False Evidence Appearing Real (Ephesians 6:11; 4:14; 2 Sam. 19:27)

Ephesians 6:11 says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil"

The devils total weaponry has been taken away from him, [see Totally Defeated] but he still has means to inflict damage against the kingdom of God.

WILES - This word is only used twice in the NT (Eph.4:14; 6:11) and the root word, from which it is derived, is used only once in scripture. (2 Sam. 19:27). [The Greek word is where the English word "method" is derived from].

In secular Greek literature, the word is used in the scientific field, to describe a systematic process to obtain a desired result. When literally translated from the Greek, this compound word is "after a way", and means a "method" or way of doing something.

The second word in the compound refers to a road traveled to get to a goal or destination. The word came to mean not just a specific method or procedure of doing something, to obtain a desired result, but the motivation behind the method, and therefore, negatively, "cunning or deception".The word in this passage, is in the plural, suggesting a "constantly repeated" method. [i.e., used over and over again, because it works!]

The real meaning of this word is found in it's single OT use in the LXX. (2 Sam. 19:27):

"And he [Ziba] has dealt deceitfully with thy servant [Mephibosheth] to my lord the king..." Ziba believed that David would be restored again to his rightful position as king, and so Ziba devised a plan to ensure his future welfare.

1) He came to David with provisions, leaving his crippled master behind, knowing that David would inquire about Mephibosheth's absence.

2) He lied about Mephibosheth to David, to obtain a favorable word from the king, the rightful ruler of the kingdom.

It was not just the words, that Ziba used to convince David that Mephibosheth was unfaithful to him, but by bringing provisions for David, he reinforced the appearance, that what he was saying was true. ( 2 Sam. 16:1-4). By this deception, Ziba received a word from David, the rightful king in authority, that drastically changed his position in life. Scripture indicates, that at the very least, Ziba obtained half of the rightful inheritance of Mephibosheth, and was no more a servant to the house of Saul, but legally became a master of someone else's inheritance. (2 Sam. 19:24-30).

1) The devil gives the appearance, through circumstance and situation, that things contrary to God's will in our lives, are in fact reality, and will not change. ( i.e., broken relationships; church strife; financial crisis; unsaved loved ones; sickness and disease; mental anguish, etc.,)

2) The devil uses words, in our minds, or often from well meaning friends, to reinforce the appearance, that his evidence is in fact the truth, and will not change.

However, this false evidence appearing real [F.E.A.R], is designed for one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to obtain from you, the one in authority, words from your mouth, that will agree with his deception. By your verbal agreement you put into force a legally binding verdict, that wrongfully steals what is rightfully your inheritance, to become his possession. [see The Doris Day Syndrome]. [Remember the devil has no more weapons, he only uses deceptions!]

Use your words to reinforce the evidence of God's word in your life, and surround yourself with those Believers who will stand with you to continue to possess your rightful inheritance in Christ; because when one of us wins, we all win!

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.