Hard hearts and deception

[B-A-C]

In the book of Job,we see Job being tested. Now it wasn't God who really did the testing, but he allowed Satan to test Job.
We see something similar in the New Testament when Jesus tells Peter Satan wants to test him. ( Luke 22:31; )

I mention the above because I don't always think it's God who causes people to be tested ( Jas 1:13; ) but he does allow Satan to tempt us and deceive us sometimes.
Yet the Bible mentions that God intentionally lets people who continue in sin to be "deluded".

2 Thes 2:11; For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
2 Thes 2:12; in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.

Rom 1:28; And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

Eph 2:1; And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
Eph 2:2; in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

Rom 11:25; For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

2 Cor 3:14; But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
2 Cor 3:15; But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;

While God may allow this to happen to people sometimes it is simply the hardness of our own hearts.

Mark 6:52; for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.

2 Tim 3:6; For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,
2 Tim 3:7; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim 3:8; Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.

Tit 3:3; For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.


Could it be that if we choose to continue in sin, God eventually gives us over to sin?

 

[B-A-C]

The Bible talks about becoming so "used" to doing a certain sin, that our consciences become "seared over" like with a branding iron.

1 Tim 4:1; But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Tim 4:2; by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron

It seems in the last days this will get worse.

2 Tim 3:1; But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 Tim 3:5; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
2 Tim 3:13; But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Holding onto a "form of godliness". I think some of these people believe they are saved. In fact they will even find preachers that agree with what they are doing.

2 Tim 4:3; For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
2 Tim 4:4; and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

I think many in the world are deceived today. Some of them even want to be deceived.

1 Cor 6:9; Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
1 Cor 6:10; nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Even though some churches are preaching that some of things listed above aren't really sin, it is a great deception.

 

[donovankrebs]

Wow, those verses are really eye-opening. Do you think God makes a way for people to soften their hearts again and flee the deception?

 

[B-A-C]

Wow, those verses are really eye-opening. Do you think God makes a way for people to soften their hearts again and flee the deception?

The next scriptures, seem to have a way to guard against this.

2 Tim 3:13; But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:14; You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
2 Tim 3:15; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Tim 3:16; All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2 Tim 3:17; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

I feel knowing the Bible and sticking to it is one of the best ways. Too many people depends on their pastors and Sunday school teachers to know the Bible for them.
(Of course it would probably be good for your pastor to follow the Bible also)

 

[donovankrebs]

Thank you for those verses!

 

[Dovegiven]

Wow, those verses are really eye-opening. Do you think God makes a way for people to soften their hearts again and flee the deception?

God is always open to true repentance of sin, waiting for a few that will truly forsake sin. Let me liken it to a person taking up archery. For whatever reason they never win an event. always missing the mark just enough to lose a contest, then giving up. Eventually they find that old bow and some arrows, practice, become assured, skilled, and stick to archery regardless of how much bulls eye they are accounted for. It's my opinion that many people obtain a little sample of salvation without entering in until later when actually called to salvation by Father God. He knows when to issue the formal invitation, knowing who will respond by saying they need to feed their cow first.