How have we been tricked?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: In my lifetime immorality is certainly at an all-time high, and I don’t mean just in the physical sense. It’s shocking to see the high percentage of people in our country who are running after socialism as the preferred way of life. How have we been tricked? – C.I.
A: To God, purity is first a matter of the heart, then of action. Put in those terms, people may declare, “That’s ridiculous. No one can live up to that commandment.” Purity doesn’t only mean fleshly purity as in the immoral behaviors of life. Many people are seeing the threat within our nation – the moral decay. It causes some to ask, “What’s behind this emphasis on impurity, dishonesty, and immorality? How can it be stopped?”
This isn’t only the problem in America. It is just as bad in many other parts of the world. In a lecture at the University of Moscow many years ago, a communist leader said, “America needs to be softened and prepared for communism.” A part of the softening process which he suggested was to stimulate immorality – especially among youth – throughout the nation.
Behind this systematic plan to destroy the morals of a nation is a supernatural satanic power. Job once said, “The earth is given into the hand of the wicked” (Job 9:24, NKJV).
The Bible teaches that Satan is the “god of this world,” and that he has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan can transform himself into “an angel of light” deceiving even Christians.
In selling immorality wholesale, Satan plays up the momentary thrill, but the consequences of these vicious sins are played down. Satan never speaks of the remorse, the futility, the loneliness, and the spiritual devastation which go hand in hand with dishonesty and immorality.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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