Bible Study The Strong Delusion

[markathome]

What's the difference between Reality and Fiction?

If I have a thought of Lust in my mind at the beach, it's just a Fictional story?
Jesus says otherwise?

If I'm Baptized in a video game(BioShock) and then run around with an AO mark on my hand, etc, it's just Fiction?
Jesus says otherwise?

If I run around in a video game killing other players after having a bad day, etc, it's just Fiction?
Jesus says otherwise?

If I run around saying people are Idiots, Stupid, Retards, etc, it's just Fiction?
Jesus says otherwise?

Delusion:an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder.

Mathew 5: 21-22
Matthew 5:27-28

 

[Nathan]

What's the difference between Reality and Fiction?

If I have a thought of Lust in my mind at the beach, it's just a Fictional story?
Jesus says otherwise?

If I'm Baptized in a video game(BioShock) and then run around with an AO mark on my hand, etc, it's just Fiction?
Jesus says otherwise?

If I run around in a video game killing other players after having a bad day, etc, it's just Fiction?
Jesus says otherwise?

If I run around saying people are Idiots, Stupid, Retards, etc, it's just Fiction?
Jesus says otherwise?

Delusion:an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder.

Mathew 5: 21-22
Matthew 5:27-28

This is a good word. Very good post. Often times delusion is thought of as something "else" than reality, not associated with reality, not something that is a contradiction of what we see in true reality.

So God's strong delusion, would really seem to indicate it will be a total contradiction to a clear and strong reality.

Taking your examples to the 'strong' side of delusion, it would be like;

Engaging in physical adultery with another(not just a lust) and thinking its not real or does not really matter to God.

Physically killing someone and thinking it is not real or does not really matter to God.

Its hard to think that people will be so turned against truth. However, when we think about it, we find that it has already happened - in the days of the flood. And, for that matter, it happened with lucifer himself. A perfect being who saw and served a perfect God, yet was so delusioned to think he could be like God.

This is clearly seen also in the first chapter of Romans. Has anyone ever read this through, and got the sense that it is a prophetic writing that is looking back on the day and age we live in now? I have always thought it referred to the time of the flood, or Sodom and Gomorrah, but you do not find a mention of them. Rather, you find that Paul is referring to the 'wrath of God', which is something we know is coming.

Rom 1:18-21
For 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, namely, 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.

 

[Corn Pop]

A strong delusion is also the prosperity gospel.

God loves you and has a wonderful plan your life.

God loves me? Thats great i also love me. He has a plan for my life?, thats great i also have a plan for my life, and if i accept Jesus he can help me with my plans and we can live my best life now. He wants me to prosper and can help with everything in my life if i accept him.

Do you see the problems.

 

[Corn Pop]

I dont think many know the depth of the things of this world. Every studied the birth certificate?. When people are born they get a number, registed and certified, signed over by the parent to the govn. Its a compulsary sell out to the swamp beast.

 

[Douglas Summers]

This passage speaks strongly to me. My manic break was concerned with the end times and so was my most recent one. I am strongly under the impression that we are in the end of days, and this passage explains why I was hit so hard. I thought it was mental illness, but perhaps it was a strong delusion. Even when I was a child I was terrified of Revelations. Now I know why. I have been in the end times all along. This explains so much. Thanks for posting it.

This delusion is for unbelievers who follow after the lies of Satan as they will be judged along with him for not believing the truth. The born again believer is not deluded. (2 Thess. 2:8-12) It says you are a believer on your member info.?

 

[Mozart's Starling]

This delusion is for unbelievers who follow after the lies of Satan as they will be judged along with him for not believing the truth. The born again believer is not deluded. (2 Thess. 2:8-12) It says you are a believer on your member info.?

I am I misread the passage. My memory is really spotty due to my medications my bad. I might not be deluded at all, I am just kinda scared to acknowledge what I think is happening IS happening. I am under the impression that I am the "last one home". I take that to mean rapture wise. I hate to accept it though because my parents and doctor says there are no signs and I am being paranoid.

 

[Nathan]

I am I misread the passage. My memory is really spotty due to my medications my bad. I might not be deluded at all, I am just kinda scared to acknowledge what I think is happening IS happening. I am under the impression that I am the "last one home". I take that to mean rapture wise. I hate to accept it though because my parents and doctor says there are no signs and I am being paranoid.

What do you mean, "last one home"?

 

[Mozart's Starling]

What do you mean, "last one home"?

The last to be raptured. Keep in mind I am mentally ill, but I honestly think God shared that with me. Never said WHEN it would happen (as that would violate the scripture as no man knows the date), only that I was. But again I must stress this, I do have mental problems and at the time I got that idea, I had some complications medically speaking, but now that I am better I still cannot shake the idea it is true. I dunno.

 

[Nathan]

The last to be raptured. Keep in mind I am mentally ill, but I honestly think God shared that with me. Never said WHEN it would happen (as that would violate the scripture as no man knows the date), only that I was. But again I must stress this, I do have mental problems and at the time I got that idea, I had some complications medically speaking, but now that I am better I still cannot shake the idea it is true. I dunno.

I would simply, and confidently say, you'll be raptured exactly when everyone else is.

Stay in Christ and I guarantee you will not care whether your first or last when the time comes.

 

[Mozart's Starling]

I would simply, and confidently say, you'll be raptured exactly when everyone else is.

Stay in Christ and I guarantee you will not care whether your first or last when the time comes.

You have no idea how much better that makes me feel. Since I was 9 I thought I was damned and I have never quite shaken that fear off. But God is above all, so there is no need to worry. StilI am really just concerned that I am seemingly unable to convince anyone that the end is near. I felt that that the "trumpet" was when Trump dropped the 2nd largest bomb ever, and I also think he is The Lawless One as seemingly nothing can stop him. I have OCD though, so it is REALLY tough not to overthink everything.

 

[Mozart's Starling]

ACCIDENTAL DOUBLE EDITTED OUT

 

[Nathan]

I would like to draw a distinction between two phrases that you have used.

The first it the that the strong delusion is so that they would believe a LIE. But here you refer to it as false beliefs. I would draw a distinction between what is FALSE and what is a LIE.

The delusion begins and ends with the Law. The falling away is a falling away from FAITH to the working of the LAW. It is the Working of the LAW that exposes the Man of Sin.

You know, until the other day I really could not see how this fit in with a particular area of false doctrine. There are no doubt people who totally reject the 'law', but their faith is not in Christ.

Then I realized that those who reject the 'law'(as in what was written in the OT), actually have formed a 'law' from passages in the NT. They hold to that 'law' as the basis of their salvation.

Even people who are totally against any form of religion, who deny Christ, still hold to 'moral law' as their basis for salvation.

Mind blowing when you think about it. You can actually separate all of humanity into two different groups. Those who hold to "a" law for salvation, and those who hold to Christ for salvation.

 

[ezrider]

You know, until the other day I really could not see how this fit in with a particular area of false doctrine. There are no doubt people who totally reject the 'law', but their faith is not in Christ.

Then I realized that those who reject the 'law'(as in what was written in the OT), actually have formed a 'law' from passages in the NT. They hold to that 'law' as the basis of their salvation.

Even people who are totally against any form of religion, who deny Christ, still hold to 'moral law' as their basis for salvation.

Mind blowing when you think about it. You can actually separate all of humanity into two different groups. Those who hold to "a" law for salvation, and those who hold to Christ for salvation.

Are your two groups are identified in Romans 2? Those who have sinned without the law, and those who have sinned in the law.

Romans 2:12
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Romans 2:14-15
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)


There is something that stands out to me here. The Gentiles, which did not have the law, showed the works of the law written in their hearts. The law was already written in their hearts, meaning they already had hearts of flesh. But to those who were under the law, or in the law, the promise was to them that he would give to them a new heart, giving to them a heart of flesh in place of their heart of stone. Where does the stony heart come from? What is it about the law of sin that hardens the heart of flesh and petrifies it, turning it to stone, that they should then need a new heart?


Perhaps like a cave troll from Tolkien's middle earth, they thrived in the darkness, but were turned to stone the instant the light shown upon them!

 

[Nathan]

Are your two groups are identified in Romans 2? Those who have sinned without the law, and those who have sinned in the law.

Romans 2:12
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Romans 2:14-15
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)


There is something that stands out to me here. The Gentiles, which did not have the law, showed the works of the law written in their hearts. The law was already written in their hearts, meaning they already had hearts of flesh. But to those who were under the law, or in the law, the promise was to them that he would give to them a new heart, giving to them a heart of flesh in place of their heart of stone. Where does the stony heart come from? What is it about the law of sin that hardens the heart of flesh and petrifies it, turning it to stone, that they should then need a new heart?


Perhaps like a cave troll from Tolkien's middle earth, they thrived in the darkness, but were turned to stone the instant the light shown upon them!

This should answer your question.

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

 

[ezrider]

This should answer your question.

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Very well. The hardening of the heart comes by the deceitfulness of sin. So how then does sin deceive us cause our hearts to be hardened?

In the story of the prodigal son, could you say that the heart of the older brother had become hardened towards his brother? If the older brother who stayed faithfully serving his father had his heart hardened, then how did sin come to deceive him as well?

 

[Nathan]

Very well. The hardening of the heart comes by the deceitfulness of sin. So how then does sin deceive us cause our hearts to be hardened?

In the story of the prodigal son, could you say that the heart of the older brother had become hardened towards his brother? If the older brother who stayed faithfully serving his father had his heart hardened, then how did sin come to deceive him as well?

I have no idea about the prodigal son story, but it's something to ponder.

How sin hardens our heart is a little different for everyone, but the basis is understanding what sin is.

Sin is missing the mark. Here's the thing, you can't miss the mark if you don't know what it is. So, when you sin, it means you know what the mark is - and you did not hit it.

Sin is divided into two catagories. Intentional and unintentional.

Either way, you still know what the mark is. However, intentional sin is when you intentionally miss the mark - you don't even care about hitting it.

Both kinds of sin will harden a persons heart, one will do it quicker than the other.

The reason a heart becomes hard is because to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When we sin, it means we were trying to hit the mark. So, when we continue to sin, without ever hitting the mark, then things become 'pointless' to us.

In Christ, we hit the mark.

Meaning, when we sin, if we are in Christ, He takes that arrow and puts it on the mark for us when we miss. Of course, if we were trying to hit the mark, this makes us happy - soft heart.

If we were intentionally trying to miss the mark, then it does not make us happy, it makes us sad - or even angry - hard heart.

Those outside of Christ don't have the option of being happy. They miss the mark and have no one to take the arrow and place it on the mark. Those who have never heard of Christs desire to take away our 'misses', are usually very excited that He would do that for them.

This goes way deep really. Good study to do.

 

[ezrider]

How sin hardens our heart is a little different for everyone, but the basis is understanding what sin is.

If I were to continually poke at and point out one of your faults as a man, would it piss you off? What do we do when someone accuses us of sin? If you deny it and then they persist, does it anger you?

The deceitfulness of sin: Are you a hypocrite? Do you commit murder? Do you worship idols?

 

[Nathan]

If I were to continually poke at and point out one of your faults as a man, would it piss you off? What do we do when someone accuses us of sin? If you deny it and then they persist, does it anger you?

The deceitfulness of sin: Are you a hypocrite? Do you commit murder? Do you worship idols?

It depends on if you were confronting me in love, based on your love of God and me, that you do not want me to leave the truth.

If you were consistently pointing out faults because you personally don't like them, then it wouldn't make me mad - it would make me sad.

I assure you, in Christ, you cannot make me mad by showing me how I stray from the truth - if you do so in truth.

Only the devil accuses the brothers. We should never seek to accuse someone of their sin, but we should approach them in love so they will turn from sin and turn to God.

James 5
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

 

[ezrider]

Only the devil accuses the brothers. We should never seek to accuse someone of their sin, but we should approach them in love so they will turn from sin and turn to God.

Only the devil and his children. But there are a lot of Christians who have hardened their hearts and have become the accuser of the brethren.

The deceitfulness of sin.... When I asked are you a hypocrite? Are you a murderer? Do you worship idols? There is only one proper response. Anything else will only lead to deceit.

 

[Nathan]

Only the devil and his children. But there are a lot of Christians who have hardened their hearts and have become the accuser of the brethren.

The deceitfulness of sin.... When I asked are you a hypocrite? Are you a murderer? Do you worship idols? There is only one proper response. Anything else will only lead to deceit.

I am no longer any of those things. I once was, but in Christ I am no longer.

Colossians 1
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The hardening of the heart comes when a person thinks that apart from Christ they are without sin. A person in Christ constantly has that sin dealt with so it has no chance of hardening their heart.

1 Corinthians 6
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.