MORE OF THE DANGERS OF SELF-DECEPTION
Matthew 7:21-23

In our last study I shared with you that Matthew 7:21-23 was a troubling passage for me.  Every time I read these verses I am forced to do an examination of my own relationship with Jesus Christ.  I certainly don’t want to be deceived.  We noticed that these people were never intimate with Jesus for Jesus says that He never knew them.

We also discover that they practiced something different from what they preached.  Jesus calls them evildoers.  The Greek word used here is a present participle that indicates a continuous, regular action.  What they said and what they did were not one in the same.  I am reminded of similar words from Jesus as recorded in Luke:  And why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord” and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46).  Or, there are these words from Isaiah that also speak similarly:  Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote… (Isaiah 29:13).

Now, you may be ready to ask me how these people could have done what they claimed to have done?  Perhaps they were allowed to do these things by the power of God.  We have the example in the Old Testament of Balaam who was a false, heathen prophet, but through whom God chose to utter His message to Israel and to Midian.  Perhaps they were allowed to accomplish these things by the power of Satan.  Jesus, in His teaching known as the Olivet Discourse, concerning the last days, said, For false christs and false prophets will arise and shall show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24).  We know that Satan is capable of imitating the power of God for the purposes of deceiving the elect.  But, perhaps these were just false claims.  These miracles, healings, and prophecies were faked and contrived.  I am reminded of the work of the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28.  She was as amazed as anyone when Samuel indeed did appear before her and King Saul. 

The consequence to these self-deceived people was to hear the words of Jesus, “Depart from Me.”  This thought has the connotation of an eternal separation from Christ.  We hear these words again in His parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25.  The goats were commanded to depart into the eternal fires of hell. 

Oh friends, these are most disturbing words indeed.  All around us are those who are pretending to speak and to act for God, yet they have never personally encountered Him.  They not only deceive themselves but, sad to say, so many others also.  Oh may God give us the ability to discern.  Please join with me for our next study as we ask ourselves the question:  How can we be deluded in our faith?

Father, Once again our hearts have been shaken as we have thought of those who are living a life of deception.  Father, please awaken them from this grievous error before it is eternally too late. And give us discernment so we can avoid a similar deception.  We pray this in Christ’s name.  Amen.

 

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