The Great Deception
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”James 1:22
After being "quick to listen,
slow to speak, and slow to become angry" we are now in a position to be obedient to the Word of God. The command is clear… DO WHAT IT SAYS! Too many people, who call Christ as Lord of their lives, consider themselves "good Christians". Some attend church every Sunday, others will claim daily reading of their Bibles, a few may even study the Scriptures, attend Bible studies, or volunteer in church, but without obedience you are only deceiving yourself. What is the deception James is speaking about?
The dictionary defines the word deceive as a process "to mislead by a false appearance or statement" (Dictionary.com. n.d.). In this context the person is misleading themselves into thinking he or she is living "the righteousness (life) that God desires". Instead, this person is misleading themselves by a false appearance and, in reality, is only acting religious.
The original Greek word for "deceive" here is actually a mathematical term meaning to make an error in your calculations. You think you are serving God faithfully in a relationship, but everyone else sees a hypocrite. Have you ever heard people explain why they do not attend church? The top reason for this is in pointing out hypocritical lifestyles of people claiming to be faithful Christians. Many teenagers leave the church because they see a double-life in their parents. Mothers and fathers who act one way at home and then another in the church.
The dictionary defines the word deceive as a process "to mislead by a false appearance or statement" (Dictionary.com. n.d.). In this context the person is misleading themselves into thinking he or she is living "the righteousness (life) that God desires". Instead, this person is misleading themselves by a false appearance and, in reality, is only acting religious.
The original Greek word for "deceive" here is actually a mathematical term meaning to make an error in your calculations. You think you are serving God faithfully in a relationship, but everyone else sees a hypocrite. Have you ever heard people explain why they do not attend church? The top reason for this is in pointing out hypocritical lifestyles of people claiming to be faithful Christians. Many teenagers leave the church because they see a double-life in their parents. Mothers and fathers who act one way at home and then another in the church.
The Barna Group, a research firm devoted primarily to the exploration of faith and spirituality, found that 81% of professing Christian adults “say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today.” The study goes on to show only 18% of these professing Christians are committed to spiritual development and a maturing faith (Barna, 2011).
I call this type of person a "Fan of God". Consider the passion most Americans have for their favorite college or professional sports teams. This "fan" will spend money, time, and energy to support his or her team. They decorate their homes, wear team apparel, make signs, and some even dress up in some way to show support. Fans will yell, cheer, and offer advice as to how the team should be run. They play fantasy sports to emulate being the owner or coach of the team.
There is one problem with being a fan in this way. A fan begins to think he or she is part of the team when they are not. Fans can only watch ...they are not on the field of play and they are not on the team. This is the deception. In context of the church, many professing Christians are simply "fans" who participate from a distance, but are not in the game. They are not living out the Word in their lives. Their lifestyles do not match the Word of God.
Ask the hard questions. Are you are serving God faithfully in a relationship that translates into your everyday life? Or, have you deceived yourself into thinking God is pleased with your life? How is your Integrity? Are you doing what the Word says? ...or have you fallen to the deception?
There is one problem with being a fan in this way. A fan begins to think he or she is part of the team when they are not. Fans can only watch ...they are not on the field of play and they are not on the team. This is the deception. In context of the church, many professing Christians are simply "fans" who participate from a distance, but are not in the game. They are not living out the Word in their lives. Their lifestyles do not match the Word of God.
Ask the hard questions. Are you are serving God faithfully in a relationship that translates into your everyday life? Or, have you deceived yourself into thinking God is pleased with your life? How is your Integrity? Are you doing what the Word says? ...or have you fallen to the deception?
References:
Barna.
(2011, September 13). Self-Described Christians dominate America but
wrestle with four aspects of spiritual depth. Retrieved from
https://www.barna.com/research/self-described-christians-dominate-america-but-wrestle-with-four-aspects-of-spiritual-depth/
Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Deceive. Retrieved from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/deceive
