As many of you know we have recently become the happy farmers of 26 chickens.  Each day I (even though it is SUPPOSED to be my daughter’s job) gather up 23 eggs from the little nests we created.  

Well, the other day I noticed that this one young hen had been sitting on the end nest each time I visited.  My mother-in-law said she was trying to hatch some eggs.  UT OHS!  We do NOT need more chickens!
 

Each time I would reach my hand near the nest she would let out a horrible sound like a giant pterodactyl that was about to take my hand off!  Seriously, it was funny yet a bit scary.  Ha. (This is what she is doing in the picture below!)

Yesterday I decided she HAD to get off of those eggs.  I placed my daughter’s small plastic rake in the little box to move her and grabbed the “prize” egg that she had been hoarding!

Poor little hen was deceived.  Not by me, but by THIS!  A wooden egg!  Since we had some young hens (like her) who had never laid eggs — we placed one wooden egg in each nest to show them where to lay.  

I guess this crazy hen would have stayed on that egg until she had splinters.  I don’t know.

Well guess what?  NOW she has moved to ANOTHER nest and taken residence over ANOTHER wooden egg!

Job 15:31
Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return.

I thought to myself, “Surely there is a lesson in all of this.”  

Are we ever like this little hen?  

Sometimes we THINK we are on track.  We are doing what appears to be right …

Matthew 24:4
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.”

Jesus was referring to false prophets coming in His Name, but there are many ways we can be deceived.  Some who are single could be in a relationship that doesn’t bring glory to God.  They know this relationship pulls them in the wrong direction yet they continue to “sit on it” and the deception.
Others may have a habit or hidden sin in their lives.  They know it grieves the Holy Spirit yet they continue to “sit on it” and eventually deception is hatched!  If we habitually sin while KNOWING something is an abomination to the Lord, He will turn us over to that sin.

Romans 1:28
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

Deception can also come from the belief of a lie.  It can be so subtle and hidden that you can only uncover it through fasting and prayer.  “Sitting on” this lie throughout a lifetime can “hatch” some bitter fruit in your life.   Sometimes a “root” is formed in your heart from the sneakiest twist of the truth by the devil.
We can be deceived by religious doctrine as well.  We may think we are right — even with the best of intentions, but be as wrong as that hen trying to hatch a wooden egg.

Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Each of us have to seek the Lord and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.
 

To expose deception, choose your friends wisely.  Surround yourself with those who have good fruit in their lives.  Walk with those who are spiritually mature and ALLOW them to speak truth into your life (as accountability partners).  FAST and PRAY.  Spend time each day with the Lord and in His Word.  

Matthew 6:16-18
Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Jesus said, “WHEN” you fast — not IF.  Fasting is a key part of our Christian walk.
So, WHEN you fast, I pray you will discover some hidden things and perhaps find a few wooden eggs!


Bless you today!