sermon: I Never Knew You
The Danger of Self-Deception
Martin G. Collins
Given 14-Jan-12; Sermon #1083; 79 minutes
Description: (hide)
Martin Collins, focusing on a survey of college educators and their self-appraisal of their ‘lack of bias,’ coupled with the lesson in Matthew 7:21-23, warns that everybody is in grave danger of becoming self-deceived. All of us are subject to self-deception and self-delusion. Nothing helps us to see God except for living by true holiness and living by His righteous commands. Self-deception occurs when we rely on false evidence regarding salvation, even if it based on a ‘correct’ belief. Established doctrine is essential, but only knowing it is not enough; Christianity must be practiced from the core of the heart in order to be effective. Even some with fervent zeal do not have what it takes to escape self-deception. Unfortunately, the flesh can counterfeit most spiritual attributes, mimicking genuine spiritual gifts. Some pastors have preached the truth, but from an insincere motivation. Some may have even acquired the power to cast out demons, but have disqualified themselves. False miracles and wonders are prophesied for the end times. The spirit in man has demonstrated vast untapped potential, sometimes almost simulating the workings of God’s Holy Spirit. Satan also has spiritual power that sometimes camouflages itself as godly power. We have been admonished and cautioned to enter at the difficult, straight gate. We dare not have a false belief of assurance based on scriptures taken out of context. If we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, we must also take the additional step of doing what Jesus says and yielding to His will. We need to thoroughly examine ourselves, guarding against the danger of antinomianism, denigrating any works. Antinomian teachers falsely claim that we are trying to “earn our salvation” through our works We are admonished to do the will of God the Father, walking the way Jesus Christ walked, internalizing both the letter and spirit of the law. We cannot rationalize our bad deeds by displaying our ‘excessive’ good deeds, as Saul had tried to do with Samuel. If we fail to heed t
Topics: (show)
Advocates Acts 19:13 Antinomianism Balancing Bankrupt Bias Causes of self-deception Counterfeit miracles Cyrus Deceptions Disciplining the body Doing ‘most’ things for the Lord Doing the right things for the wrong reasons Electricity Ends justify the means Enthusiasm Examining motives False prophets Holiness Human reason I Corinthians 6:9-10; 9:27; 12:3-13; 13:1-3 “In the name of Jesus Christ” I Samuel 15:13-23 I Timothy 2:11-15 In Christ’s name Internalizing truth Isaiah 45:4-6 James 2:19 Jewish exorcists Judas Lawlessness “Lord, Lord” Luke 16:14-15 Matthew 5:7:21-23; 24:25; 25 Mystery of lawlessness Jesuits Oblivious hypocrisy Philippians 1:15-18; 2:5-11 Positive attitude Preaching the Gospel of Christ first Pride and faithlessness Prophesying Prove and try the spirit Relationship with God Righteousness Self-deception Seven sons of Sceva ‘Simulating’ God’s Holy Spirit Self-deception Spiritual gifts II Chronicles 36:22 II Corinthians 11:13 II Thessalonians 2:7 Supra-natural healing Tares Traditions Upbeat nature Wheat and tares Women preaching Wonders in the name of Jesus
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