Stop Deceiving Yourself III
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Job 15:31 AMPC
Let him not deceive himself and trust in vanity (emptiness, falseness, and futility), for these shall be his recompense [for such living].
Beloved,
Today we will look at two more ways people often deceive ourselves: trusting in vanity and refusing to face reality.
Any time you put all of your attention and hope into what is carnal, temporal or tangible, you are wasting your time and your life. It is very easy to trust what you can see and feel. In fact, it would almost make sense to do so because it might present as more attainable and give more immediate and sensory gratification. You might also feel like you are more in control or safer when you do things like putting all of your trust in man or in money.
Even if such things come through for you, the benefits will always be limited to feelings and temporal. Nothing that can die (and not rise again), nothing that can be spent, and nothing that can be broken can ever provide anything of everlasting result.
If you are spending all of your time, talents, and resources just to chase money, your are deceiving yourself. You will never be satisfied. All things that are tangible are meant to be tools or means to an end, not your end goal. I pray this makes Godly sense to you.
Another way people deceive themselves is by flat out refusing to face reality. You can only pretend to be walking by faith for so long. Outcomes will tell on you eventually. Make a decision to be honest with your self and others, and most certainly with God. In fact, you must know that you can’t deceive God. If you think you can, you are deceiving yourself.
Sometimes we get into some actions or behaviors that separate us from God. The first time, it does not seem like that is the case. You only missed prayer this time because you had to work. The second time, there was a special celebration and surely God understands. He wants you to celebrate, right? Next time, you are tired and the Lord knows your heart. After that, it is a habit and you are deceiving yourself if you don’t recognize it as such and do something about it. Repent! Then call yourself back to order. Don’t let the devil help you justify sin. Call it out for what it is. Repent, rebuke, and reject that sinful habit and get back to the higher ground God, your Father has called you to.
Proverbs 14:8-9 says this:
For the wisdom of the wise will keep life on the right track, while the fool only deceives himself and refuses to face reality. Fools mock the need for repentance, while the favor of God rests upon all his lovers.
Proverbs 14:8-9, TPT
I didn’t write it, but the truth is that if you place your trust in vanity, it means you are placing your trust in emptiness, falseness, and futility. It is wasting your time and keeping you from trusting the One who is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless (Jude 1:24). If you refuse to face reality, especially the reality of your need for true repentance, then you are deceiving yourself.
Beloved, don’t reduce yourself to the limits of natural life. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you order your steps and take you higher in life on this side of eternity that you might enjoy unspeakable joy and fulfillment on the other side of eternity.
I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.
I call you blessed. I call you NATIONS.
