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Delusion of Error - 2 Thess. 2:9-12
Delusion of Error - 2 Thess. 2:9-12
One of the most sobering passages in the New Testament is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12: "The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
However you identify the 'lawless one' of vs. 9, the problem is as old as mankind. It began in the Garden with Eve. She was deceived. She believed a lie. It was not because truth was unknowable, for in fact she KNEW the truth. God had revealed it plainly. There is a difference between knowing the truth and loving the truth. Is should also be apparent that one must know the truth in order to love it.
What Eve faced in the garden, men face today. For every truth there seems to be a corresponding lie, often SEVERAL. Such lies are often pawned off as just 'a different truth'. BUT, we have been warned!
A quick search of the gospel of John shows 'truth' to be used 26 times. John continued this emphasis by writing about truth 9 times in 1 John. Jesus is THE TRUTH (John 14:6). The Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 15:26). God's word is truth (John 17:7). Abiding in HIS word allows one to know the truth (John 8:32).
Believers who are faithful are walking in truth. Those who are of darkness and have pleasure in unrighteousness will not see it. Those who love darkness will not come to the light of truth lest their sins be exposed. The consequence of such refusal and unbelief of truth is to perish and not be saved.
I find it frightening that God will let me be deceived if I chose, even as He did with Eve. Rejecting the truth results in believing what is false. Believing the lie brings death. We are warned: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). We are admonished: "examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21).
Such warnings ought to energize us to diligent study and obedience of truth. This requires an honest investigation. This means I have to look again and challenge the presuppositions I bring to my study. This will result in having to admit when I am wrong. None of this is easy, but it is necessary.
What areas of truth are you vulnerable in?
Hugh DeLong
