Strong Delusion
Do not trivialize truth
1 Tim.2:4
 Ja.5:19-20
 1 Pt.1:22

2 Thes.2:9-12
I. What?
Deception Of Every Kind
Powerful delusion



Deluding influence, NASB
Working of error, ASV
Cause them to be greatly deceived, NLT
‘Holy’ relics
False miracles
Ends in condemnation
(to judge as guilty)
I. What? (Deception Of Every Kind)
II. Who?
People who . . .



Do not love truth, 10
Do not believe truth, 12
Take pleasure in unrighteousness, 12
Be well pleased, take delight in,
approve, like.
Sin & error steal the heart.
I. What? (Deception Of Every King)
II. Who?
III. How?
Four part explanation
God
 Sends (Jn.7:17)
 Them (ct. v.13)
 Strong delusion

‘To cause
someone to
experience an
event or state’ – L-N
Solon
‘Wandering from
path of truth
into error,
deceit,
deception’ – BDAG
Summary
1. Prevention:
Gn.20 (Ps.19:13)
Presumptuous sinner not only knows what
he is doing, but stubbornly delights in it.
Secret sins may be unknown to sinner.
God may keep us from sin by . . .
▪Parents
▪Age
▪Tradition
▪Government
▪Health
▪Conscience
▪Brothers/sisters ▪Bible
▪Death

Summary
1. Prevention:
Gn.20 (Ps.19:13)
2. Permission:
Dt.8:2; 2 Chr.32;31; Ac.14:16
3.
Providence: Gn.50:20; Ac.4:27-28
4.
Proportion: Job 1:12; 1 Co.10:13;
2 Th.2:7
Summary
God sets limits to damage satan inflicts
on His people
God may not set limits to damage he
inflicts on dishonest / evil people
“Satan’s lie consists in getting
men to believe him instead of God”
Scriptures illustrate how God
can send strong delusions
1. God May Use Scriptures
Pharaoh: not a good man who was
forced to sin by unjust God (Ex.5)
 Ahab: (1 K.16:25; 22)
 Israel: (Is.28:9-13)

“Not by works”
– Ro. 4
“Baptism for dead”
– 1 Co.15:29
“Figure”
– 1 Pt.3:21
“Deny Infallibility of
Scriptures…”
1. God May Use Scriptures
2. God May Use Swindlers

Common warning
 Mt.24:5, 11, many deceived
 2 Jn.7, many deceivers
1. God May Use Scriptures
2. God May Use Swindlers
3. God May Use Self-deception
 Gal.6:3
 Ja.1:16,
22, 26
→Jn.7:17, promises truth to honest
→2 Th.2:10-12, promises error to
dishonest
Those who hang up on truth
will lose their connection
1. God May Use Scriptures
2. God May Use Swindlers
3. God May Use Self-deception
 Jn.7:17,
promises truth to honest
 2 Th.2:10-12, promises error to
dishonest
Saul, 1 Sm.28
2 Pt.2:20-22
If right w. God, no need for witch
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Always love truth – even correction
God gives everyone what he wants
The first step away from truth may
lead to the moment when we cannot
see the difference in truth and error
Voluntary blindness + God’s power
lead to strong delusion
Sin is its own punishment