What a Strong Delusion Looks Like
Jesus was so clear[1] that His disciples were instructed to not be that way.
While the Testaments are also clear that you may legally apply for a multitude of benefits through a socialist state, but not without consequences. Dependence upon "legal charity" will make you "merchandise", "curse children" and bring again the captivity of Egypt. This is undoubtedly why both the Testaments tells us not to covet.
Those gifts, gratuities, and benefits are the wages of unrighteousness which destroy liberty and degenerate the people into perfect savages because they are the dainties and deceitful meats of rulers provided through the covetous practices of the world which "makes the word of God to none effect".
But the modern Christian does that every day to get free schooling for their children, and social security for their parents and a myriad of other public benefits imagining they are not "workers of iniquity".
How is that the daily ministration of the early Church, the table of the LORD which is not a snare? How is fhat seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness? The Christian conflict with Rome was with the welfare system of the Imperial Cult of Rome and the public religion of the world and others like Herod and the Pharisees which was again "making the word of God to none effect".
We are to live by faith, hope, and charity which is love according to The Way of Christ and not the force, fear, and fealty which was the the ways of the world.
If Modern Christians, Jews, and Muslims would repent and seek to see the truth of their own history they could recover from the strong delusion of public religion. They think they understand the teachings in the Bible but have been doing the opposite of what doctrine of Jesus, Moses, and Abraham were telling their followers to do for over a century
Delusions and deceivers
We see in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:"
- What is this strong delusion?
- What lie do people believe is true but is not?
- And why does God cause it to be sent to the people?
The word we see as "strong" in the text is energeia[2] most often translated "working" or "effectual working".
The word "delusion" is from the Greek word plane [3] from the Greek word πλάνος or planos[4] meaning a wondering or misleading impostor or deceiver.
From the beginning women and men were deceived but that deception was a poor excuse because they knew better.
It was their willing blindness, their choice of darkness rather than the light, and denial of responsibility that compounded their sin of greed and covetousness. They even hid from God which caused them to flee.
Traditional values
Traditional Christian values would be the values of the early Church not those we see in the modern Church who may already believe a lie and are under a strong delusion.
Today, there are thousands of denominations filled with Modern Christians who are all are sure they "believe" and imagine that they are right in their doctrines and not deceived.
They think they are saved based on an interpretation of the Bible. They think they believe in Jesus just like the Pharisees thought they believed in Moses and God.
Titus tells us that people will profess that they know God,[5] but they will actually do so contrary to the will of God the Father that they will call evil good while they indulge in covetous practices and become the workers of iniquity.
They will look to the Fathers of the earth for their daily bread contrary to the early Christian traditions. They will value the rewards of unrighteousness more than the righteousness of God. They will seek the dainties of rulers and men who call themselves benefactors but exercise authority. The will eaten at their tables of rulers that are supposed to be for their welfare but are a snare and a trap.
Sit in darkness
Like the Pharisees they sit in darkness and have their own blind guides. Forever studying with a form of self-righteousness claiming godly faith[6] but loving the wages of unrighteousness choosing the darkness rather than the light.[7]
Many[8] modern Christians have become subject to a new cognitive dissonance and they cannot see that their mind and conscience has been defiled.[9]
Their willing blindness and seared conscience[10] an with their desire for the wages of unrighteousness and the covetous practices of the world. If they had received sound doctrine[11] they would not have consented to the One purse of socialism nor returned to the bondage of Egypt becoming human resources of the world.
Peter warns us that we will become merchandise and curse children. He uses the same word we see as delusion but it is translated error in:
- 2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error <4106>.
And in:
- 2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error <4106> of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
It is very clear that there is a real danger that through our own wantonness and desire for benefits of the world and what the Bible calls the Reward of unrighteousness to say nothing of the covetous practices that Peter warned us about. We sit in darkness again so that many have been deceived again becoming entangled in a yoke of bondage and have lost our liberty under God becoming human resources[12] cursing our children with debt.
God the Father and Jesus desires us to free. We are to be in the "world" and not of it. We are not to pray to the Fathers of the earth or the Benefactors who exercise authority one over the other. We are not to covet anything of our neighborwhich means your "fellow man" or "according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet".[13]
In Jude 1[14] we see this word delusion again translated error in relation to the error of Balaam which is the same as the deeds of the Nicolaitan and Cain. These deeds and errors are the same covetous practices done by the Pharisees with their Corban which made the word of God to none effect and now done daily by millions of Modern Christians who may seem nice but are under the same iniquitous and strong delusion.
Jesus tells us that "many" will think they are Christians but will actually be Workers of Iniquity and not even know it.[15]
How do we know we are saved
One common verse tells us that "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:"[16] But that one verse does not tell us if we are saved but only those who truly believeth that Jesus is the Christ. The Christ was the anointed, the highest son of David the king of the Kingdom of God at hand.
Jesus as the Christ and king was telling his disciples and us how we were to act and behave while seeking His kingdom and the righteousness of God. If we truly believe in Jesus as the Christ we will keep his commandments.[17]
It is very clear that there will be false Christs, images of Christ, Apostles and doctrines claiming to be of Christ but are not.[18]
So, to answer the question above "How do we know we believe in the real Jesus with real faith in Him?"
We simply have to ask are we keeping the commandments of Jesus?
Are we truly seeking, striving, and persevering to follow His teachings or doctrines?
It is clear by His own teachings that you can hear with our ears His words and yet still misunderstand the truth of them in our hearts.
- Luke 8:12 "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
We are warned not to be deceived into thinking that we do not have to be righteous or do righteously in our lives. It is therefore clearly seen that if we are sinning we are not of Christ. If our policy in this life is a sin or given to sin then we are not of Christ nor do we truly believe in Him.
- 1 John 3:7 "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
If we are truly Born again of God then we should not see sin and if we see sin that is evidence that we do not yet believe in spirit and truth and have need of repentance.
- 1 John 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."
Whoever truly loves Christ Jesus would also love his brother and would not commit acts of unrighteousness against him or His brethren. We know by Christ's own words that what we do to the least of His brethren you do also to Christ, so if you love Christ you will love your His brethren and if you love not His brethren then you love not Christ.[19] So by your love or lack of love you will have evidence if you are saved not saved.
Some say there are two ways to know if you are saved.
- 1. We have placed our hopes for heaven entirely on Jesus according some doctrines quoting John where he says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 John 5:13
- 2. You have a new nature. Saying that it is your life that best reflects your love for God. But what is that nature and what is the evidence of that nature so that we may know we are seeking true righteousness and doing the Father's will?
To say our hope is "entirely" resting on Jesus is a value judgment of the mind.
We know we should love the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.[20]
But do we know our own mind?[21]
Men are not always in their right Mind?[22]
If we are proud or vain we may not be saved in our right minds but only in our imagination saved.
- Luke 1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Here we see the Greek word dianoia normally translated mind translated imagination[23]
This word mind is also translated from the Greek nous[24]
Depending on the mind to know if you are saved is like eating of the tree of knowledge to guide your walk with God.
Being saved is just returning to that which we were meant to be.
God is spirit and made us in His image.
In the beginning there was spirit which shaped all for life.[25] It moved upon the waters and Man is mostly water.
God gave us the breath of His life [26]
All life and law come from the Spirit. Until the Spirit is saved the body and the soul cannot be saved.
Can anyone tell you that you are saved?
Does anyone, especially you, have the right to make that judgement?
Do we have the ability to make that mental perception with something as fragile as our Mind?[27]
What would be the evidence that our minds see clearly the truth of Christ?[28]
What would be the evidence that we are deceived about our faith?
It is written that we do not know what God hath prepared for them that love him. But God reveals unto us by his Spirit... For what man knoweth except by spirit? For salvation is of God and no man knoweth the things of God except Gods Spirit.[29]
We may seek to serve and in the hope of His purging so that His sacrifice be not void in us. Our hope is that His spirit gathers in us that we may be saved.[30]
We should not glory in the thought of our salvation for our own pride may leaven our walk.[31]
We must allow ourselves to be purged of the leaven of pride.[32]
Christ did very little testimony of himself but let his works testify of him.[33]
So why do we need to say we are saved?
Say rather I seek salvation for that is His first command seek the doing of righteousness in service one to another. Are we saved by the testimony of our own mouths?
We should be careful not to err is a gift from above from the Father of lights. It is by His own will that we be his creation. We should be swift to hear and slow to wrath for that we not be the righteousness of God. So we should be setting aside all filthiness and naughtiness so that we may receive with meekness that which is able to save your souls. We are told to be doers of the word for if not we are deceiving our own selves. For if any be a forgetful hearer and not a doer of the work he shall not be blessed. And if not blessed then not saved.[34]
While we seek salvation and its blessings we know we err and seek to be converted and even perfected in the truth.[35]
Then the Father will breathe his life into us again.[36]
Our salvation is His spirit in union with our own by our submission to His will.[37]
How do we know we believe or anything if we depend upon our minds?
- ↑ Matthew 21:43 "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."
- Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
- Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: "
- Matthew 20:25 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them."
- Mark 10:42 "But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them."
- ↑ 1753 ~ἐνέργεια~ energeia \@en-erg’-i-ah\@ from energes (1756); n f AV-working 4, effectual working 2, operation 1, strong 1; 8 1) working, efficiency 1a) in the NT used only of superhuman power, whether of God or of the Devil
- ↑ 4106 ~πλάνη~ plane \@plan’-ay\@ from 4108 planos (as abstractly); n f AV-error 7, to deceive 1, deceit 1, delusion 1; 10
- 1) a wandering, a straying about
- 1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither
- 2) metaphor
- 2a) mental straying
- 2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion
- 2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting
- 2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud
- 2a) mental straying
- 1) a wandering, a straying about
- ↑ 4108 ~πλάνος~ planos \@plan’-os\@ of uncertain affinity; adj AV-deceiver 4, seducing 1; 5
- 1) wandering, roving
- 2) misleading, leading into error
- 2a) a vagabond, "tramp," imposter
- 2b) corrupter, deceiver
- ↑ Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
- ↑ 2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- ↑ John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.“
- ↑ Matthew 7:22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
- ↑ Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
- ↑ 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
- ↑ Titus 2:1 ¶ But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
- ↑ Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
- ↑ 4139 ~πλησίον~ plesion \@play-see’-on\@ neuter of a derivative of pelas (near); adv AV-neighbour 16, near 1; 17
- 1) a neighbour
- 1a) a friend
- 1b) any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation and commonwealth
- 1c) according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet
- 1) a neighbour
- ↑ Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
- ↑ Matthew 7:22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
- ↑ 1 John 5:1 "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."
- ↑ Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
- Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
- John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
- John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
- John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
- ↑ Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
- Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.
- 1 Corinthians 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
- Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
- ↑ Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
- ↑ Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
- Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
- Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
- ↑ Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
- ↑ Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
- Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
- ↑ 1271 ~διάνοια~ dianoia \@dee-an’-oy-ah\@ from 1223 and 3563; n f AV-mind 9, understanding 3, imagination 1; 13
- 1) the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring
- 2) understanding
- 3) mind, i.e. spirit, way of thinking and feeling
- 4) thoughts, either good or bad
- ↑ 3563 ~νοῦς~ nous \@nooce\@ probably from the base of 1097; n m AV-mind 21, understanding 3; 24
- 1) the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining
- 1a) the intellectual faculty, the understanding
- 1b) reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognising goodness and of hating evil
- 1c) the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially
- 2) a particular mode of thinking and judging, i.e thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires
- For Synonyms see entry 5917
- 1) the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining
- ↑ Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
- ↑ Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
- ↑ Revelation 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
- ↑ Hebrews 8:10 For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:
- ↑ 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
- ↑ 1 Corinthians 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
- ↑ 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
- ↑ 1 Corinthians 5:7 ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
- ↑ John 10:25 ... the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
- ↑ James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
- ↑ James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
- ↑ John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
- ↑ Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.