Beware Self - of Deception!

[Esther]

I think this thread is right on topic of todays plight.

We are such a "me" generation it becomes easily to deceive ourselves into what "we" want.

Good thread brother, as usual.

[stmatthew]

Good eating right here!!!

[TalkLady]

Originally Posted by Actaeon

When we suffer from self-deception—Self-deception becomes rooted in our thinking, and visible in our activities. Or, to look at it in reverse – what we do, or how we act is in reality a product of our belief system (right or wrong). Therefore, if our believing is wrong then our actions will be wrong.

For those that have been deceived and are thinking wrong as a result of that deception, then they need to adjust, re-set, and refocus areas of their thinking that have been subjected to deception. Replacing them with truth, and ultimately seeing the conformation of truth in their actions (bring forth fruits worthy of repentance).

Please take a look at the Corinthian Church: The Corinthian church had tremendous access to the Scriptures. They had availability of the Bible. They enjoyed apostolic teaching and writings. The Corinthian church had a pedigree of preachers. Paul had founded the church. Apollos had continued the ministry in the church. Peter and his teaching had been referenced in their midst. Indeed, the Corinthian church was highly gifted. 1 Cor. 1:7, “Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.”

BUT… The Corinthian church developed their own “wisdom” and disregarded God’s Word. 1 Cor. 3:1-2, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.”

The Corinthian church put man’s wisdom ahead of God’s. Ultimately, they were exalting man’s wisdom over God’s ideas for them. They looked at what they had and said – we are spiritual. The Corinthians were content to boast of their great logic and their supposed well of wisdom that came from their own fleshly desires. They were deceived—self-deceived. They could abuse the gifts of the Spirit and have adultery and incest among them and rather than be shamed they boasted of their liberty in Christ. Self-deception is a darkness of which few lights can penetrate.

Is it possible that the Corinthian scenario could fit much of Pentecost today?

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.....I know one thing for sure above all others - I am nothing without Jesus Christ and I know that the help of man is vain.....However, God uses people to do His work. We are the instruments that He choses. As we all know, we shouldn't be so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good. Also, we should not be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.

Thanks for this post!