I like magicians. I mean, who doesn’t? Kind of makes me mad and frustrated though because I can’t figure out the dang trick. I don’t like being left in the dark. I don’t like feeling stupid. Magicians make me feel stupid. I don’t like magicians anymore.

I actually know a class act magician personally. A real zinger. The real deal. I fall for his tricks all. the. time. But, the good news is is that once I know his tricks, he can’t dupe me. Once I see behind the curtain and discover that his whole plan is to trick me and get me to see what isn’t real, then I stop watching the show. He becomes boring and looks like a dork. I laugh at him. He doesn’t like that.

It’s all about distractions with this guy.

smoke screens

look at one hand while the other is tricking you

don’t get too caught up in the real world

focus on what is false

forget reality

And that’s our spiritual enemy in a magicians hat. His goal is to distract God’s people from spiritual reality. If our focus is on lies and deception then we can’t be focused on truth and purpose.

“Look over here so you’ll forget about what He’s doing.”

“My way is more fun!”

“My way is more entertaining!”

“Abracadabra! You’re duped and I’ve shoved you into my little box of lies!”

Don’t be duped. Don’t be trapped by the smoke screen. Don’t fall for the lies. Be aware. Once you do that, he’ll become boring and the magic show will end. You’ll step back into the light of reality and get back on with living out what God has planned.

“…we are not unaware of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11