By Ruby Ann Darling, For The Guardian

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

A story is told of a marriage taking place where both parties are aware they are infected with a deadly disease, but does not tell the other. All goes well until one day one spouse becomes ill and confesses to the other fearing the worst, but a confession is made by the other revealing the same sickness. This marriage has been baptized in deception!

Another story reveals deception on a deathbed. A partner in a large company lay dying in a hospital and calls for the other to confess that he had been "cooking" the financial records for years for his own personal gain. Feeling relieved after his confession, he was ready to "cross over Jordan's chilly river." The other partner wryly said "that's why I poisoned you." A company operating on deception.

There was surprise beyond words when the identity of the BTK killer had been discovered — church officer, husband, father, good neighbor and friend — but a wolf in sheep's clothing. Deception to the core!

There is deception on every side throughout this global village. More and more each day, the horrors of deception have this world reeling and rocking like a ship caught in a ferocious storm. Marriages are ending in divorce, learned scholars are being exposed because they changed grades in order to graduate, children are saints in the home, and devils out of the home.

Husbands and wives are leading double lives, as R. Kelly masterfully sings in his five-part rendition of "In The Closet."

There is disappointment in leadership be it spiritual or political, speaking out of their mouths but not out of their hearts. They are in the city but the city is far removed from them. Parents are abrogating their responsibilities of training for living. Financial institutions are eager to assist in buying the product but not in owning the company.

The writings of the Apostle Paul were letters written to various churches, among whom was Galatia. Strangely enough, Paul took sick in Galatia and instead of letting the sickness get him down he saw it as a fit and proper opportunity to evangelize, hence the conversion of the Galatians. He let them know in no uncertain terms that the Mosaic Law, although divine in origin, is not binding on the Christians having been superseded by faith in Christ Jesus.

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen." What a beautiful salutation. Words are powerful and so when we speak, it must be void of deception. Jesus said, "Let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay." Don't tell people what they want to hear but what they must hear.

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" Deception is a form of witchcraft and there be many who are masters of the trade.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."

Many of you have stories in volumes of deception but whatever is sown will bring forth fruit and much fruit. Let us try for the sake of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to be true in our dealings and exemplary in our deportment. As Christians let us be worthy ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. Let us be faithful in season and out of season knowing that you do not mock God and get by, for what is sown will be reaped.

Today there is hope for all and sundry for whatever role we may play in pulling down and not building up. We have the choice not to mock God but to adore and worship Him in the Beauty of Holiness, to not deceive, but receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and to sow good seeds so that our harvest will be bountiful here and hereafter.

*E-mail me with prayer requests, concerns and comments to drradarlin2@hotmail.com or write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas.