7 Signs of Self-Deception

We find some of Jesus’ most shocking words in Matthew 7:21-22. He essentially says that some people who call him Lord do not know him. He will one day say to them, “Depart from me; I never knew you.” These people are self-deceived. There are signs of self-deception. Seven are listed below, and many come or have been modified from Martin Lloyd Jones and his book, Studies on the Sermon on the Mount. You will notice that the things listed below can be good if kept in their place, but when misused, they can give us the appearance of godliness while denying the power thereof. These signs are essential for us to review since the heart is deceptive, and we live in a society that believes the best thing you can do is follow it. We must always check our hearts with the word of God.

1. Prioritizing Experiences Over Our Savior: It’s easy to become fixated on seeking peace, rest, healing, and blessings while losing sight of the core of our faith—Jesus Christ. True faith revolves around Christ and his work on the cross for our sins rather than being driven solely by the desire for prosperity or therapeutic effects.

2. Finding Identity in Religious Organizations Instead of Christ: Many people believe they are Christians because they belong to a particular religious organization or church while neglecting Christ and his word. Though being part of a church is essential for our spiritual health, our identity should be rooted in Christ, not defined by the denomination or the religious group we associate with.

3. Always Applying Christ’s Teachings to Social Issues, but Never to Ourselves: Some individuals quickly apply Christ’s teachings to politics or societal issues but avoid self-evaluation. They use the Scripture to argue for or against ideas like socialism but never seek to conform their lives to its teaching. We should be willing to apply these teachings to our lives first, seeking to be in God’s will.

4. Being Solely Interested in Academic and Theoretical Theology: The Life of the mind is essential, but self-deception can occur when we delve into Scripture academically or theoretically without allowing it to impact our hearts and lives. We must let the Word of God examine us and guide our spiritual growth rather than simply attempting to understand the nuances of theological argumentation. This distortion can also happen with apologetics.

5. Neglecting the Gospel for Speculative Studies: Endless speculation on the mysteries of Scripture can distract us from the core message of the Gospel. Exploring topics like the subtleties of the end times or ancient mysteries can sometimes overshadow the central importance of Christ’s redemptive work. I have met people who will start to yawn if you mention the Gospel, but if you bring up the Nephilim, they are all ears.

6. Favoring Style Over Substance in Preaching: Some may be drawn to the eloquence or charisma of certain preachers, focusing on the performance rather than the message. It is vital to discern the substance of the message and not be blinded by the delivery. Even preachers can deceive themselves if they love the art of preaching but would rather wax eloquent on other topics than expositing Scripture.

7. Embracing Justification while Neglecting Sanctification: While justification is a foundational aspect of our faith, we must not neglect the ongoing process of sanctification. True faith involves growing in holiness and becoming more like Christ throughout our lives. Antinomianism is no more Christian than legalism.

We must recognize these signs of self-deception and guard against them as we examine ourselves. Keep your focus on Christ, remain rooted in the Gospel, and actively seek spiritual growth through the Word of God. This way, we can ensure that our faith is authentic and steadfast and guard ourselves from the trappings of self-deception.

-D. Eaton