Deluded
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” - 1 John 1:8.
A few weeks ago I was driving to work and contemplating my life… physically, with a birthday just occuring and my new job and all, and spiritually… where was I? All in all I was in my own little world having what I thought was a pretty decent conversation with myself… I was agreeing with myself that all was well and would be well. All in all I was pretty much minding my own business at 5:35 AM. Till God spoke. Da Da Dum…. 
He spoke the verse I quoted above, and it was so clear and cutting. He was saying to me if I thought all was well, well…. in fact, all was gravely wrong. I saw so clearly how my life’s focus was not on Him. When God said that verse He said it differently than I had been reading it all this time. He said, “… the Truth is not in you.” With a capital ‘T’. Christ Himself. I’m missing HIM in the midst of ME.
I don’t have some great profound answer or ten easy steps to solve the problem, but I can tell you that I have been seeking God and true repentenece in these last few weeks… I feel like such an absolute dolt… I’ve been a ‘christian’ nearly my entire life… I am so ashamed that I am still stuck on the elementary principles of Christianity?! How Christ-like am I really? But, then there is verse 9: “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” The fact is: I am wherever it is that I am; denial is not my friend any longer.Hoping and wishing and believing a lie isn’t going to get me anywhere. I can’t just ‘get by’ any longer!!! There is no just “getting by” in christianity! I need a total life-altering shift of more of Him and less of me.
I’ve been content to be deceived and deluded about the true state of things for too long:
Deceive:
- To cause to believe what is not true; mislead.
- To catch by guile; ensnare.
Delude:
- To deceive the mind or judgment of
“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods, and worship them” -Deu 11:16
“A deceived heart has turned him aside, so he cannot delever his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?” -Isa 44:20
“The pride of your heart has deceived you.” Oba 1:3
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, idolators, adulterers, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, etc, will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you are washed, you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor 6:9-11
“Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Cor 15:33
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal 6:7
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after taht the kindness and love of our God and Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:3-5
