• Jeremiah 17:9
    " The heart is deceitful above all things,
    And desperately wicked;
    Who can know it?

     
  • Revelation 3:17-18
    Because you say, "I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing"—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
     
  • Luke 18:9-14
    Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
     
  • 1 John 1:8-10
    If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
     
  • Ezekiel 28:17
    "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
    You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;
    I cast you to the ground,
    I laid you before kings,
    That they might gaze at you.

     
  • Romans 1:18-23
    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
     
  • 1 Corinthians 3:18
    Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Self Deception


Resources

Overcoming (Part One): Self-Deception

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Self-deception plays a critical role in hindering the spiritual growth of members of God's church, concealing their true standing with Him. Under the influence of satan, the great deceiver, and his ministers who appear as angels of light, even infiltrating the church, individuals are led astray. Combined with the deceitfulness …


The Sin of Self-Deception

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jeroboam's actions in establishing new centers of worship at Bethel and Dan, replacing Levitical priests with others, and altering the Feast of Tabernacles were driven by a pragmatic desire for control, reflecting a form of self-deception that appeared wise and convenient to the people. This convenience, sold as a relief from …


Deceptions of the End Time

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Human nature is incredibly self-deceptive. The heart, deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, often avoids admitting the truth at all costs. It is so deceitful that it frequently refuses to acknowledge its own capacity for deception. Lying has become commonplace, with many believing it is acceptable if it does not …


The False Christ Deception

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Self-deception enables individuals to lie sincerely without recognizing their own dishonesty, allowing them to persuade others more convincingly by concealing uncomfortable truths from themselves first. This process originates in the heart, where deceit takes root, and permits people to maintain an outward image of moral purity …


Preventing Deception

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Self-deception arises when individuals rely on their own reasoning and the wisdom of this age rather than submitting to God's revealed truth. Paul warns in I Corinthians 3 that no one should deceive himself by supposing he is wise according to human standards; instead, he must become a fool in the world's eyes to receive true …


Job and Self-Evaluation (Part One): Job's Character

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Human nature carries an innate aversion to self-criticism that produces extensive self-deception. Because it always seeks to present itself in the most favorable light, even to the individual himself, it prevents a person from seeing his true character or behavior as others see it or as it actually exists. When a flaw appears, …


The Heart's Self-Absorption

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, a condition rooted in prideful vanity that puffs a person up with fraudulent inducements intended to mislead into surrendering what is valuable. This deceit manifests as an intentional perversion of truth whose appeals appear attractive yet prove lies that are …


Patterns of Resistance (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Joseph B. Baity

The second pattern of resistance to God is that man lies to himself about the first pattern, in which he elevates his standing in relation to God and fails to submit to His will. These two patterns interact as the root cause of every sinful act. Jeremiah 17:9 states that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately …



For more resources, please see the library topic for Self Deception