“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To Day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:13-14). The exhortation and warning was given to Christians to remind us of the possibility of becoming “hardened” through the deceitfulness of sin. The word “deceit” means to “give a false impression, whether by statement, appearance, or influence.” Sin is altogether deceitful! It never parades itself in its true light. In fact, sin wears a mask to fool its victims.
Sin wears a mask of beauty. On the outside, sin is very attractive. Consider the serpent’s appeal to Eve, “…ye shall be as gods…” (Genesis 3:5b). That sounds great! Interestingly, the serpent also used an item that was apparently good to view, “And when the women saw that the tree was… pleasant to the eyes…” (Genesis 3:6b). This fruit, whatever it was, was attractive. It looked good and something that Eve desired. On the outside, it was beautiful, but inside its appearance was dreadful!
When was the last time this world has ever portrayed sin for its ugliness? Satan paints alcohol as cool and inviting, pornography as sexy and alluring, affairs as exciting and youthful, drugs as sophisticated and wise, and fornication as hip and happening. However, once the mask is removed, the real picture is horrible. Homeless people addicted to drugs and alcohol without a family, love or even the basic necessities of life. Once the mask of pornography is removed, one can clearly see a devoted wife who feels she must fit a certain “mold,” a husband whose mind is consumed with lust, a family whose faces remain red with shame and pain. Pornography stars at a very young age have sold their bodies to the devil and will never fully recover from that devastation! Beware, under the surface, sin is ugly!
Sin wears a mask of a buddy. If sin portrayed itself as two-faced or a “fair weather friend,” mankind would be much more aware of its real colors. However, sin confronts its victims with a “big hug” in a “great to meet you” kind of way! In fact, sin looks for the lonely to “befriend.” Again, consider Eve. When did the serpent approach her? Was it when Adam was present? Was it when she and her husband were busy tending the garden? The serpent came when Eve was alone and apparently idle! Consider Joseph. When did Potiphar’s wife attempt to seduce Joseph? “But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, that she caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me’” (Genesis 39:11-12). Sin “buddied” up to David when he was all alone (2 Samuel 11). Sin portrays itself as a buddy, but beware, it is not interested in anything but destruction!
Sin wears a mask of bounty. Satan wants to portray sin as a “big payday.” If you really want to succeed, then you must live it up is Satan’s motto. Sin promises to reap joy, happiness, youthfulness, excitement and peace. However, when one sows the seed of sin, sin’s fruit will surely be the harvest! “Be not deceived, God is mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). One can never reap apples from a peach seed. Neither can one ever reap joy and happiness from the seeds of sin.
Sin promises great things, but it always leaves its victims at a loss. In this world, sin will cost a person more than he or she can ever imagine, but even more expensive is the eternal price paid for indulging in sin! “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To Day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Beware, sin wears a mask!
