“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.
“For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions.” Romans 1:18-26a
“We impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
“God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-14
The opportunities for delusion have multiplied since Eden. The wily enemy of truth and mankind disguises and lies, deceiving his minions to embrace falsehood and false gods, to his delight and their undoing. Any entertaining, any giving in, any relinquishment of will, opens the way for full delusion and the inability to discern what is true. Even when we observe or suffer consequences, even when we are taught his craft, we can never give up vigilance against his wiles. (Genesis 3:1-6; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Peter 5:8)
Many a man is confident of belief. I know my standards, I embrace truth, I will not be moved. Yet, our world packages lies and temptations in nice packages, mantras promising freedom and self-fulfillment, pledges of health or enlightenment or peace. We make gods of political passions, self-care regimens, careers, and family. Without even recognizing the slow-rising tide, we are inundated with warm feelings and new thinking that erode faith and sweep away sound doctrine.
Are we entertaining false teaching through what we listen to, read, or espouse? What signs of being deluded do we ignore out of convenience, spiritual laziness, or peer pressure? How will we train ourselves in truth and right thinking, and guard against delusion? God offers cleansing and redirecting when we honestly repent. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Lord, help me think rightly and worship You alone.
As the rain and snow 