Self Deception August 2010

Jeremiah 42:1 Then all the commanders of the forces, Johanan the son of Kareah, Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people both small and great approached and said to Jeremiah the prophet, "Please let our petition come before you, and pray for us to the LORD your God, that is for all this remnant; because we are left but a few out of many, as your own eyes now see us, that the LORD your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do."

Jeremiah 42 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard you. Behold, I am going to pray to the LORD your God in accordance with your words; and I will tell you the whole message which the LORD will answer you I will not keep back a word from you."

Jeremiah 42 Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with the whole message with which the LORD your God will send you to us. "Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we listen to the voice of the LORD our God."

Jeremiah 42 The people said the right thing.

Jeremiah 42:7 ‘Now at the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.’ Jeremiah could not hurry the Lord – He waited for an answer.

Jeremiah 42:10 'If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will plant you and not uproot you; for I will relent concerning the calamity that I have inflicted on you. The Lord’s heart is blessing. Tough times at present? Remain positioned correctly and you will be fruitful.

Jeremiah 43:1 But as soon as Jeremiah, whom the LORD their God had sent, had finished telling all the people all the words of the LORD their God--that is, all these words-- Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are telling a lie! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, 'You are not to enter Egypt to reside there'; What do you do when it is not what you want to hear?

Jeremiah 42:20 For you have only deceived yourselves; for it is you who sent me to the LORD your God, saying, "Pray for us to the LORD our God; and whatever the LORD our God says, tell us so, and we will do it." Be honest with yourself and accountable to others

Lies and Truth Satan’s Lies God’s Truth There is no God / there are lots of divine beings. Everything evolved by chance and exists without God. There is no God. God could not care less about you. There is only one God. (Isaiah 44:6) He is the maker and sustainer of everything, and deserves my praise and worship. (Revelation 4:11) He is my Father and he cares about me. (Matthew 6:26)

Lies and Truth Satan’s Lies God’s Truth Jesus was just an ordinary man. Jesus is not Lord, and there will be no judgement. There are lots of ways to God, and it doesn’t matter which you choose. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. (Matthew 16:16, Hebrews 1:2,3) He is Lord of all, and everyone is accountable to him. (Acts 36,42) Jesus is the only way; no one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).

Lies and Truth Satan’s Lies God’s Truth He is not as powerful as the darkness. You are not yet free from the dominion of darkness – you’re a sinner. He destroyed the work of the devil, and has authority over all. (1 John 3:8, Ephesians 1:20-22) God has rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of his Son (Colossians 1:13).

Lies and Truth Satan’s Lies God’s Truth You’re on your own! You can do anything, if you really want to. You’re the same as you always were. I am united to Jesus Christ through my faith in him (Ephesians 1:13). Apart from Jesus I can do nothing (John 15:5) I have been born again (1 Peter 1:23).

Lies and Truth Satan’s Lies God’s Truth You are unacceptable to God (or anyone). Nobody loves you. You’re a mistake. There is no after-life. I am accepted by God (Romans 15:7). I am God’s beloved child (1 John 3:1-3). I am a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

Lies and Truth Satan’s Lies God’s Truth You’re a failure, and nothing will change that. You can’t do anything right. You can’t do anything. You’re a worthless nobody, a waste of space. I am appointed and equipped for fruitful service (John 15:5,16). I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). I am special! (Galatians 2:20)

Be Free I renounce the lies of the devil, and accept the truth about God and myself given to me in the Bible. I accept the Bible as inspired by God, and the ultimate authority for God’s truth (2 Timothy 3:15-17.). I resist the devil, and command him in the name of Jesus Christ to leave me (James 4:7.).

Be Free I know I am in a spiritual battle. I acknowledge that I have no power of my own; I choose to depend fully on Jesus, and I will be strong in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10.). I reject any counterfeit gifts of knowledge or power. I choose to remain in union with Christ in order to bear much fruit and to glorify my heavenly Father (John 15:8).

Be Free I renounce all selfish goals and choose to make love my goal (1 Timothy 1:5.). I choose to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, to love my neighbour as myself (Matthew 22:37-39.), to love my fellow Christians as God has loved me (John 13:34.), and to make disciples wherever God leads me (Matthew 28:19)

Be Free I choose to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15.). I choose to live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). I trust my Father to fill me with his Spirit (Ephesians 5:18.), and I trust the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (2 Timothy 3:15-17) and to enable me to live a life that pleases God (James 4:7).

Be Free I choose to trust those leaders God has placed over me and arrange myself under their godly leadership (Hebrews 13:17). I make a decision to know their hearts and allow them to know me (Rev 2:2).

Free to be a son Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Romans 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.