Clothed in Delusion
“And with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thess. 2:10-12
Some memories come and go. Others are emblazoned upon the movie screen of your mind. Never to be forgotten. Today, I share one such moment.
When my oldest two boys were small, my sister-in-law and I loaded up our collective brood and went on a picnic to the bay. We spread out our obligatory camp of blankets, snacks, cooler, towels, etc. and sat down to watch the kids in the water. I noticed another lady or two already swimming. In time, that pair came out of the water to their blanket just in front of ours. As the ladies neared, and the secret-keeping waters of the sea receded, I sat slack jawed at the sight before me. A woman of at least 300 pounds waded out wearing the skimpiest bikini imaginable.
Our kids stopped playing and gaped. All the other picnickers came to a stand-still to look. I believe it would be an understatement to say that the lady had over a foot of flesh on either side, flanking the small triangle that was supposed to be a swimsuit bottom.
And on that day my dream began. One day. Somehow. With financial endowment… I would begin a philanthropic organization. To buy the world a full length mirror.
This is not a post about body image. Nor is it about loving yourself no matter the size. All of that is well and good. What I am addressing today is the deeply theological question: “What lie did she tell herself before she left home?” Did she stand in front of her mirror having this conversation:
“Girl, you still got it!”
You are looking good!
Watch out bay, here I come!”
Guys want to be with you, women want to be you.”
Then my mind took it another level. What did her girlfriend say/think when she came out? Did she, in love, lie and say, “You are a hottie!” Or did she, too, believe that it was a look worthy of unveiling in a park full of people? ( She herself, though plus-sized, was appropriately clothed. )
Before you sling your computer at me, realize this is a real life teaching point. Somehow. Somewhere. This woman believed a lie.
Or worse, she had come too far to even care anymore. Regardless of the situation, her decision had a lasting impact on me and my family.
Lately, I see our world living out a similar delusion. It does not matter what others think. It does not matter what God thinks. It only matters what you like, what you want, what makes you happy.
As a society, we have become entitled. We feel we deserve to do what we want and have no obligation whatsoever to others.
Today’s passage says , “Because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false…”
That is the watermark of our time. We have refused to believe truth, to love, honor and esteem truth . And in that refusal, many forfeit the salvation of their very souls. After much resisting, God allows them to be deluded. To believe the false. Countless people are now under strong delusion. About God. About the times. About the truth of His Word.
This delusion is strong. I see evidence of that more and more with each passing day. As people espouse their opinion on social media, it goes beyond statement of opinion on into hatred and character assault. Good is being called evil, and evil, good. Just as the holy Scriptures foretold.
Lately as I have been taken aback by the barometer of hatred rising against evangelical Christians, I am reminded of these verses. With strong delusion, what we are seeing is not surprising. It is expected.
As a believer, I want to show forth the love of Christ. I want to love those who have bought a lie. I never want to bash people or make jokes about sin issues. I genuinely feel the Father’s concern for lost humanity. And it hurts. It hurts to see them sliding toward destruction. Oblivious. Self-righteous. And entitled.
It reminds me of the story I used to read to my kids, The Emperor’s New Clothes. Do you recall it as well? In it a prideful ruler is duped into believing that his clothes are being sewn with magical thread that only the special can see. He pours his royal funds into a wardrobe that is nothing but “air” clothes. So as not to offend the ruler, the magistrates and peasants brag on how fine the ruler looks. Until one day, while parading through town, a guileless child states the obvious, “The emperor has no clothes!”
Like the lady at the beginning of my blog, the ruler was deluded into believing something about himself that he wanted to believe, but no one else was truly buying it. In love, we must become that little boy and not be afraid to exclaim, “You are naked! You are uncovered! Your sin is showing!”
But then, let’s go on to the good news, ” But there is covering! There is a robe of righteousness! There is a crown of salvation! Receive it by faith!”
Dear God, deliver our loved ones who are bound by a strong delusion. Forgive me for falling into lies and give me your eyes to see truth and not to be misguided. Protect the true church from buying a lie. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
I have been thinking the same way. The world, and though my heart aches to say this, people in my own family, are choosing to believe a lie. My husband used to say Satan will tell you 99 truths to get you to believe 1 lie. I remind myself every day that God is still on the throne and His will will be done!
The Truth always sets us free. Great Word and reminder. 🙂
Bless you Laurie, you are right!
It is unfortunate that we often listen to lies.
May the Lord grant us wisdom and discernment to know the truth!
thanks for speaking the truth.
Bless you, Denise!