin move very secretively like a thief.
And most thieves who simply want to steal (anything, regardless of its value) don’t have a plan. They just see something and take it. But when real thieves go after something (of Value), they have a plan. They map it out. They take their time.
They come up with back-up plans, a plan b-z, in case plan a doesn’t make it! They scope out an area or person. They pick all the right people to help them accomplish their goal. And Satan and Sin are no different. They aren’t looking to snatch you overnight.
Because of your Value, they’re scheming and planning, and picking out just the right people to use against you. Like a lion, he’s roaming, waiting, watching, plotting and planning his ultimate theft of your life and soul! And it’s all because you are of such Value!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “…you are not your own [property]…YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE [YOU WERE ACTUALLY PURCHASED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS AND MADE HIS OWN]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” (AMP)
We are so valuable that it took the Blood and Life of the Son of God just to purchase us!
And you thought you had no value?! Why do you think the devil is prowling around your life?! He knows who we are, what we’ll become and who we belong to! He knows our worth and our value (even when you under-estimate it yourself)! And most important, he knows we are the PROPERTY OF GOD!
Don’t be fooled by the container, the contents will kill you…and it will take its time doing so!
Truth is, you may be looking at a temptation right now, or maybe you’re even giving into it right now; a temptation that looks promising on the outside. But God is sending you a warning right now to let you know the heartache and the hurt that’s on the inside. You see, sin conceals its ugliness and it conceals its destruction until you’ve already talked with the serpent, bitten the fruit and been banished from the garden!
The temptation that looks good to you right now may say “pleasure” on the container – do this because it will feel good. Or maybe the package says “love” – do this and you’ll get some love. The promise may be “relief” – a chance to escape from some hurt, or maybe it says “significance” – do this and you’ll get ahead, you’ll feel important.
But see, God believes in “truth-in-packaging.” He clearly reveals what sin really offers in James 1:15, “After desire has conceived” (that’s the part where the container really looks inviting) “it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” That, of course, is not on the container!
Which makes me think of the Federal Trade Commission. It states on its website: “Truth In Advertising – When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence.
When the FTC finds a case of fraud perpetrated on consumers, the agency files actions in federal district court for immediate and permanent orders to stop scams; prevent fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future; freeze their assets; and get compensation for victims.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if that were the case with Satan and Sin? Where there had to be truth-in-advertising, or they would have to pay us for victimizing us through false and misleading claims? But people of God, that is not the case! Satan and Sin can look as inviting and appealing as a Cool Whip container, while you’re holding a nice, large, hot slice of pumpkin pie…HOWEVER, the contents in the container are not suitable for you!
And there is no penalty to be paid because the Bible teaches us, we are well aware, and able to resist! So, before you puff your next cigarette, sip your next drink, say that lie, share that rumor/gossip, meet at that hotel, return that email, voicemail, text or compliment, know that you will pay a heavy price for devaluing the property of God!
First, sin fascinates you, then sin assassinates you! It kills your self-respect, it kills people’s trust in you, it kills your close relationships, it kills your freedom, it kills your closeness to God, it kills your reputation, it kills your character, it kills your integrity, it kills present and future opportunities, it kills marriages and families, it kills neighborhoods, communities, even businesses, ministries and churches, and before long, it will kill you! Short Benefit – Long Consequences! A sinful way to get something you need or want is never worth it and ultimately never delivers.
It’s a prison on the inside, that looks like a penthouse on the outside! You don’t know that you’re hooked until the cell door slams behind you! The thrill of sin lasts a short time; the bill for sin lasts a long time! There’s a little good stuff and a whole lot of guilt; a rush that’s brief and wreckage that can last a lifetime.
Don’t fall for the lies on sin’s package! Check its real contents, as exposed graphically in the Bible!
2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a FORM of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (KJV) Here’s a few more
translations:
“holding to a FORM of [OUTWARD] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.” (AMP);
Sounds a lot like false-advertising to me! Much like Satan and Sin, they only have a, “form, look like, pretend, appear, act and look as if”. The container is misleadingly safe, the contents however are dangerous and deadly! Don’t be fooled by what’s on the outside, use wisdom and search the inside!
Now, if you’ve already opened sin’s package, just get out while you can! If you’re looking at a compromise that God calls sin, run the other way, while you still can! You haven’t got time for the pain, for the scars, for the slavery, for the shame.
Do it God’s way, even if it’s harder, even if it takes longer. Remember, it’s the narrow road that leads to life. It’s the wide road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
No More Falling For Satan and Sins Container Appearance! Now That You KNOW What the Contents Are and Their Capability to Kill You, Keep Your Spoon Out of There! It’s Gravy, NOT Cool Whip!
Don’t be like the Scribes and Pharisees, focusing on the CLEAN OUTER APPEARANCE…when INWARDLY, IT’S A FILTHY MESS! (Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the OUTSIDE of the cup and of the plate, but INSIDE they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the INSIDE of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your INNER self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the OUTSIDE [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.” (AMP)
Don’t Let the Container Fool You, the Contents Are Not For Your Good! They are a Mere Counterfeit! Use Discernment So That You Be Not Deceived! The Kingdom has such a need of you that it cannot afford for you to compromise and miss God! Therefore, feed your relationship with the Holy Ghost so that He can guard and guide you daily and help you to keep your footing from slipping, stumbling and falling into Satan’s attractive annihilating traps!
Don’t Let the Container Fool You in Regards to its Real Content!
Thank you SYS
Reflections Ministries / Calvin Wyatt / e-mail:calvincosmo30@gmail.com
Follow us Daily on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn
Matthew 7:15, “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the OUTSIDE, but on the INSIDE, they are really like wild wolves.” (GNT)
The word ‘deceptive’, is defined as: “giving an impression different from the true one; to deliberately mislead into believing something false
The word “counterfeit”, is defined as: “to make in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud; a forgery
And that’s exactly what sin does. Sin deceives us, it gives us an impression different from its true one; it deliberately misleads us into believing something false; it ensnares and cheats us; it imitates something valuable or worthwhile, when its true intention was to deceive and defraud us; it’s a forgery to its appearance; it is opposition to what is real and true.
It’s much like the commercials you see about smoking and drinking. Everyone in the ads appear to be having such a great time. They’re happy, smiling, laughing, partying, dancing, and living life to the fullest with utter, and complete joy…or so it seems.
Because if you watch the other commercials about smoking and drinking, you see the contents of the faulty looking container. The drinking commercials show cars flipped upside down, a child’s bicycle laying in blood on the ground where they were run over, you see the pain and anguish of loved ones looking at the remains of a car that their loved one was in, but had to be cut out of. The smoking commercials, show you the black lungs, the respirators, the person with a hole in their throat, the person who suffered a heart attack at 38, the person who says, ‘I can only go as far as my oxygen tank lets me.’
Amazingly, both commercials have the same focus (smoking and drinking), however, one shows the container, but the other shows the real content! And so, it is with sin!
Like the drinking and smoking commercials, sin only shows you the container, never the content…that you often don’t see revealed, until it’s far too late.
James 1:13-15, “Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.” (MSG)
Sin is much like smoking and drinking. There’s a conception (pregnancy), then a baby, then the baby grows to adulthood, and then there’s death. Sin, smoking and drinking are all the very same. They take their time. They’re in no hurry at all to kill you right away. But when the full effects finally grow to maturity, they take you out prematurely!
Today, is a good day to pray this short, yet effective prayer: “Lord in the midst of every temptation, grant me the discernment to see Your way of escape and the wisdom to take it!”
Don’t let Sin seduce you with its appearance of good! Don’t be fooled by the container, and be killed by the content!
Neither Satan or Sin are in any hurry to trap you! Like the effects of smoking and drinking, it damages and destroys your life slowly and often silently.
1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (AMP)
And it’s not done in a big way either, nor is it done quickly. But the enemy prowls, he takes his time, he roams the territory until it’s a vulnerable, opportune time to attack and annihilate! Don’t let it happen to you! Satan and Sin move very secretively like a thief.
And most thieves who simply want to steal (anything, regardless of its value) don’t have a plan. They just see something and take it. But when real thieves go after something (of Value), they have a plan. They map it out. They take their time.
They come up with back-up plans, a plan b-z, in case plan a doesn’t make it! They scope out an area or person. They pick all the right people to help them accomplish their goal. And Satan and Sin are no different. They aren’t looking to snatch you overnight.
Because of your Value, they’re scheming and planning, and picking out just the right people to use against you. Like a lion, he’s roaming, waiting, watching, plotting and planning his ultimate theft of your life and soul! And it’s all because you are of such Value!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “…you are not your own [property]…YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE [YOU WERE ACTUALLY PURCHASED WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS AND MADE HIS OWN]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.” (AMP)
We are so valuable that it took the Blood and Life of the Son of God just to purchase us!
And you thought you had no value?! Why do you think the devil is prowling around your life?! He knows who we are, what we’ll become and who we belong to! He knows our worth and our value (even when you under-estimate it yourself)! And most important, he knows we are the PROPERTY OF GOD!
Don’t be fooled by the container, the contents will kill you…and it will take its time doing so!
Truth is, you may be looking at a temptation right now, or maybe you’re even giving into it right now; a temptation that looks promising on the outside. But God is sending you a warning right now to let you know the heartache and the hurt that’s on the inside. You see, sin conceals its ugliness and it conceals its destruction until you’ve already talked with the serpent, bitten the fruit and been banished from the garden!
The temptation that looks good to you right now may say “pleasure” on the container – do this because it will feel good. Or maybe the package says “love” – do this and you’ll get some love. The promise may be “relief” – a chance to escape from some hurt, or maybe it says “significance” – do this and you’ll get ahead, you’ll feel important.
But see, God believes in “truth-in-packaging.” He clearly reveals what sin really offers in James 1:15, “After desire has conceived” (that’s the part where the container really looks inviting) “it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” That, of course, is not on the container!
Which makes me think of the Federal Trade Commission. It states on its website: “Truth In Advertising – When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it’s on the Internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, federal law says that ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence.
When the FTC finds a case of fraud perpetrated on consumers, the agency files actions in federal district court for immediate and permanent orders to stop scams; prevent fraudsters from perpetrating scams in the future; freeze their assets; and get compensation for victims.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if that were the case with Satan and Sin? Where there had to be truth-in-advertising, or they would have to pay us for victimizing us through false and misleading claims? But people of God, that is not the case! Satan and Sin can look as inviting and appealing as a Cool Whip container, while you’re holding a nice, large, hot slice of pumpkin pie…HOWEVER, the contents in the container are not suitable for you!
And there is no penalty to be paid because the Bible teaches us, we are well aware, and able to resist! So, before you puff your next cigarette, sip your next drink, say that lie, share that rumor/gossip, meet at that hotel, return that email, voicemail, text or compliment, know that you will pay a heavy price for devaluing the property of God!
First, sin fascinates you, then sin assassinates you! It kills your self-respect, it kills people’s trust in you, it kills your close relationships, it kills your freedom, it kills your closeness to God, it kills your reputation, it kills your character, it kills your integrity, it kills present and future opportunities, it kills marriages and families, it kills neighborhoods, communities, even businesses, ministries and churches, and before long, it will kill you! Short Benefit – Long Consequences! A sinful way to get something you need or want is never worth it and ultimately never delivers.
It’s a prison on the inside, that looks like a penthouse on the outside! You don’t know that you’re hooked until the cell door slams behind you! The thrill of sin lasts a short time; the bill for sin lasts a long time! There’s a little good stuff and a whole lot of guilt; a rush that’s brief and wreckage that can last a lifetime.
Don’t fall for the lies on sin’s package! Check its real contents, as exposed graphically in the Bible!
2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a FORM of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (KJV) Here’s a few more
translations:
“holding to a FORM of [OUTWARD] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.” (AMP);
Sounds a lot like false-advertising to me! Much like Satan and Sin, they only have a, “form, look like, pretend, appear, act and look as if”. The container is misleadingly safe, the contents however are dangerous and deadly! Don’t be fooled by what’s on the outside, use wisdom and search the inside!
Now, if you’ve already opened sin’s package, just get out while you can! If you’re looking at a compromise that God calls sin, run the other way, while you still can! You haven’t got time for the pain, for the scars, for the slavery, for the shame.
Do it God’s way, even if it’s harder, even if it takes longer. Remember, it’s the narrow road that leads to life. It’s the wide road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
No More Falling For Satan and Sins Container Appearance! Now That You KNOW What the Contents Are and Their Capability to Kill You, Keep Your Spoon Out of There! It’s Gravy, NOT Cool Whip!
Don’t be like the Scribes and Pharisees, focusing on the CLEAN OUTER APPEARANCE…when INWARDLY, IT’S A FILTHY MESS! (Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the OUTSIDE of the cup and of the plate, but INSIDE they are full of extortion and robbery and self-indulgence (unrestrained greed). You [spiritually] blind Pharisee, first clean the INSIDE of the cup and of the plate [examine and change your INNER self to conform to God’s precepts], so that the OUTSIDE [your public life and deeds] may be clean also.” (AMP)
Don’t Let the Container Fool You, the Contents Are Not For Your Good! They are a Mere Counterfeit! Use Discernment So That You Be Not Deceived! The Kingdom has such a need of you that it cannot afford for you to compromise and miss God! Therefore, feed your relationship with the Holy Ghost so that He can guard and guide you daily and help you to keep your footing from slipping, stumbling and falling into Satan’s attractive annihilating traps!
Don’t Let the Container Fool You in Regards to its Real Content!
Thank you SYS
Reflections Ministries / Calvin Wyatt / e-mail:calvincosmo30@gmail.com
Follow us Daily on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn
