How to Avoid Self-Deception! (ePub)

Self-deception is the most lethal form of deceit, and of all deluded people, the self-deceived are the least likely to notice the deception. The explanation for this is straightforward. A guy is fooled against his will when he is deceived by another. He is up against an opponent and is a victim of the other's deception for the time being.

Because he expects his adversary to take advantage of him, he is wary and suspicious of deception. It is conceivable to be tricked in such conditions on occasion and for a short time, but because the victim is resisting, he may be able to break free and flee before too long.

It's a different story with the self-deceived. He is his own worst adversary, and he is deceiving himself. He is psychologically conditioned to believe the falsehood and wants to believe it. He doesn't fight the deception; instead, he works with it against himself. Because the victim surrenders before the combat begins, there is no resistance. He enjoys deceiving others.

It is entirely possible to commit deceit against our own spirits and be led astray to condemnation. "A man deceives himself if he thinks he is something when he is nothing," Paul observed. "If any one among you appear to be religious, yet does not restrain his speech, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain," says the inspired James.

The closer we go to the sanctuary, the higher the risk of self-deception rises. The intensely religious man is significantly more vulnerable than the laid-back one who dismisses his religion. This person may be tricked, but he is unlikely to be deceived by himself.