II Thessalonians 2:10,11
“and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false.”
This passage describes the terrifying result of ignoring the Lord. One’s thinking is skewed. One’s judgment is impaired. It’s like a hiker with a faulty compass. Choices are made about one’s location and where to go. However, those decisions were based on error. The deceiving part is that the individual has complete confidence the choice. The consequences of going in the wrong direction vary.
These detours could waste time, lead to further wrong choices or the worst outcome is that it could be fatal. Some do this temporarily. While others are lost for a lifetime.
Many of our public voices today fit this category. They broadcast their views. They are so confident that they belittle those of faith. All the while they are in error and are going down the wrong path. An unfortunate result is that they are taking many with them.
The first mistake is not “receiving the love of the truth”. This action is by default choosing falsehood. We have all done this and still may on some level. The large areas are whether to receive Christ, His forgiveness and His lordship in our daily lives. From here are midsize and smaller choices. Whatever the size, we should develop the habit of obedience. Otherwise we are not receiving the love of the truth.
The frightening part is the end of the verse, “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false.” If one doesn’t receive the truth, then God clouds them with some sort of deception. As was mentioned earlier, their thinking is off. They may be healthy and confident. Yet, they now have a disability.
This process sounds similar to what God did to pharaoh. He was warned on multiple occasions to let the people go. Severe consequences were applied to the land of Egypt. However, it says that pharaoh hardened his heart. He wouldn’t budge. It says he did this on multiple occasions. The last time it says that the “Lord hardened pharaoh’s heart”, (Exodus 9:12). The first step is the individual chooses to reject God. In pharaoh’s case, it was multiple times. God is patient with us. Even though we choose poorly, He will continue to reach out to us. Step two is that God cemented pharaoh’s choice.
Does send the deluding influence whenever we ignore Him? We are making a choice. We are self anesthetizing. Or does He only send the deluding effect to those that reject Him and are not His children? I’m not sure if it’s a yes, no or is it with percentages. This is part of the mystery of God. I wouldn’t think He would do this with His children. I entrust that to Him.
Lord, help us to respond to Your messages. Thank You for Your patience.