SELF-DECEPTION

If you are indeed a Christian, it went something like this ... God saw you without hope in this world and in desperate need of a Savior. His Word exposed you, the Holy Spirit convicted you, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ became your lifeline. 

But there remains a problem ... 

Because of your latent earthly nature, you are tempted to find comfort in 'self-deception' ... you subconsciously think that you are better, smarter, and more ethical than you really are. 

We have not arrived, pilgrim ... If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

One of Satan’s favorite traps is to whisper false assurance. His lies are too pleasant, believable, and palatable to challenge on your own. That is why Spirit-directed self-examination is vital to your walk of faith. For ... the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

It is impossible to know if your actions and motives are pure without the Lord's divine insight. Invite Him to examine you ... 

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 

The right form of 'self-examination' has to do with Christ's position in your life. It is not intended to be a catalyst to spur independent attempts to change ... 

Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Don’t you understand that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless, of course, you fail the test. 2 Corinthians 13:5

'Self-deception' becomes a crippling mind game when you refuse to examine your life honestly ... but be warned; don't become so inwardly focused that you take your eyes off of Jesus and make 'self-improvement' your god. 

A.W. Tozer - The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very thing he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him. 

Sanctification can only take place when you forsake all of the lies concerning 'self'. Become a cleaned-out, empty vessel so that Christ can live in and through you.