I recently went through a dental procedure that required sedation. I was given mild intravenous sedation that created a hypnotic state where you are not all the way out, but you might as well be. Under that kind of sedation, you forget the pain and the surgery experience.

The sedation reminded me of what can happen in a spiritual sense. A seduction, illusion, or deception can create the same kind of effect in our lives. When we step away from the truth and allow a seduction, illusion, or deception to be injected into our soul we allow ourselves to come under the influence of those issues giving them control over our will to do with us as they please.

I trusted the oral surgeon who performed my dental procedure because I researched his well-established medical credentials and reputation before I gave my consent. Should we not exercise the same level of investigation regarding the influences we allow to compromise our will?

That kind of discernment is formed by three things: the Word of God, the voice of the Spirit, and inviting into our lives the influence of Godly counsel. When those three ingredients are injected into our lives on a regular basis, we will not diminish our spiritual sensibilities, they will be heightened.  

Today, before anyone or anything asks you to go under the influence of their control, make sure the Lord is leading the procedure and not some untrusted entity that desires to gain access to your life to do as they please.