Avoiding Deception
Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?”
Matthew 7:22
A good way to avoid spiritual self–deception is simply to know and shun the types of religious pitfalls people can drop into. First, there is inordinate preoccupation with mere religious activities. The external focus on attending church services and Bible studies, listening to sermons, singing hymns, and other inherently good activities can actually insulate you from knowing the God you think you are serving.
Second, there is superficial reliance on past religious activities and ceremonies. Just because you were baptized as a child, attended Sunday school or vacation Bible school, or joined a church does not necessarily mean you are now right with God.
Third, there is a religious knowledge for its own sake. You may be commmitted to a certain denomination and its traditions or have an intense academic interest in theology. But these things are useless if you are not also interested in becoming more like Christ and more obedient to His Word.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 257). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian. Being a Christian, a disciple of Christ, a submissive and obedient follower of the Lord of all creation, takes more than superficial actions. In fact no actions, no deeds or works, can earn you the right to be a child of God. It is only God's mercy and grace which saves us. Once we are saved, we perform the righteous deeds we were created for (Eph 2:10), to glorify and honor our Father in heaven (Mat 5:16). We go to church, but we go with a right heart. Then we can be called Christians.
Applications: Do not get caught up in performing religious rituals just out of habit. Study God's word, but not just as an intellectual exercise. These are good actions to take, but not if they are done with a wrong heart. God desires obedience over worship (Mat 5:23-24). Get right with God in your heart first, then all your deeds will flow out of a longing to please Him and to become like His Son Jesus.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a right heart of submission and obedience to God. Pray that I would worship with a right heart, and not just out of habit. Pray that I would love God above all things. "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mat 6:33). Pray that I would worship Him because I fear Him and not men. Pray that I remain in Christ and that He remains in me so that He will know me on that day.
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Matthew 7:22
A good way to avoid spiritual self–deception is simply to know and shun the types of religious pitfalls people can drop into. First, there is inordinate preoccupation with mere religious activities. The external focus on attending church services and Bible studies, listening to sermons, singing hymns, and other inherently good activities can actually insulate you from knowing the God you think you are serving.
Second, there is superficial reliance on past religious activities and ceremonies. Just because you were baptized as a child, attended Sunday school or vacation Bible school, or joined a church does not necessarily mean you are now right with God.
Third, there is a religious knowledge for its own sake. You may be commmitted to a certain denomination and its traditions or have an intense academic interest in theology. But these things are useless if you are not also interested in becoming more like Christ and more obedient to His Word.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 257). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian. Being a Christian, a disciple of Christ, a submissive and obedient follower of the Lord of all creation, takes more than superficial actions. In fact no actions, no deeds or works, can earn you the right to be a child of God. It is only God's mercy and grace which saves us. Once we are saved, we perform the righteous deeds we were created for (Eph 2:10), to glorify and honor our Father in heaven (Mat 5:16). We go to church, but we go with a right heart. Then we can be called Christians.
Applications: Do not get caught up in performing religious rituals just out of habit. Study God's word, but not just as an intellectual exercise. These are good actions to take, but not if they are done with a wrong heart. God desires obedience over worship (Mat 5:23-24). Get right with God in your heart first, then all your deeds will flow out of a longing to please Him and to become like His Son Jesus.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a right heart of submission and obedience to God. Pray that I would worship with a right heart, and not just out of habit. Pray that I would love God above all things. "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mat 6:33). Pray that I would worship Him because I fear Him and not men. Pray that I remain in Christ and that He remains in me so that He will know me on that day.
Listen to this entry
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