“No man was ever so much deceived by another as by himself.”
—Fulke Greville
A few thoughts on that most common of deceptions: self-deception.
End times man is surrounded by deception on all sides.
It is little wonder that end times man is almost hopelessly deceived.
One of the worst deceptions is self deception. Self-deception is particularly bad because the self-deceived are so difficult to remedy. The self-deceived not only try to justify and defend their deceptions, they seemingly do not listen to someone who tries to warn them of the consequences of their deception; who gives them the truth.
It is suspected this is because the self-deceived have not only accepted the lies they have told themselves, they have grown comfortable with the lies and made them a part of their everyday lives.
Man not only lies to himself, he tells himself more lies as to why it is necessary for him to lie to himself in the first place.
“Self-deception helps us deceive.”
—David Livingstone
Read very much about self-deception and one thing becomes perfectly clear: those who lie to themselves will also lie to others.
Sometimes, this happens knowingly.
Sometimes, unknowingly.
In fact, the best liars are those who most easily lie to themselves.
“We lie best when we lie to ourselves.”
—Stephen King
Most know the person who is experiencing physical or mental troubles because of their destructive behavior (smoking, over-eating, bad relationships, enduring mental or physical abuse, drugs, alcohol, etc.). The person will often defend their behavior by making light of it. Sometimes the person will AGREE with the person trying to “talk sense to” (warn) him–just to get that person to shut up.
“It’s not as bad as it looks–or feels.”
“I know I should quit. This is killing me!”
“We all have to go sometime.”
Telling yourself lies does not have to make sense: many times, one lie will be contradictory to a second lie which the person believes.
It makes little difference if it “makes sense” or not.
“At the most basic level, self-deception is fooling ourselves into believing something that is false — or — not believing something that is true.”
—Cortney S. Warren
Self-deception becomes easier when the deceived quit challenging the stories they are told. The deceived may have the wherewithal to verify or disprove what is claimed, but to do so is “just too much trouble.”
One common lie all deceivers tell themselves and others: that they are unaware of when they deceive themselves.
ALL who are self-deceived are very good at constructing their own false realities in which to live.
This makes it easier to believe the lies one has chosen. It also makes it harder to come in contact with those who might tell the deceived the truth (which most do NOT want to hear).
Constructing a false reality is not only a sign of self-deception, it is a FORM of self-deception as well.
—Constructing One’s Own Reality Begins with Self-Deception
FINALLY, all ongoing, long-term deception is a spiritual problem.
It results from a lack of the Holy Spirit, which will lead the one who is Spirit-filled into all truth.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
–John 16:13
How sad that those who need God’s Word (the ONLY source of truth) and God’s Holy Spirit are those who have been indoctrinated (usually at an early age) against the truth.
Does the reader know someone who is woefully self-deceived, but cannot seem to be able to “reach them”?
Often this is because the same ineffective remedies are tried–over and over and over again–without the least little bit of long-term success.
One definition of “insanity” has been said “trying the same thing more than once but expecting different results.”
Change tactics: offer them the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What does the reader have to lose?
Deception is the singular problem of the end times. This includes self-deception.
The source of deception is Satan, who is an accomplished liar.
” And the great dragon…that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world”
–Revelation 12:9
The “cure” is God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.
MORE: Self-Deception is the Worst Deception
DOES the reader sometimes wonder if he has everything in life in its proper place?
DOES the reader KNOW he is missing something but doesn’t want to spend that much time fixing it?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: May 1, 2019.]
MORE
- Self-Deception is the Worst Deception
- Constructing One’s Own Reality Begins with Self-Deception
- How Modern Reality is Manipulated
- Crushing the Life You THOUGHT You Had
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
- Escaping Deception: Five Observations
- The Bells and Whistles of a Normal Day
- Control of the Access Points of Reality is Control of Reality
- GASLIGHTING: Control of One’s Connections to Reality IS Control of That Person’s Reality
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by Jeremiah James
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Wikimedia Commons/pd
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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