Self-Deception
- Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according the Christ.
- Many church doctrines have arisen from the thoughts of people.
- In the context, the healthy doctrines are those that emphasize
- Steadfast trust in the promises of God
- Walking as Jesus walked
- Being built up
- That we are complete when we are in Him
- Self-deception occurs when
- The promises become toothless, explained away
- We accept that we cannot be like Jesus
- We are discouraged by the teaching
- We accept that we will not be complete
- Matthew 13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the Word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful.
- Self-deception arises when our goal is to be comfortable.
- Self-deception chokes out the Word.
- Self-deception accepts unfruitfulness.
- Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
- Self-deception arises from excusing sin rather than apologizing and turning to the Spirit for more help in that area.
- Self-deception becomes harder to defeat over time.
- One function of the church is to burst one-another’s self-deception bubbles.
- Weekly is not enough. Daily is the recommended frequency.
- 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- Flip side of Hebrews 3:13 (the deception that sin is an acceptable outcome)
- When we do sin (1 John 2:1), we have a helper.
- 2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
- Deceivers in the church generally believe what they say, being self-deceived.
- Deceit and self-deception will not be going away, but rather increasing over time.
- James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives himself, this one’s religion is worthless.
- Excusing our bad choices as inevitable or acceptable is self-deception.
- Self-deception makes us worthless to God because His purpose becomes corrupted.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
- Self-importance is self-deception.
- Recognize that God is a lot smarter than I, as well as many other humans.
- Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- (v4) Justification by comparison is self-deception
- Anyone can be better; that’s the standard that promotes humility.