Delusion

This one is a little longer than usual, but I think you'll find it compelling. My hopes with this presentation is to inspire you to be curious and consider. And with that driven consideration, to investigate and eventually practice that which you discover to be true.

In conversations about “How to live” as Christians, there seems to be a common, yet considerable disconnect between living “free in Christ” and having convictions about what’s expected of us who walk by faith. Do I have to be a religious zealot, wearing an out loud love for Christ on my proverbial sleeves? Is it sin to watch TV shows and movies with obvious “worldly” themes? Can I be effective for The Kingdom if people around me see me as too “churchy”?

As much as I’m a proponent for the point of view found in Ecclesiastes, I find no contradiction between it and the devoted life of those redeemed into reconciliation.

Here's The Word:

Ecclesiastes 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

It’s not only simple and plain, it’s repeated.

And that’s the real focus that I’m trying to inspire curiosity about: Where is the right line for devotion? I don’t believe that there’s an easy answer. However, I don’t think that this should be discouraging. Thing is, your answer, or rather, your expression of devotion will most likely look very different from someone else’s. As different as we all are, we all have different convictions. The Bible tells us not to judge someone else’s convictions based on ours. Colossians 2:16. Be sure to notice, the expectation is that we weigh our convictions in consideration of expressing our devotion.

Here's The Word:

Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Even though it’s the very cross of Christ, the gift of God, that affords and allows us to really enjoy anything that comes from His hand, a heart inclined to devotion will only seek to receive and enjoy things that are in line with our learned understanding of His character concerning Sovereignty, salvation and sanctification.

And then there’s the flip side.

Hopefully, what I’ve shared so far is clear and straightforward. It would all be well and good if we could look at the trajectory of our lives and an ever-increasing drive towards devotion and holiness dictated by how much we learn from God through the reading of His word, and the leading of His Holy Spirit. HOWEVER. This is not all there is. Actually, far from it. Fact of the matter is, we have an enemy. A thief, and we’ve been given insight into his tactics: John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

If we’re not careful, we’ll only see the fingerprints of that enemy on things stolen, killed or destroyed, we won’t see the depth of his biggest weapon – deception.

How does truth die? Well, the truth can’t die, but it can be destroyed or made unrecognizable to us by neglect. We’re warned more than once to not be deceived, which insinuates that we’re aware of the propensity of forces (inside and out) trying to do just that. The more we’re enticed and persuaded towards things that provide any assemblance of pleasure, the easier it is becomes to be deceived and lead astray, neglecting that truth we’ve been taught.

1 Corinthians 6:9 - 10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Notice that the CHURCH at Corinth HAD to have their attention and affections reattached to the truth. They had to be enlightened to the fact that deception had infiltrated their understanding, causing them to believe that they could be devoted AND be lured by selfish glories (affections).

Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

And lastly, we’ll drop down to the lowest, most dangerous level. The enemy knows the disparaging domino effect associated with deception. The further we allow selfish glories to pull us away from God honoring devotion, the more at risk we become for our deceptions degrading into delusions.

Isaiah 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Take note that in both of these instances, God is referring to His people. The world doesn't have to be deluded, their minds are already blinded by the enemy, evidenced in their unbelief.
The root word Delude has the connotation of not only deception, but mockery. The Bible tells us in (Galatians 6:7) that God is not mocked, but He Himself reserves the right to mock and allow mockery to befall us if we show discontent for the truth, and rather seek after selfish glories.

delude (v.) "deceive, impose upon, mislead the mind or judgment of," c. 1400, from Latin deludere "to play false; to mock, deceive," from de- "down, to one's detriment" (see de-) + ludere "to play".

This small clarification was attached to the definition and I thought it interesting to include:
Mislead means to lead wrong, whether with or without design. Delude always, at least figuratively, implies intention to deceive, and that means are used for that purpose. We may be misled through ignorance and in good faith, but we are deluded by false representations. A person may delude himself. (The Bible affirms that we can deceive ourselves 1 Cor 3:18, 1 John 1:8)

Part of the Disciples prayer is “And lead us not into temptation….”. - ‘We may be misled through ignorance and in good faith’ I think that’s the heart from which we pray. God, protect me from the evil of my own ignorance. This is very different from asking the LORD to stop me from being deceived if I’m not putting in the work of staying devoted and established in His truth.

Matthew 7 presents the clearest presentation of the benefits and exemplification that comes from holding to the truth, versus deceivers and their telltale characteristics culminating in one of the scariest proclamations in Scripture:

Matthew 7:22 - 23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

I believe Our Lord to be genuinely and completely benevolent. Loving us undeservedly but perfectly. Wanting the best for us in the midst of, and in spite of our selfishness. But there is dangerous ground out there and I think that “these” Many were not innocently misled. They’re either outright deceivers, or weren’t conscious or careful about sliding down the slope of deception, even as they made much of their devotion.

In Him,
Cros