Certainly, no one wants to be deceived and that is why, in this post, I will explore the issue of the self-deceived and the Bible. For being self-deceived will have the most serious consequence of our losing out on receiving eternal life from God.

Bible Quotation of Focus

First of all, before we get some clarity on who God or  what God is, here is our Bible quotation of focus for this post. “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful [lazy] upon his bed.” Proverbs 26:14.

Now, you may be wondering, What does “Proverbs 26:14” mean? It is an example of Bible notation which is a way of referencing the Bible. As it is, the Bible is a collection of books where each book in the Bible consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. For example, the Bible notation “Proverbs 26:14” refers to the book of Proverbs, the 26^th chapter, and the 14^th verse.

Who is God?

Let us, before continuing, consider who or what exactly is God? On reading the Bible, you will find that “God” (Genesis 1:1) and “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) are interchangeable names in the Bible for a divine Family made up of three Persons.  And the members of the Godhead live in loving, joyful, peaceful harmony. How do we know this?

The answer is that God describes Himself in the Bible by saying that He is “God, that cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) and “God is love.” 1 John 4:8. In other words, each of the three members of the Godhead has a character of love that is identical to the character of the others, and, in fact, this love is the only definition of true love in the universe.

And, No, there are not three Gods! Why? Because the members of the Godhead never contradict each other at any time, that is, we can say that they speak with one voice. There has never been nor ever will be any disagreement or contention among them. Therefore, we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32.

Further, each Person in the Godhead, the divine Family, is “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” Hebrews 7:3.

So, what are the names of these three Persons in the Godhead? Their names are “the Father” (Matthew 11:27), “the Son” (Psalm 2:12) also called Christ (Matthew 1:1), and “the Holy Spirit” (Psalm 51:11).

OK, with this understanding of who God is, a related question is, Who is Jesus? The name Jesus was given to Christ when He was born as a baby boy on earth over 2,000 years ago.

Who is Satan?

At this point, we want to understand who is Satan. He is an angel whom God originally named “Lucifer.” Isaiah 14:12. Satan rebelled against God in heaven and caused some of the other angels to also rebel against God.

Since God’s ways are the ways of perfect love, Satan and his angels’ rebellion was evil. And, because Satan and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) refused to stop sinning, God cast them all out of heaven pending God’s Judgment Day.

And it was Satan who came to the first human pair whom God had created, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, in their garden home on earth. Satan tempted Eve to sin and she yielded to his temptation and sinned and was followed by her husband, Adam, who also sinned.

Now, by God’s great law of heredity, all of Adam and Eve’s descendants, that is, every human being has inherited Adam and Eve’s disposition to sin and, so, have become sinners too.

So, what is to be the fate of the human race as sinners? “The wages of sin is [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Praise the Lord!

But how does one who is sinner qualify for eternal life from God? Continue reading and I will explain.

The Self-Deceived Among Humanity Think That They are Right

To all humanity, God says, “There is a [self-deceived] generation that are pure [from evil and wrongdoing which is sin] in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness [of evildoing].” Proverbs 30:12.

In other words, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a [self-deceived] man [to a self-deceived person], but the end thereof are the ways of [eternal] death [which is to be annihilated by God because of their sins].” Proverbs 16:25.

To repeat, God says, “All the ways of a [self-deceived] man [of a self-deceived person] are clean in his own eyes” (Proverbs 16:2), in that, “every way of a [self-deceived] man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD [God] pondereth [considers] the hearts.” Proverbs 21:2.

“For he [or she being self-deceived] flattereth himself [or herself] in his [or her] own eyes, until his [or her] iniquity [wickedness] be found to be hateful [in God’s eyes]” (Psalm 36:2), “because he [or she] was righteous in his [or her] own eyes.” Job 32:1.

In sum, God says, “Ye [the self-deceived] are they which justify yourselves before men [before every  human being]; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men [among humanity] is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15.

“For if a man [a person being self-deceived] think himself to be something [righteous], when he is nothing [but a sinner], he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6:3.

If they yield, however, to the Holy Spirit, they will be led to repentance (sorrow for sin) through a knowledge of his or her own sinful condition. And “I [God] say…to every man [to every human being]…not to think of himself [or herself] more highly than he [or she] ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man [to every human being] the measure of faith [in God].” Romans 12:3. Now everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit. And repentance and faith in Christ will result in God forgiving their sins and cleansing them from all sin so that they are “justified” (Romans 5:1), that is, in right standing before God.

The Self-Deceived and Satan

Christ says, “Why do ye [being self-deceived] not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.” John 8:43.

“Ye [the self-deceived] are of your father the devil [of Satan], and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44.

“Ye [the self-deceived] do the deeds of your father [Satan].” John 8:41. “Ye are from beneath; I am from [heaven] above: ye are of this [evil] world; I am not of this [evil] world.” John 8:23.

You being self-deceived are spiritually “dead in trespasses and sins [in that] ye [have] walked according to the course [the ways] of this [evil] world, according to the prince of the power of the air [who is Satan], the spirit that now worketh in [you] the children of disobedience [to God].” Ephesians 2:1, 2.

For every human being is naturally self-deceived and, hence, “we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of [God’s] wrath [anger because of our sins].” Ephesians 2:3.

Who is a Christian?

True Christians are persons who “repent [have deep remorse and sorrow for their sins] and [who] turn to God, and do works meet [fitting] for repentance.” Acts 26:20.

In other words, true Christians are they who have “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21. Hence, they are said to have been “justified by faith.” Romans 5:1.

For God has worked in the true Christian “to open their eyes [to see their own sins], and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins [from God], and [at the end of the sanctification process to give them an eternal] inheritance among them which are sanctified [made holy] by faith that is in [Christ].” Acts 26:18.

Such people can say in truth, “The love of God is shed abroad [supernaturally poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5.

Therefore, having been forgiven of their sins by God and enabled by God to stop sinning through the love of God in their hearts, God treats the true Christian as if they had never sinned.

Only such people are true Christians, in that, they do good and only good at all times and under every circumstance. For they are like God in character, having a heart of perfect love.

Now, both the self-deceived non-Christian and the self-deceived Christian have this in common—they think that they deserve to receive eternal life from God because of their own righteousness. For they cannot see themselves as they really are, that is, as unrepentant sinners in God’s sight, where unrepentant means that they have no sorrow for their sins.

From this point on then in this post, we will turn our focus to the self-deceived Christian for they, above all other human beings, should be able to see themselves as they really are in the light of God’s law of love. For these are they who should have been transformed in character by God such that they do only good works because they have stopped sinning.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Repentance

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “As the serpent [Satan] beguiled [deceived] Eve through his subtilty [subtlety], so your minds…[are] corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3.

“I know thy works, that thou [the self-deceived Christian] hast a name that thou livest [that you are spiritually alive and, hence, destined to receive eternal life from God], and art [spiritually] dead [and, therefore, destined for eternal death (annihilation)].” Revelation 3:1.

“How shall…[you, the Christian], that are [supposed to be] dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:2.

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his [Satan’s or God’s] servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16.

“For I [God] bear them [the self-deceived Christian] record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge [of God’s ways of love].” Romans 10:2.

“For they [the self-deceived Christian] being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3.

“He [a person] that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy [from God].” Proverbs 28:13.

Thus, the self-deceived Christian think that they themselves are righteous, but they are not, for they commit sin continually. That is, self-deceived Christians have not submitted their will to God’s will so that they, having yielded to the Holy Spirit, thereby give God permission to work in their lives through God’s gift of repentance. Therefore, such people have not repented of their sins even though they claim to have done so.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Faith

God says of the self-deceived Christian, “Unto…[them] was the gospel [which is God’s plan to save humanity from eternal death (annihilation) and instead to give them eternal life] preached…but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For…[they] which have believed [the gospel] do enter into [God’s spiritual] rest.” Hebrews 4:2, 3.

“Therefore it remaineth that some [people]…must enter…[into God’s spiritual rest, despite the fact that]…they to whom it was…preached entered not in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:6.

Why is God so concerned about our faith in the gospel, which is to say, our faith in Christ? The reason why is that it is only when “Christ…dwell[s] in your hearts by faith [in the gospel]; that ye…[are] rooted and grounded in love [through the work of the Holy Spirit].” Ephesians 3:17. And this love is what gives spiritual rest from the sinner’s constant striving to obtain all that they perceive the world has to offer.

Thus, a person who repents of their sins but does not believe the gospel falls short of giving God their permission, or in other words, falls short of being willing, to have God’s love poured into their hearts. Such fall short of being spiritually born again and, therefore, fall short of entering into God’s spiritual rest.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the [sins of the] world: and this is the victory that overcometh the [sins of the] world, even our faith [in Christ].” 1 John 5:4.

So, God says to all Christians, including the self-deceived Christian, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the [Christian] faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates [rejected by God as Christians]?” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

For the self-deceived Christian claims to believe the gospel, but the fact that their lives do not display God’s perfect love proves that they do not, in fact, believe the gospel. That is, their lives are a testimony to the fact that they have no real faith in Christ.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Sanctification

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest [evident in you], which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness [moral impurity], lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance [contention], emulations [malice], wrath, strife, seditions [dissensions], heresies [erroneous beliefs and teachings], envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings [boisterous festivities], and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21.

“But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh [the sinful nature] with the [its] affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:22-24.

“This I [God] say then [to all humanity, including the self-deceived Christian], Walk in [live in accordance with] the [Holy] Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh [of the sinful nature].” Galatians 5:16.

“For the flesh [the sinful nature] lusteth [wars] against the [Holy] Spirit, and the [Holy] Spirit [wars] against the flesh [the sinful nature]: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the [Holy] Spirit, ye are not under the [condemnantion of God’s] law [of love].” Galatians 5:17, 18.

So, in essence, God says that the self-deceived Christian is not in the lifelong sanctification process. For in this process, the Holy Spirit works in a person to perfect them by making them holy after they have been justified by faith, that is, after they have been spiritually born again.

Thus, in the case of the self-deceived Christian, the work of God to make them holy has not yet even begun in them.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: The Mind of Christ

God says, “We [the Godhead] have heard the pride of…[the self-deceived Christian], (he [and she] is exceeding proud) his [and her] loftiness, and his [and her] arrogancy, and his [and her] pride, and the haughtiness of his [and her] heart.” Jeremiah 48:29.

“Though the LORD [God] be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud [who are self-deceived] he [God] knoweth afar off.” Psalm 138:6.

So then, “before destruction [annihilation by God] the heart of man [of a person] is haughty [full of pride], and before honour [from God] is humility.” Proverbs 18:12.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” Philippians 2:5, 6.

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men [of humanity]: And being found in fashion as a man [as a human being], he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:7, 8.

So, when we consider and study the life of Jesus Christ while He was on earth and the extent to which Christ, who is God, humbled Himself, we can see that the self-deceived Christian has no concept of what is humility. For they have not humbled themselves to follow Jesus Christ, the perfect pattern for their life.

They choose their own way of life which is really the way of Satan, and this is one of the things that distinguishes the true Christian from the self-deceived Christian. They do not have the mind of Christ even though they claim to do so.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: The Wisdom from God

God says, “Let no man [no person] deceive himself. If any man [any person] among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” 1 Corinthians 3:18.

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Proverbs 26:12.

This is the condition of the self-deceived Christian. But what does God say of them, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:21.

“This wisdom descendeth not from above [from God in heaven], but is earthly, sensual, devilish [is from Satan].” James 3:15. “But the wisdom that is from above [from God in heaven] is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17.

Furthermore, God asks the self-deceived, “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD [God], or being his [God’s] counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he [God] counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed [showed] to him the way of understanding?” Isaiah 40:13, 14.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”  Romans 11:33.

Here God is saying that the self-deceived among humanity, including the self-deceived Christian, by not living according to God’s words, are acting as if they are wiser than God and as if they could instruct God in the ways of wisdom.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Speech

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “[Your] tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity [wickedness]: so is the tongue among…[your] members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:6.

“If any man [any person]…seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” James 1:26. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33.

“But I say unto you [the self-deceived Christian], That every idle word that men [that persons] shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified [declared righteous by God], and by thy words thou shalt be condemned [to eternal death (annihilation)].” Matthew 12:36, 37.

Be such then that you are “in all things shewing [showing] thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine [in instruction] shewing [showing] uncorruptness [purity], gravity [uprightness], sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned [by God]; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:7, 8.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Compassion

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “If a brother or sister [any person] be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” James 2:15, 16.

“Even so faith [in Christ], if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17. “Learn to do well; seek judgment [to judge righteously], relieve the oppressed, judge [defend] the fatherless, plead for the [cause of the] widow.” Isaiah 1:17.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself [or herself] unspotted from the [sins of the] world.” James 1:27.

For the self-deceived Christian, though they may outwardly do good, lack true compassion for their fellow human beings.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Prayer

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8. Their “prayer…goeth…out of feigned [insincere] lips.” Psalm 17:1.

But know that, “if I regard iniquity [wickedness] in my heart, the Lord [God] will not hear me.” Psalm 66:18.

That is, “the sacrifice of the [insincere lips of the self-deceived and] wicked is an abomination to the LORD [God]: but the prayer of the upright [the righteous] is his [God’s] delight.” Proverbs 15:8.

“For the eyes of the Lord [God] are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [God] is against them that do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12.

Thus, the self-deceived Christian might pray often and make long prayers, but because they are evil and insincere in their ways, God does not hear them. They have no power with God for Satan is their true leader.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Money

To the self-deceived Christian, God says, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain [get money]: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” James 4:13, 14.

“For that ye [the self-deceived Christian] ought to say, If the Lord [God] will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:15-17.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.” Hebrews 13:5.

“And…say [not] in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:17, 18.

For “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

“And…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.

Here God is rebuking and counselling the self-deceived Christian as they are only concerned with their own self-interest, rather than with using the wealth that God gives them to minister to others in the cause of God in the world.

That is, the self-deceived Christian may return tithes, give offerings, and help some people here and there, but they give of their abundance and do not give their all like the poor widow whom Jesus approved of.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Consecration to God

Christ says to the self-deceived Christian, “If any man [anyone] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23.

“He [Anyone] that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” John 12:25.

“If any man [anyone] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26. Here God is speaking of loving God more than other human beings and more than even one’s own life. God is not saying that you should have hatred towards others.

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33.

“Draw nigh [near] to God, and he will draw nigh [near] to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8.

Thus, God is saying that the self-deceived Christian is not fully consecrated to God. Their heart is divided between God and the world, but God does not accept as His people those persons who have a divided heart.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: The Lack of Worry

God says, “Which of you by taking thought [by worrying] can add one cubit unto his stature [to his height]? And why take ye thought for [worry about] raiment [clothing]?” Matthew 6:27, 28. Why worry and say, “What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” Matthew 6:31.

“(For after all these things do the…[worldly] seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” Matthew 6:32.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for [do not worry about] the morrow [tomorrow]: for the morrow [tomorrow] shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33, 34.

“[Know that] God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

Here God is saying to the self-deceived Christian that only those who have found spiritual rest in God can stop worrying about the future. Worry is a sign of worldliness and not a sign of godliness.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Backsliding

Some true Christians sadly become self-deceived Christians, and to these persons God says, “Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [reverence] is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.” Jeremiah 2:1.

“Now the just [the righteous] shall live by faith [in Christ]: but if any man [if anyone being a self-deceived Christian] draw back, my [God’s] soul shall have no pleasure in him…[Be] not of them who draw back unto perdition [to eternal death (annihilation)]; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul [to eternal life].” Hebrews 10:38, 39.

And “if we [Christians] sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth [after we have been sanctified, that is, made perfect and holy by God], there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Hebrews 10:26. In other words, God’s cannot forgive such sin because we had completely overcome all sins and been forgiven by God, and then willfully chosen to go back to our old sinful life.

Thus, God is saying to the self-deceived Christian as those that are sinful, strive to be a true Christian and when this is accomplished, do not turn back to a life of sin. Now, God will draw you to Himself and forgive you of your sins and once again pour His love into your heart, if you have not committed the unpardonable sin.

But it is possible that in your drawing back from God you might have committed the unpardonable sin, in which case, there can be no forgiveness of sins by God.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Trust in God

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “Thus saith the LORD [God]; Cursed be the man [the person] that trusteth in man [in human beings], and maketh flesh [a human being] his arm [defence], and whose heart departeth from the LORD [God].” Jeremiah 17:5.

“For he [the self-deceived Christian] shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.” Jeremiah 17:6.

“Blessed is the man [the person] that trusteth in the LORD [God], and whose hope the LORD [God] is.” Jeremiah 17:7.

Here God is rebuking and counselling the self-deceived Christian that they should not put their trust in human beings, but instead should trust in God. For the self-deceived Christian think that they trust in God when their lives reveal that they do not actually trust in God.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Skillfulness in the Word of God

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “We [the Godhead] have many things to say [to you], and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.” Hebrews 5:11.

“For when for the time ye [the self-deceived Christian] ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles [sayings] of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat [solid food].” Hebrews 5:12.

“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness [the Bible]: for he is a babe [a baby]. But strong meat [solid food] belongeth to them that are of full age [are mature], even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:13, 14.

Therefore, turn to God so that you can say in truth, “Thy [God’s] testimonies [the Bible] also are my delight and my counsellors.” Psalm 119:24.

Thus, the self-deceived Christian, by not having the indwelling Holy Spirit, have a lack of interest in the Bible. Therefore, they do not read and study the Bible for themselves, neither do they do live in accordance with all that the Bible says. As a result, they do not become skillful in understanding the whole Bible so that they can teach it to others.

The Self-Deceived Christian and Good Works: Making Disciples of Christ

God says to the self-deceived Christian, “Behold, thou art called a Jew [a Christian], and restest in the law [in the Bible], and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law [the Bible].” Romans 2:17, 18.

“And [you] art confident that thou thyself [the self-deceived Christian] art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes [of babies], which hast the form of knowledge [of God] and of the truth in the law [in the Bible].” Romans 2:19, 20.

“Thou [the self-deceived Christian] therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man [a person] should not steal, dost thou steal?” Romans 2:21.

“Thou [the self-deceived Christian] that sayest a man [a person] should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege [commit the crime of violating and profaning sacred things]?” Romans 2:22.

“Thou [the self-deceived Christian] that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law [God’s law of love] dishonourest thou God?” Romans 2:23.

“Woe unto you…hypocrites! for ye compass [go around] sea and land to make one proselyte [make one disciple of Christ], and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew 23:15.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in [live in] love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour [fragrance].” Ephesians 5:1, 2.

“Let your light so shine before men [before people], that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

Thus, it is impossible for the self-deceived Christian to make true disciples of Christ, that is, to make true Christians, for they themselves are not true Christians. To succeed in doing so, they must first become true Christians.

The Self-Deceived and Their Reward

Now, God says, “Their [the self-deceived’s] poison is like the poison of a serpent [of Satan]: they are like the deaf adder [deaf snake] that stoppeth her ear; which will not hearken to [obey] the voice of charmers, charming [the snake] never so wisely.” Psalm 58:4, 5. That is, they stop their ears so that they will not hear and obey God’s voice.

And so the self-deceived falsely “call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered [from eternal death (annihilation)].” Malachi 3:15.

However, God says, “ The hope of [eternal life from God of] the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the [self-deceived and] wicked [person of eternal life] shall perish.” Proverbs 10:28.

And “the desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the [self-deceived and] wicked [person] is wrath [God’s anger].” Proverbs 11:23.

So then, “when a [self-deceived and] wicked man [wicked person] dieth, his [or her] expectation [of eternal life from God] shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.” Proverbs 11:7.

“Though while he [the person being self-deceived] lived he blessed his [own] soul: and men [people] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He [the person] shall go to the generation of his fathers [that is, to their fate of eternal death (annihilation)]; they shall never see [the] light [of eternal life, for] man [a person] that is in [this evil world’s] honour, and understandeth not [being self-deceived], is like the beasts that perish [which cease to exist].” Psalm 49:18-20.

And in the case of Christians who should all be righteous, Christ says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, [in acknowledging me as their God] shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he [the person] that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21.

For “many [being self-deceived] will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils [cast demons out of people]? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Matthew 7:22.

“And then will I [Christ] profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [work wickedness].” Matthew 7:23.

God’s Dealings With Humanity

God says, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live [eternally]: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die [eternally]?” Ezekiel 33:11.

“Seek ye the LORD [God] while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the [self-deceived and] wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous [self-deceived] man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD [God], and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6, 7.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man [a person] soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh [to his sinful nature] shall of the flesh [of the sinful nature] reap corruption [that is, reap eternal death (annihilation)]; but he that soweth to the [Holy] Spirit shall of the [Holy] Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7, 8.

Therefore, “Woe unto them [the self-deceived] that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20.

For Satan works “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they [the self-deceived] received not the love of the truth [of the gospel], that they might be saved [to eternal life by God].” 2 Thessalonians 2:10.

Conclusion

We have seen that the self-deceived, including the self-deceived Christian, continue in the same way of life day by day. So, just as in our Bible verse of focus, “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful [lazy] upon his bed” (Proverbs 26:14), they go along in life without knowing God.

For the self-deceived all believe that their way of life will lead to eternal life when, in fact, it will not.

So, God says to you, search your own heart to see if you yourself are self-deceived, and if so, learn to go on a spiritual journey with God which is sure to lead to eternal life.

The Bible Teaches Us How to Obtain Eternal Life from God

“In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word [Christ] was with God, and the Word [Christ] was God.” John 1:1. “And the Word [Christ] was made flesh [was born as a baby boy named Jesus], and dwelt among us [human beings], (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father).” John 1:14. Thus, Christ, whose “name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13) is the One who gave the whole Bible to humanity, from the Bible’s beginning to its end. Further, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8), which is to say, Christ is love.

And every one of you as a human being are to “lay apart [put away] all filthiness and superfluity [abundance] of naughtiness [of wickedness], and receive with meekness the engrafted [the implanted] word [from God, which is the Bible and], which is able to save your souls [from annihilation by God as the penalty for sin].” James 1:21. For the word of God, the Bible, being implanted in us means that “the love of God is shed abroad [is poured] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [the Holy Spirit] which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. So then, “love is of God; and every one [every human being] that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7. This is known as “justification” (Romans 4:25) which is accomplished by our repentance, that is, our deep sorrow for our sins and the gift of faith from God, which when exercised to believe God’s promise of forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin brings us the gift of love from God. Note that everyone receives the gift of faith from God but without repentance people have a superficial faith and not saving (correct) faith that takes proper hold of God’s truth by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Immediately upon our justification, God tests our character to see if we will successfully resist all temptation to sin. Our success depends on our exercising faith in Christ’s keeping power through the Holy Spirit and, hence, we become sanctified (made holy) and thus receive eternal life from God.

And this is life eternal [everlasting life], that they [as human beings] might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent [to the earth as a Deliverer from sin].” John 17:3. Thus, when the whole Bible makes our character a character of perfect love, it means that we know God and, hence, we will receive eternal life from God.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

Image: Behnam Norouzi at usplash.com.