Sermon Central
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Powerful Delusions
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Oct 26, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: Delusion becomes all who do not fully embrace the truths of God's word. These people are intrigued with political leaders who have a worldly social agenda that embraces humanistic views.
Election Years - Powerful Delusions
2 Thessalonians warns of a time when "The man of lawlessness [we be] revealed." (2 Thessalonians 2:3) The Apostle Paul tells us "...the secret power of lawlessness is already at work..." (2 Thessalonians 2:7) This is happening because "...all the ways wickedness deceives, [is deceiving] those who are perishing.." (2 Thessalonians 2:10) People are perishing because "...they refused to believe the truth and be saved." (2 Thessalonians 2:10) Paul writes, "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, so they may believe the lie, in order that all may be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
A prototype, in regards to people who have governmental authority, "is an individual that exhibits the essential features of a later type." (Mish, F. C. (2003). Preface. Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.) Like the man of lawlessness who will arise and deceive the whole world, there are governmental officials who have an ungodly agenda, yet present an appearance of good social order. Delusion becomes all who do not fully embrace the truths of God's word. These people are intrigued with political leaders who have a worldly social agenda that embraces humanistic views.
The Apostle Paul wrote "a powerful delusion" (πλάνη plánē) meaning, "A wondering out of the right way, ...seduction to error, false opinion. (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) The practical application is, "to cause someone to hold a wrong view and thus be mistaken." (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 364–366). New York: United Bible Societies.)
An honest look at our American history is proof that this delusion is at work. Daniel Webster served as U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of State. He was known as the "Defender of the Constitution." He believed "it was the people's right to establish qualifications for their elected officials." The qualification, "profession of belief in the Christian religion." (Source: Daniel Webster, The Writings and Speeches of Daniel Webster, (Boston: Little, Brown, & Company, 1903), Vol. III, pp. 3-7.) Today, as in the last several elections, there is a desire of most in America to elect officials who will enable them to live freely to make un-Godly choices, officials who will seduce them into error and embrace a mistaken view of the purpose for which our founding father's intended this nation to be for God.
Shockingly, many embrace the delusion, "Woman's choice over the right of life to the unborn." Amazingly, people will support disrespect to others in a candidate, as long as that candidate appears to support their views. There is little concern over the fact of unrepentant immorality in government, as long the immoral person achieves the agenda of those who refuse God's truth. There is strong endorsement for any leader who makes the things that break the heart of God look good and the things that please the Lord look bad.
The only way to overcome any deceptions today and the coming powerful delusion - is to fully surrender your spiritual heart to Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.
