This is a follow-up to my blog last Friday, entitled Everyone’s a Magician. You might want to read that too.
I just finished watching X-Men: Days of Future Past. I really enjoyed the movie, particularly the manifestation of some of the coolest powers like Magneto’s awe-inspiring ability, Quicksilver’s dash through the kitchen, and Blink’s thinking in portals.
Everyone is fascinated by the concept of superpowers. One of my favorite games to play with people is to ask them to design their favorite superhero. People always enjoy being able to imagine what kind of powers they would put together.
But while that game is just fantasy, there is at least one superpower that we all have. When I say a superpower, I mean an ability that we use on a regular basis with seemingly limitless potential.
That is the power of Self Deception.
Once we have our hearts set on something, we can convince ourselves that what we are doing is not wrong, is actually preferred, or even right. That’s why hate groups are often very convinced of the truthfulness of their perspective. That’s why people follow cult leaders, like Quiboloy in Davao.
But it affects all the rest of us as well. When we get into fights with others, we convince ourselves that they were at fault and we did nothing wrong. When we sin we say things like, “it’s not that bad” or “everyone’s doing it too.” The most common thing is convincing ourselves that when others do wrong against us, they’re wrong. But whenever we do wrong, it’s understandable and excusable.
And this problem is universal to humans. Here’s what the Bible says,
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. Romans 1:18-19
We suppress the truth (deceive ourselves) because we’re wicked but we can’t face that fact. Thankfully, God doesn’t keep us this way. This human superpower has its own Kryptonite. Here it is:
The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. Proverbs 20:27
God uses His Word, read or spoken through other people, to search our hearts so we will see what’s really going on inside. This is a good thing because, while we can fool ourselves, we can’ avoid the consequences of our sin.
Are you deceiving yourself about something now? Is there something that you know to be wrong, but are actively trying to convince yourself is okay? Ask God to let His Spirit search your heart and experience the freedom of being exactly who you say and think you are. 🙂
