In the Word of God honesty is a key to fruitfulness and change in our lives (Luke 8:15). It also determines our entering into our Promise Land and destiny Deuteronomy 16:20 (the word just is the word honest). Honesty in our lives needs to start with being honest with ourselves. People good at fooling others have to first be good at fooling themselves which the Bible calls self deception. Examine yourself with the following areas of self deception and if you’ve messed up just fess up.
1. Self-deception about sin 1 John 1:8.
(To say we have no sin when in fact we have sinned. To say we have no power of sin or sin nature Romans 6:18, 21, 23. To say sin is all the devils’ fault James 1:12-16.To say sin will not hurt you 1 Corinthians 3:18; 6:9).
2. Self-deception about being a hearer only and not a doer of the Word James 1:22-26.
3. Self-deception about your true level of maturity James 1:26.
(Anyone can appear spiritual but our tongue reveals us. The measure of pure religion is seen in practical acts of love James 1:27. The measure of a perfect man is his ability to bridle his tongue James 3:2).
4. Self-deception about sowing and reaping Galatians 6:7.
(Thinking that stuff just happens whether good or bad with no connection to seedtime and harvest. Waiting and expecting for a harvest without sowing seed. Thinking there are no consequences to your actions).
5. Self-deception of thinking you are something you are not Galatians 6:3.
(Our works should prove if we are something not our thoughts. If you are anything, your actions will prove it. The good we do cannot be hidden 1 Timothy 5:24, 25. Don’t be out to be someone, be out to help someone).
6. Self-deception of thinking you can keep bad company and it not affect you 1 Corinthians 15:33.
(Bad company ruins good morals, habits, and character. Good apples do not change the rotten apples; one rotten apple spoils the whole bunch of good apples. Cannot companion with evil and it not affect you).
7. Self-deception of thinking you can never fall and never be deceived 1 Corinthians 10:12.
(All of us are subject to deception in areas of our ignorance. Awareness that it can happen to you is the safeguard that keeps you open to staying free).
Am I fooling myself? Self deception is being wrong thinking you are right. With no submission in your life, you have no outside voice to keep you objective. The bottom line of self-deception is pride Obadiah 3, 4. Pride rejects seeking God and His thoughts Psalm 10:4. Pride rejects the Father of Lights James 1:17; 1 John 2:16. Pride is the inability to admit need and the inability to admit wrong.
Pastor John Rasicci is the founder and Pastor of Word of His Grace Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where we are building people who are building the Church. Pastor's ministry mission is to help people discover God's dream for their Life, the Local Church, and the Last Days' Harvest. With a strong emphasis on the grace of God and with a prophetic voice, Pastor John preaches and teaches in churches, conferences, and crusades both locally and throughout the world. He has produced books, tapes, and other teaching materials to empower, enable, and equip Believers with the Word of God. Pastor John is married to his wife Candy who with their three children, Krista, Joanna, John Anthony, and two son-in-laws, Matt and Doug, serve together in the ministry. After graduating from Kent State University, Pastor John pursued a career in professional baseball before accepting the call to the ministry. He and his wife, Candy, received their ministry training from Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
John Rasicci 
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