By Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction:  Self deception is a problem and it is all too common.  The Bible has many references to this problem.  As humans, we have a terrible propensity to deceive ourselves in many ways.  Our study today is to look at the many warnings against our tendency toward self deception. 

I.  The deceitfulness of sin.

          A.  Heb. 3:13; (Rom. 7:11).

          B.  Sin is our own doing.  We can’t blame anyone but ourselves (James 1:13-16). 

          C.  Sin will cause us to lose our souls (I Cor. 6:9-10).

          D.  We can not and should not pretend to be sinless (1 John 1:8).  At the same time, we should not fool ourselves into thinking that sinning is an acceptable practice (1 John 3:7-8).  Those who sin are serving their master.

          E.  I’ve recently heard that worldly churches are going to quit talking about sin.  It hurts their self esteem.  So they are going to allow each person to decide what sin is for themselves.  But they won’t talk about it in church.  Hence, we can see how Satan deceives people about sin (Rev. 19:20; 20:10).

II.  The deceitfulness of ourselves.

          A.  1 Cor. 3:18-20.  If you think you are wise, you are a fool.  God knows your thoughts and knows how to trip you up.  Don’t think highly of yourself (Gal. 6:3).

          B.  One trap in thinking great of yourself comes when you try to point out error in another person (Matt. 7:3-5).  If you have deceived yourself to think you are wise in these matters; beware, lest your hypocrisy become known to all.

          C.  We also deceive ourselves by not taking an active part in the Lord’s work (Gal. 6:7-10).  How is God mocked?  By our complacency in the work.  By serving our desires instead of God’s desires.  We mock God when we think we can go to heaven without sowing the seed.  Perhaps we deceive ourselves into thinking that people won’t respond anyway so we do nothing.  The Lord says we will reap if we don’t quit.  So let’s do what we know is good and right by all men.  Let’s teach God’s will.

          D.  James tells us we deceive ourselves if we don’t act upon what we know (James 1:22-25).  It is not enough to know God’s will.  We must do it and we will be blessed in the doing of it.

          E.  If we don’t take our actions seriously, we deceive ourselves and our efforts to be religious and pleasing to God are vain (James 1:26).

III.  The deceitfulness of others.

          A.  Evil men will deceive others while they deceive themselves (2 Tim. 3:13; 2 Pet. 2:13).

          B.  They will try to deceive you with their words (Eph. 5:6-7). 

          C.  We should avoid such men because we may become just like them (1 Cor. 15:33).

          D.  Wouldn’t it be a shame if we were drawn away from serving God (Deut. 11:16)?

Conclusion:  Sadly, many people will be drawn away into false practices while believing they are doing God’s will (Matt. 7:21-23).  Isn’t it sad to see so many people in this world deceiving themselves concerning their own salvation?  Many people will lose their souls because of self deception.  How about you?  Have you been deceived?

Last modified: 05/02/08