THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER -- FALL 2025

DISTRACTION, DECEPTION, AND DISILLUSIONMENT

There are 3 tactics the devil uses to disrupt a Christian’s life. I will call them the 3 D’s. These tactics have not changed since the beginning, since Lucifer was cast out of heaven. They simply take on different manifestations according to each individual and the age we live in. Being aware of them will help keep us on the straight and narrow road leading to heaven. 

The 3 D’s are Distraction, Disillusion and Deception.

Distraction is that which divides the attention, or prevents concentration. It amuses, entertains, and diverts attention from what is important.

Disillusion means to free from or deprive of belief.

Disillusionment is the loss or destruction of idealistic beliefs.

Deception is the act of deceiving, the state of being deceived, fraud.

To deceive is to mislead by false appearance, to falsely persuade.

          We first see these 3 D’s at the beginning-  in the garden of Eden.

God has given explicit instructions to Adam, who was responsible to relay them to Eve. There is only ONE tree you cannot eat from. The entire rest of the garden is yours to enjoy.

          The serpent (whose form Lucifer took on) decided to appeal to the carnal side of humanity. God gave man CHOICE. And this is where the serpent found an advantage. Calling to Eve, he pointed out the beauty of the forbidden fruit. Distracted from Adam, losing concentration on her surroundings, Eve listened to his voice. Her first mistake was allowing herself to be distracted. She was innocent and the serpent took full advantage of her. Distraction became the lust of the flesh.           Next came disillusion. The fruit really did look good to eat. Now that her attention was fully on the forbidden, she allowed herself to set aside the beliefs instilled by God’s simple command- don’t eat it! She saw that it looked good- the lust of the eye. 

          And finally, deception set in. The serpent lied and said “you won’t surely die. You will become as wise as God.” Pride entered her heart and she gave in, taking a bite of the fruit. She then gave it to Adam, who also ate. Thus began the downfall of humanity. God immediately protected them by covering the tree of life so they would not remain in their sinful state forever. Then He cast them out of their paradise- the consequences of sin that no one likes to talk about.

          The Bible tells us that David was a man after God’s own heart. The genealogy of Jesus comes through David. Yet the 3 D’s were successfully used on David. A strong king with several wives and many children, a mighty warrior and a devout worshipper of God, yet David became bored and distracted. Rather than leading his army as he should, he remained at his palace and became distracted by someone else's beautiful wife. He allowed his lust to control him and sent for her. The lust of the eye quickly escalated into disillusionment. ‘No one will ever know. I can have one afternoon of pleasure. I’m the king! Who can tell me I cannot?’

Then Bathsheba became pregnant and David jumped into deception. ‘Bring Uriah home and all will be well. My sin is hidden.’

          But Uriah was a man of integrity and it cost him his life. David fell headfirst into deception and had Uriah killed, then married Bathsheba. The only good part of this story is David’s repentance when he was found out. Still, the consequences were great EVEN THOUGH HE REPENTED!

          Satan still uses these three things today. We must be on guard against distraction- the things that keep us from church, from reading our Bible and praying, that cause us to see faults in others and in the church. If we are not careful, disillusion sets in. Our focus becomes distorted. We see people and problems rather than God and solutions. And finally, deception has us believing no one, including God, cares for us. Life is difficult because we feel alone in our struggles. Others try to help but until our focus becomes completely on Jesus, we will allow deception to win. 

          It is a daily struggle! That is why Paul said ‘I die daily.’ Not a physical death but a death to self. A death to my will, replacing it with God’s will.

          Be aware of the 3 D’s, the same tactics since the world was created. Listen to the good counsel of our spiritual leaders. Apply discipline to your life. Live in God’s Word. Recognize distraction and learn to avoid it before we become deceived. 

We CAN live for God. We CAN be used by God. We ARE saved by His grace and we WILL be witnesses and lead many to Christ. This is what is important. Put your focus upon Jesus and kill fleshly desires before they have the chance to destroy you. Pray for and with your church family. We need each other. You are never alone!