I want to address something that everyone encounters at some point: the person who claims to be a Christian yet lives with a mixture of worldly influences. As I write this, I can think of numerous examples, as I’m sure many of you can. But the real question is: do they truly know HIM?

The worst deception is self-deception. When a person is self-deceived, they live in a constant cycle of justifying themselves, never truly changing. Self-deception is particularly dangerous because the individual has placed themselves into it. It is not a demonic force, nor a wrong doctrine they believe, but a doctrine they have created. Without a willingness to take a hard look at oneself, engage in deep humility, confess, and genuinely repent, it becomes almost impossible to break free.

At its core, self-deception is rooted in an open-belief system that resists true transformation. This system contains just enough truth to convince the individual that all their beliefs are valid. An open belief system is built on personal decisions about what to accept or reject regarding God and faith. Consequently, actions are self-justified and explained away rather than measured against biblical truth.

One of the most dangerous aspects of self-deception is that it creates a self-induced spiritual coma. A person can live in this state for years, believing a lie they are unwilling to acknowledge. When confronted, they debate from the perspective of their personal belief system and intellect rather than from biblical truth. As a result, they twist scripture to fit their mindset, allowing iniquity to settle into their hearts. Iniquity is both twisted thinking and lawlessness. The only way to purge it is through mercy and truth—God’s mercy that allows us to see the truth and be set free.

This deception stems from being neither hot nor cold but lukewarm. Instead of being fully committed to Jesus, these individuals engage more with Christian concepts than with Christ Himself. Their approach is intellectual rather than spiritual, leading them to compartmentalize their faith, feeling good about certain aspects while refusing to surrender areas of their flesh that remain unredeemed.

Perhaps the most sobering reality is found in Scripture: “God gave them over to a reprobate mind” (Romans 1:28, 2 Timothy 3:8). This is the tragic consequence of self-deception—becoming reprobate. A reprobate mind is one that is morally unprincipled, transgressing against God’s moral law, and ultimately rejected by Him. It is not that God actively does this to a person; rather, the person places themselves in a position where rejection of truth becomes their own undoing.

A secondary form of self-deception is even more dangerous: presenting a compromised version of Christianity to others. Those who are self-deceived often act like chameleons, changing based on their surroundings and who they are with. They don’t live a set apart faith publicly. Their faith lacks value and conviction because they are unstable in its expression being double minded. Because their foundation is not built on solid spiritual truths but rather on personal interpretation, they convey a message that faith can be mixed with worldliness. They send a message that it is acceptable to believe whatever one wants, ultimately denying absolute truth. Over time, they become adept at justifying their actions, influencing others to follow their example into self-deception. A self-deceived person can only lead others into self-deception.

Breaking Free from Self-Deception

There is hope for breaking free from this bondage, and it is found in 2 Corinthians 13:5 — 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 True self-examination requires humility and desperation. Often, it takes a crisis to shake someone out of their deception. If we struggle to see the truth ourselves, we may need spiritual leaders we trust to help us recognize where we truly stand. However, we must be willing to hear and accept their counsel objectively.

God has given us a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Reconciliation is more than resolving disputes; it means restoring harmony. Many divisions in the Body of Christ stem from self-deception and disunity. We fail to recognize and value what others bring because of personal feelings of inadequacy. Instead of embracing truth and revelation, we deny it to remain in our comfort zone of deception.

A key aspect of self-deception is the false belief that relevance in ministry is determined by status, achievements, or followers. This misconception breeds jealousy and strife, all of which stem from self-deception. It causes the self-deceived to hold value in their perspectives to maintain self-esteem rather than see themselves and accept that God has something greater for them.  Every believer has a unique function and role in God’s plan, unfolding according to His timing.

To truly reconcile, we must understand what harmony looks like in our spiritual lives. Harmony means being in right standing with God, with others, and with ourselves. Deception always leads to disharmony. Throughout the Bible, deception brings division, both between individuals and between people and God. True harmony is restored when we examine ourselves, embrace the truth, and allow it to set us free. This process often requires putting others before ourselves and eliminating selfishness.

In all the counseling I do, I have found that if individuals are willing, they can break free from seld-deception and step into the ministry of reconciliation. It starts with self-examination, humility, and an openness to truth. May we all take the time to seek the Lord earnestly, allowing Him to reveal any areas where we have been self-deceived so that we can walk fully in His truth and freedom.