Since the beginning of time Satan has been renowned as a liar and a deceiver par excellence. The main thrust of what this chief opponent of Yahweh and his works has always been doing and is still doing in this world, is to lead people astray and to deceive them with his trickery. A key verse in this regard is 2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I am afraid, lest, as the serpent deceived Chawwah by his trickery, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Messiah." There is an inherent simplicity with regards to the Messiah and what He came to do in this world. There is a simplicity and unity with regards to the core message of Yahweh’s Word. Satan, however, has succeeded in complicating matters and corrupting the minds of serious believers to such a degree that many of them do not know the difference between truth and lie any longer.

The extend to which this corruption has infiltrated people’s lives and the institutions of this world and even churches with their traditional belief systems, is much more serious than what many people may realise. We should always bear in mind that the enemy is extremely subtle and cunning and even convincing in the way he presents his product. In the same chapter mentioned above, the 14 th verse, it is said that Satan "masquerades as a messenger of light". The Greek word translated with "masquerades" is "metaschematizo". One can recognise the word "scheme" in this word and "meta" is a prefix conveying the meaning of "transferring", "transforming" or "putting (someone or yourself) in the company of others (the majority)". With his schemes and extremely cleverly designed strategies Satan is most successful in drawing people’s attention and causing them to assemble together in great numbers, and eventually form "companies" (churches and institutions) which are often regarded as "untouchable" and "infallible".

In the Word of Yahweh we are reminded repeatedly that the world, as a whole, is entangled within this evil network of the enemy. This is stated quite clearly, among other verses, in 1 Yahuchanan (1 John) 5:19 ("the whole world lies in the power of the evil one") and Revelation 12:9 ("Satan, the deceiver of the whole world"). I believe that Satan’s single greatest deception is that he has succeeded in convincing numbers of deceived people that they are OK themselves and that it is "others" who are deceived. We should not allow ourselves to underestimate the enormity and the intensity of the plague of deception reaching every corner of this world. Let us take a closer look at some of the lies of the enemy that we may encounter in our daily lives. Once we recognise the lie, we can stand up against it and warn and inform others accordingly.

1. The lie that for some reason or other, Yahweh sometimes goes back on his word.

Bereshit (Genesis) 3:2-4 And the woman said to the serpent, We are to eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of it, nor touch it, lest you die.’ And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You shall certainly not die.’

2. The lie that truth is established by looking at the convictions of the majority.

Bemidbar (Numbers) 14:30 None of you except Kalev son of Yephunneh, and Yahushua son of Nun, shall enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.

3. The lie that with regards to some of the direct commandments of Yahweh’s Word, obedience is optional.

Romans 6:15-16 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under Torah but under favour? Let it not be! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants for obedience, you are servants of the one whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

4. The lie that the perfect desire of Yahweh may be learned by listening to a secret voice, rather than studying the Word of Yahweh.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for setting straight, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of Elohim might be fitted, equipped for every good work.

5. The lie that the validity of traditional beliefs is guaranteed because of their general appeal and universal acceptance.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one makes a prey of you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary matters of the world, and not according to Messiah.

6. The lie that the ways of Yahweh may be (re)discovered by making a selection from the beliefs of the major modern-day religions of the world.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days hard times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, thankless, wrong-doers, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, haters of good, betrayers, reckless, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Elohim, having a form of reverence but denying its power. And turn away from these!

7. The lie that sincerity and general goodwill and a right attitude of heart are all that matter in the eyes of Yahweh.

YermeYahu 17:7-10 Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose trust is Yahweh. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and does not see when heat comes. And his leaf shall be green, and in the year of drought he is not anxious, nor does he cease from yielding fruit. The heart is crooked above all, and desperately sick – who shall know it? I, Yahweh, search the heart, I try the kidneys, and give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.

8. The lie that peace of mind and a comfortable lifestyle and general enjoyment are essential to live a truly fulfilled life.

Yahuchanan 16:33 These words I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you have pressure, but take courage, I have overcome the world.

9. The lie that the mere observance of certain forgotten commandments of Yahweh’s Word is equal to Scriptural set-apartness.

YeshaYahu 1:13 Stop bringing futile offerings, incense, it is an abomination to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, the calling of meetings – I am unable to bear unrighteousness and assembly.

10. The lie that feelings of failure and incompetence is an indication of Yahweh’s dissatisfaction and withdrawal.