Young, vibrant and healthy, my life took a turn in an instant one night. I was 24 when I was defiled and diseased and suffered depression that most never suspected. Daily I put on my strong black woman face to face the days, but my heart was weak, gasping for new life. These are times of desperation when we take measures that mirror the same. And in the depth of my desperation I turned to a method that I had only read about and seen in movies. I heard that this African root doctor, a Muslim Imam from Senegal, had cured people from AIDS. I figured surely he could help me.

I went and received counsel and concoctions fit for a fantasy mystery novel. The root mixtures—distilled water and various tree bark from the Senegalese bush country, and macrobiotic diet didn’t cleanse my blood from disease, but this dark period did shine light on my poor spiritual and physical health. From witnessing some spiritually spooky practices and eating really good food, I learned I needed a savior and to change my eating habits for good. I may have been deceived about who could help me, but I understood clearly what I needed to do. Immediately organic and other health food store items became staples in my diet and a year and a half later I became saved. Even with the truth of the Gospel I still fumbled in the spirit and fed my flesh junk. And from time to time, I still do.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.—1 Corinthians 3:18

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.—Ephesians 5:6

Sometimes I fumble in spirit and flesh because I have deceived myself. Other times men have deceived me. Either way the onus is on me not to be deceived. The same is true for you, and I want to help. In the next series of posts I will examine deception to build our spirits, minds and bodies. The plan is to continue to lay a foundation this week then set aside Mondays for a lesson to feed our spirits, Wednesdays for a thought to strengthen our minds and Fridays for food and other products to nourish our bodies. I look forward to you journeying with me from the harm of deception to the hope in truth.

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith