.jpeg)
BIBLE TEXT: JAMES 1:21-26
📖 MEMORY VERSE: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (JAMES 1:22).
The greatest harm a person does to himself is self-deception. A self-deceived man is under a powerful influence of the devil. He is a hypocrite, pretending to be what he is not. The self-deceived, according to Dr. Courtney S. Warren in her book, The Truth about Self-Deception, "Hurt self and those they love most when they don't take full responsibility for who they are; contribute to large-scale acts of cruelty believing their lies and spreading them to others; leave them with massive amount of regret." God is never flattered by religious activities, though people may be deceived by your pretense.
You may be very active, generally appreciated and have temporary praise of men, but your joy is transient. If you live in secret sin and you are called a brother or sister, do not rejoice. Job said, "That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?" You know yourself better than anyone else. Do you live in secret sin? Repent today and make your way right with God.
God's grace is sufficient for all, having a turn around and forsaking self and cling unto Christ today, you will become a perfect new creature behold allow Christ to come into your heart and make you a new you.
QUOTE: God is never flattered by religious activities.*_
CHALLENGE: The joy of the self-deceived is transient.*_
PRAYER: Lord, keep me from the sin of self-deception.