“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.” Proverbs 26:24
Throughout history, people have practiced the art of disguise. Children enjoy wearing costumes to fool Grandma and Grandpa. Adults attend costume parties that give them an opportunity to become someone they are not. And appropriate costuming is necessary to truly enjoy a good play or movie.
Bible people were no exception. Rebekah helped her son Jacob disguise himself to fool his father, Isaac, into thinking he was Esau, his brother. Genesis 27:15,16 says, “Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins.” Genesis 42 tells us that Joseph disguised himself as an Egyptian so his brothers would not recognize him. King Saul put on a disguise when he visited the witch at Endor. And David disguised himself as a madman when he was among the Philistines.
Today’s verse speaks of disguises meant to deceive the Christian. God’s children live in a world that is filled with disguises, and we would do well to learn how to recognize them. The first evil disguise was worn in Eden when Satan appeared to Eve as a friendly snake. Since then he has worn numerous masks and costumes to fool unsuspecting Christians into believing his lies. Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:15 (CEV), “Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you.” In 2 Corinthians 11:14 we read, “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” We must be on the alert for these deceptions. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you recognize the devil’s evil masquerades.
From Precious Words of the Bible by Reynold R. Kremer