Deception - Pat Moyer

"The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it." Gensis 3:13 NLT

A snake lay coiled in my garden, hidden by the color of the wood mulch. I would have missed him had my husband not pointed him out. I shivered. Just the thought of this hideous creature gave me the creeps. Snakes have an uncanny ability to deceptively blend in with their surroundings.

It was like that from the very beginning—in the Garden of Eden. In a place of perfection, deception found its way inside.

A voice hissed in Eve’s ear, “You can eat that forbidden fruit. You won’t really die if you disobey God’s command.”

Unfortunately for Eve, her husband didn’t point out the deception in those words. He allowed himself to be swayed as well and perfection was lost to all mankind.

Mankind has always struggled to control his destiny. We have been deceived into thinking we can be like God—build our own paradise. We don’t need to do things God’s way. We can gain communion with God our way. Satan has never stopped his attempts to keep us deceived.

Satan’s lies mislead and deceive us but, by the grace of a Holy God, a way was made to get back into the garden. God promised Eve her seed would crush the head of Satan and by His death and resurrection Jesus did just that.

Consider Eve’s words The serpent deceived me. Ask Jesus to show you what you might be trying to control in your own life. Have you been trying to eat forbidden fruit—do things your own way? Go to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness. He will lead you out of deception and into His perfection.


Pat is a freelance writer wife, mother and grandmother and photographer residing in Pottstown, PA. She is a lifetime member of The Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and a lifetime member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. She is past president of the Pottstown Area Garden Club and a C.L.A.S.S. trained speaker. She has been an inspirational speaker for Bible studies, women’s groups, retirement groups, conferences, holiday teas and luncheons. She is currently a member of the teaching team for an adult ladies' Sunday School class. Pat has worked in many areas of church ministry and has served as Director of primary dept. for D.V.B.S., primary dept. Sunday School teacher, Camp Cherith camp counselor, and co-chair for the E.B.C. Women’s Conference.You can reach Pat by e-mail at patricia.moyer @yahoo.com. You may visit her web site at http://www.patmoyer-treasure.net/ and her blog at www.thegardenwayfarer.blogspot.com.

Read Pat's devotions

Wicked - Pat Moyer

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14 KJV

On a recent day trip I happened upon a quaint little craft sale. Beautiful fall arrangements, signs, and harvest decorations were displayed with a line of people anxious to purchase their favorite item. As I perused the menagerie a few things caught my eye and set me to thinking.

A cute little pig hugged his blankey and a sign which said, “Give Thanks.” I don’t know if he was thankful that Turkeys are a favorite food for Thanksgiving. Or maybe he was just telling me to be thankful for all my blessings.

Another decoration with pumpkins, squash, and hay had a sign that said “Wicked Welcome”. I couldn’t help but think how mixed up the world is today. In current slang I guess “wicked” means something good, something kids want to be; whereas in my years as a teenager, “wicked” meant you might be thrown into a juvenile detention center.

My mind wandered back to the “wicked” sign. As distasteful as being “wicked” is to me, that is what we all are before Jesus rescues us. The Bible tells us “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” That means me…my heart is wicked. Or, my heart was wicked. But something changed me—Jesus.

He welcomed me into his arms even when I was “wicked” and he died to save me from my sins. We don’t have the power to change ourselves. But when we listen to God’s call and accept Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection as payment for our sins, he removes the power of Satan that binds us in the kingdom of darkness.

Has God been calling to you today? You, too, can be transformed from “wicked” into a “welcomed” child of God. Answer the call, thank Jesus for what he has done and receive the blessing of eternal life today.


Wife, mother, and grandmother, Pat's home roots are in the Pottstown, PA where she resides with her husband. Pat is a national lifetime member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. and a state lifetime member of Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. She is past president of the Pottstown Area Garden Club. Pat has taught Sunday School, directed D.V.B.S., and directed and co-chaired women's banquets. She has been a Junior Girl Scout troop leader and a Pioneer Club camp counselor. She teaches an adult women's Class and has been an inspirational speaker for clubs, churches, and various events.