1. Strong Delusion

2. Do not trivialize truth 1 Tim.2:4 Ja.5:19-20 1 Pt.1:22 2 Thes.2:9-12

3. I. What? Deception Of Every Kind I. What? Deception Of Every Kind

4. Powerful delusion Deluding influence, NASB Working of error, ASV Cause them to be greatly deceived, NLT Ends in condemnation (to judge as guilty) ‘Holy’ relics False miracles

5. I. What? (Deception Of Every Kind) II. Who?

6. People who... Do not love truth, 10 Do not believe truth, 12 Take pleasure in unrighteousness, 12 Be well pleased, take delight in, approve, like. Sin & error steal the heart. Be well pleased, take delight in, approve, like. Sin & error steal the heart.

7. I. What? (Deception Of Every King) III. How? II. Who?

8. Four part explanation God Sends (Jn.7:17) Them (ct. v.13) Strong delusion ‘To cause someone to experience an event or state’ – L-N Solon ‘Wandering from path of truth into error, deceit, deception’ – BDAG Solon ‘Wandering from path of truth into error, deceit, deception’ – BDAG

9. Summary 1. Prevention: Gn.20 (Ps.19:13)  God may keep us from sin by... ▪ Parents ▪ Government ▪ Brothers/sisters Presumptuous sinner not only knows what he is doing, but stubbornly delights in it. Secret sins may be unknown to sinner. Presumptuous sinner not only knows what he is doing, but stubbornly delights in it. Secret sins may be unknown to sinner. ▪ Tradition ▪ Conscience ▪ Bible ▪Age ▪Health ▪Death

10. Summary 1. Prevention: Gn.20 (Ps.19:13) 2. Permission: Dt.8:2; 2 Chr.32;31; Ac.14:16 3. Providence: Gn.50:20; Ac.4:27-28 4. Proportion: Job 1:12; 1 Co.10:13; 2 Th.2:7

11. Summary God sets limits to damage satan inflicts on His people God may not set limits to damage he inflicts on dishonest / evil people Scriptures illustrate how God can send strong delusions “Satan’s lie consists in getting men to believe him instead of God”

12. 1. God May Use Scriptures  Pharaoh: not a good man who was forced to sin by unjust God (Ex.5)  Ahab: (1 K.16:25; 22)  Israel: (Is.28:9-13) “Not by works” – Ro. 4 “Figure” – 1 Pt.3:21 “Baptism for dead” – 1 Co.15:29 “Deny Infallibility of Scriptures…”

13. 1. God May Use Scriptures 2. God May Use Swindlers  Common warning  Mt.24:5, 11, many deceived  2 Jn.7, many deceivers

14. 1. God May Use Scriptures 2. God May Use Swindlers 3. God May Use Self-deception  Gal.6:3  Ja.1:16, 22, 26 →Jn.7:17, promises truth to honest →2 Th.2:10-12, promises error to dishonest Those who hang up on truth will lose their connection

15. 1. God May Use Scriptures 2. God May Use Swindlers 3. God May Use Self-deception  Jn.7:17, promises truth to honest  2 Th.2:10-12, promises error to dishonest Saul, 1 Sm.28 2 Pt.2:20-22 If right w. God, no need for witch

16. Lessons: 1. Always love truth – even correction 2. God gives everyone what he wants 3. The first step away from truth may lead to the moment when we cannot see the difference in truth and error 4. Sin is its own punishment Voluntary blindness + God’s power lead to strong delusion