1 Corinthians 6:9-10, GW
Don’t you know that wicked people won’t inherit God’s kingdom? Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit God’s kingdom.
Beloved,
Another way a person can deceive himself is when they pretend to be who they are not. Galatians 6:3-5 says this:
If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. For each of you have to carry your own load.
Galatians 6:3-5
It is important that we know ourselves and know what God’s word has spoken concerning us. For example, if you say that you are a child of God, but do not take on the role and responsibility of a son to Him, you are deceiving yourself. If you claim that you’re a Christian, but do not fully wear the character of Christ, you are deceiving yourself.
When was the last time you examined yourself and your actions? It’s not enough to claim a title, which many people love to do.
You must do a routine assessment of your life. Does your life match up with what you confess? Are your actions aligned with God’s word and His plan for your life?
If you make the mistake of thinking that looking the part, taking on titles and appearing to men to be in right standing with God is enough, you are not deceiving man but yourself. In fact, your actions may be the thing that drive people away from the church! The Bible says in Matthew 7:15-20 that it is “by their fruit” that people are known. If you are truly a child of God, you will produce fruit accordingly. If you examine yourself and even you cannot find any of the fruit of the Spirit at work in your life, then it is time for you to stop deceiving yourself. It’s bad enough to deceive others, but deceiving yourself is worse. You are at risk of dying in deception if you will not stop lying to yourself and believing your own lies.
Beloved, the best thing you can do for yourself is to be honest about your level, both naturally and spiritually. See what God has said about you and the life He has called you to and begin to build yourself up from where you are. Your genuine change will yield genuine fruit that you can be proud of.
I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.
I call you blessed. I call you NATIONS.
