Last week we looked at some of the common delusions some people in the world have about prayer, and how many who claim to be Christians think that sin will give a fuller, more wonderful life. Yet they must learn that sin always destroys – it destroys lives, it destroys relationships, and sadly, it destroys our relationship with God, which will have an impact with our relationship with others.
Some think that family connections will get them in the right relationship with God. Yet we see in the Old Testament that just being in the right family doesn’t matter.
Some engage in prayer, but they use “vain repetitions” thinking that God listens to longer prayers that sound pious and think God will bless them for the prayers. Lest we forget, God knows our thoughts and deeds, as well as our words. When we pray and do not have our hearts engaged in really praying to God, then we fool ourselves in thinking that God hears and will respond according. Do we just repeat the same words to our Heavenly Father because that is what we are taught?
SELF CONFIDENCE – Matthew 26:31-35
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
BUILDING ON THE SAND Matthew 7:24-27
“And everyone who hears these sayings of mine , and DOES NOT DO THEM, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended , the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell, and great was its fall.”
TRUSTING IN RICHES Luke 12:19-21
And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
THINKING THAT GOD IS REPRESENTED BY IDOLS. Acts 17:29-31
Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
THINKING THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME TO GET THINGS RIGHT
Acts 24:24-26
After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
ASSUMING UNCHANGING CONDITIONS. Jeremiah 4:13-14
Behold, he comes up like clouds; his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles— woe to us, for we are ruined! O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?
Don’t let Satan delude you – watch out for the ways he will try to win – and remember, these are delusions.
In Christian Love
Tommy
