We all know people who are addicted to things, and we can
usually pinpoint a reason for that addiction. If someone is addicted to
something there is a root cause somewhere within one or both of their two
minds. As we studied last week, Jesus tells us of two minds, the one in our
head and the one in our heart, and both of those minds are susceptible to
distortions, as in Jesus’ example of Balaam (lust) and the Nicolaitans
(domination). It is easier to look at a physical body and a physical substance
and notice a person’s addiction, but it is not as easy to notice an addiction
that doesn’t alter one’s physical body. For example if one is addicted to
drugs, we can see a noticeable reaction to those drugs. But if someone is
addicted to sensationalism and hype, we will not see a physical alteration.
Last week we saw Jesus’ statements on how the seven churches were being misled
by people in their wrong minds, and along those lines we have the same people
who generate delusions for sheep to follow. This is called the craft of
delusion. Interestingly we find that delusion is an addiction. Let’s look at
this more closely so we can understand what the Body of Christ is up against.
This verse from Ephesians is very rich but in the effort to
stay on task we have to pare down what we focus on. You may wonder why I cite
the Greek translation with the Strong’s numbers, it is so the reader can see
each word and search its definition on his or her own. I try to document
everything so that there will be no question on how to reproduce this study. I
hope the reader will then share this knowledge with others. Here is a site you
can use to see scripture in the Greek/English http://studybible.info/ABP_Strongs
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to
and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; KJV
Eph 4:14G2443that G3371no
longer G1510.3should
we be G3516infants,
G2831being
swelled G2532and G4064carried
round about G3956by
every G417wind G3588of the
G1319instruction,
G1722in G3588the G2940cunning
G3588 G444of
men, G1722in G3834cleverness
G4314to G3588the G3180craft G3588of the
G4106delusion.
Let’s take note of the phrase “the craft of delusion”.
Craft
LSJ Gloss: μεθοδεία craft, wiliness
Dodson: μεθοδεία scheming, craftiness (a way of search
after something, an inquiry; a method), scheming, craftiness, deceit.
Strong's: μεθοδεία travelling over, i.e. travesty
(trickery) Derivation: from a compound of G3326 andG3593 (compare
"method"); KJV Usage: wile, lie in wait.
Thayer:
1) cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery
Delusion
LSJ Gloss: πλάνη a wandering, roaming
Dodson: πλάνη a wandering, error a wandering; fig: deceit,
delusion, error, sin.
Strong's: πλάνη objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a
straying from orthodoxy or piety
Derivation: feminine of G4108 (as abstractly); KJV Usage: deceit, to deceive, delusion, error.
Derivation: feminine of G4108 (as abstractly); KJV Usage: deceit, to deceive, delusion, error.
Thayer:
1) a wandering, a straying about
1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither
2) metaph.
2a) mental straying
2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion
2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting
2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud
1a) one led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither
2) metaph.
2a) mental straying
2a1) error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion
2b) error which shows itself in action, a wrong mode of acting
2c) error, that which leads into error, deceit or fraud
Delusion is a craft. We all know what a craft is, in the
sense of making something, such as crocheted tea cozies. But we are speaking of
a verb usage rather than a noun. A craft is something one does, it can be good
or bad; but this word is specifically in the bad sense. Being wily, scheming,
and deceitful is this type of wandering or delusion. One could say this is
something people in their wrong mind perfect to mislead innocent people. Let’s
look at delusion.
Prov 14:8G4678The wisdom
G3835of the astute
G1921will
realize G3588 G3598their
ways; G1473 G454but
the thoughtlessness G1161 G878of
fools G1722leads unto
G4106delusion
The thoughtlessness of fools, as compared to the wise, is
unto delusion, or wandering. We should think about that for a moment. Every
time someone writes a book about a special secret “prophecy” do we swallow it
whole or do we research the subject for ourselves to see if what is being
promoted is truthful or superstition? Thoughtless people, or sheep, swallow
things whole, especially if a popular preacher says so. For example, it is not
hard to find all the problems and false statements proponents of tetrad cycles
and blood moons are expounding. It may take a little time but the basic
knowledge is available as to how many tetrad cycles there have been, how many
have occurred on feast cycles, how many “events” have transpired during those
cycles. Of the four tetrad cycles advocated as “signs”, how many have had
visible solar and lunar eclipses in Israel? This is all basic information that
anyone can find with a computer. The funny part is that of those four special tetrads
people write about, only one of those dates had a significant event. Of the
other three tetrad cycles, the cycle started after the significant event. How
sketchy is that? One event does not make a pattern. The idea that Tetrads
occurring on feast days has been promoted as special and significant, but the
Jewish calendar is on a lunar cycle and tetrads occur during spring and fall
equinoxes; there is nothing mysterious about that. Also, eclipses occur around
equinoxes but are those eclipses visible in Israel? Not this go round. Think
this through, if significant events occur before tetrads, and no eclipses are
visible in Israel, then all we really have to look at is the regular holiday
cycle.
This is similar to some comments I made a while back regarding
the stock market. The stock market is a man-made, man-run entity, yet people
keep ascribing crashes to Yahweh. Yahweh is not a puppet master, pulling the strings
of a marionette to make the stock market vary between a bull and a bear market.
In fact Yahweh has nothing to do with the global markets, but every fall false
prophets predict a market crash. If one were to look at the ebb and flow of the
markets, one would see that these adjustments are normal, but thoughtless fools
run crying like Chicken Little that Yahweh is punishing everyone. Oh boy! It is
easy for the ignorant to fall into superstition, but instead of being
thoughtless we should be wise. Let’s look at the phrase addicted to delusion.
Isaiah 19:14G2962For the lord
G1063 G2767mixed G1473for
them G4151a
spirit G4106.1addicted
to a delusion; G2532and G4105they
caused Egypt to wander G* G1722in G3956all G3588 G2041its
works, G1473 G5613 asG4105[3wanders
G35881the
one G31842being
intoxicated] G2532and G3588the
one G1692vomitting
G260together
The Egyptians became addicted to delusions which caused
them to seem intoxicated. They couldn’t walk a straight line as if they just
got off a rollercoaster, and they seemed to vomit as in a dizzy drunken stupor.
If we think about the context here, this is in regards to all of Israel’s
enemies, and the proclamations against them. When will spirits be loosed
against Egypt? At the time of the tribulation. And just in case we think
Jerusalem is free from this addiction to a delusion let’s continue in Isaiah.
Isaiah 22: 5G3754For G2250it is a
day G5016of
disturbance, G2532and G684destruction,
G2532and G2662.1trampling,
G2532and G4106.1an
addiction to a delusion G3844by G2962the lord
G4519of
Hosts. G1722[2in
G53273 the ravine
G*4of
Zion G41051They
wander]. G575[2from
G33973small G21934unto G31735great G41051They
wander] G1909upon G3588the G3735mountain
When does the Lord of the Angel armies come to Zion? During
the tribulation.
Isaiah 30:10G3588The
ones G3004saying
G3588to the
G4396prophets,
G3361Do not
G312announce
G1473to us!
G2532and G3588to the
ones G3588[2the
G37053visions
G37081that
see], G3361Do not
G2980speakG1473to us,
G235but G1473speak
to us, G2980 G2532and G312announce
to us G1473 G2087another
G4106.1addicting
delusion,
11G2532and G654turn G1473us G575from G3588 G3598this
way! G3778 G851Remove
G575from G1473us G3588 G5147this
road, G3778 G2532and G851remove
G575from G1473us G3588the G3051oracle
G3588 G*of
Israel!
The Yahweh rejecters are addicted to delusion. It seems
that those people push Yahweh away and instead ask for an addicting delusion. One
group of addicted delusion-ers are the unsaved, and the other group are the
thoughtless saved. We have to ask why people want to be addicted to a delusion.
Delusion is easier to receive than truth. Delusion is mysterious and fun to
explore. Truth that is laid out, as in our Bible’s, takes work to find and
isn’t fun to live by because one can’t make it up as one goes along. Many times
the narcissist likes the special attention they get from announcing special
secret superstitions. The sheep who enjoy being thoughtless rather than working
to check facts, are swayed by the people who make delusion a craft. People
become addicted to special secret knowledge because it sets them apart from the
masses. Just as children might chant “I know a secret” some people enjoy the
position they create for themselves and they do not want to hear the truth.
Assyria is also addicted to delusion.
Isaiah 30:28G2532And G3588 G4151his
breath, G1473 G5613as G5204water G1722[2in
G53273a
ravine G49511being
dragged along], G2240shall
come G2193unto G3588the G5137neck, G2532and G1244be
divided. G5015He
shall disturb G1484nations
G1909for G4106.1[2addiction
to a delusionG31521a
vain], G2532and G1377[2shall
pursue G14733them G4106.11an addiction to a delusion], G2532and G2983it
shall take G1473them G2596according
to G4383their
face.
When will the nations be disturbed? Not today; today the
nations are invited into the Body of Christ. But on the day the door closes (the
harpazo), the nations will be disturbed because they are addicted to delusion.
What delusion is Assyria addicted to? While there might be many, truly there is
one overwhelming one. The delusion of Islam. We wonder how it is part of one’s
culture to rape young boys and girls yet conversely persecute those young
victims for being victims. We only need to remember the studies we did on Sodom
to recognize that this is the culture and practice of Sodom as well as Islam.
It is a delusion that people are addicted to, and it is a delusion that has
become a forced religion and law in the Middle East. Today, they have a vain
addiction to a delusion, but when Jesus comes they will have another addiction
to a delusion, they will align with the beast.
Speaking of Jesus’ kingship on earth during the millennial
reign, there won’t be any more morons speaking, ruling, and leading.
Isaiah 32:5G2532And G3765no
longer G3361shall G2036they
tell G3588the G3474moron G756to
rule; G2532and G3765no
longer G3361shall G2036[2say
G3588 G52571your
officers], G1473 G4601You be
quiet!
6G3588For
the G1063 G3474moron G3474[2moronish
G29801shall
speak], G2532and G3588 G2588his
heart G1473 G3152[2vanities
G35391shall
purpose], G3588 G4931to
complete G459lawless
deeds, G2532and G2980to
speak G4314[2against
G29623 the lord
G4106.11a delusion], G3588 G1289to
scatter G5590[2souls
G39831hungering],
G2532and G3588[3for
the G55905souls G3588 G13724thirsting
G27562vain things
G41601causing]
In context we read that during the millennial kingdom, no
longer will the moron rule and say moronic things. These moronic rulers spoke
addicting delusions against Yahweh. Do we have any moronic rulers that speak
addicting delusions against Yahweh today? This chapter is best read in the
Septuagint to understand its full context, but it is interesting that Jesus’
rule puts an end to moronic rulers. Many political leaders intentionally speak
addicting delusions to people to win their votes. One phrase, The Affordable Care Act which is neither
affordable nor providing proper care.
Likewise, spiritual leaders enjoy scattering hungry souls
with addicting delusions. How many people are “evangelized” out of the church
to another church type group because of the special secret knowledge they
teach. Rather a better way to look at this is that these spiritual leaders are
speaking an addicting delusion that causes people to wander into vain things.
Again it’s about money. The more followers one has the more money one receives,
therefore one must craft a delusion that people will become addicted to. In time
people become addicted to the leader, so even if the leader’s special secret
prophecies are proven false, people will still cling to that leader. People
forget about accountability.
Jeremiah 4: 11G1722In G3588 G2540that
time G1565 G2046they
shall say G3588 G2992to
this people, G3778 G2532and G3588 G*to
Jerusalem, G4151There
is a
spirit G4106.1of
addiction to a delusion G1722in G3588the G2048wilderness;
G3598the way
G3588of the
G2364daughter
G3588 G2992of my
people G1473 G3756is not
G1519to G2513purity,
G3761nor G1519to G39holiness
Here we see another allusion to a spirit of addiction to
delusion, so we want to ask, who is sending this spirit of addiction to
delusion? The idea that Yahweh is sending evil spirits to people groups is
false. If we remember back to our study of Jonah, we saw the elohim of evil, we
have the same understanding here. The god of this world has the command of evil
spirits, and this context here in Jeremiah is in regards to if Israel will return to Him. This was
before the diaspora, and was a warning to Israel. When disobedience to Yahweh
pervades, the elohim of evil has free reign over the people. This happens
because they neglected Yahweh. They went into the wilderness, into captivity,
and became addicted to more delusions. Jeremiah
tells us not to listen to the prophets who frame vain visions from their
hearts.
Jeremiah 23: 16G3779Thus G3004says G2962the lord
G3588the G3841almighty,
G3361Do not
G191hearken
to G3588the G3056words G3588of the
G4396prophets!
G3588of the
ones G4395prophesying
G1473to
you. G3754For G3154they
frame in folly G1438[2for
themselves G37061a
vision]. G575From G2588their
heart G1473 G2980they
speak, G2532and G3756not G575from G4750the mouth
G2962of the lord
17G3004They
say G3588to the
ones G683thrusting
away G3588the G3056word G2962of the lord,
G1515Peace G1510.8.3will
be G1473to
you; G2532and G3956to all
G3588the
ones G4198going G3588 G2307by
their wants, G1473 G2532and G3956to all
G3588 G4198going G1722in G4106a delusion G2588of his
heart, G1473 G3756[2shall
not come G2240 G19093upon G14734you G25561Evils]
Prophets are not to speak visions from their hearts.
Prophets are to speak from the mouth of Yahweh. How many times have so called
prophets prophesied that there will be storms in the south? Seriously? There
are always storms, everywhere. It would be better to prophesy that there won’t
be any storms in the south, so that when there aren’t any storms we would know
they were right. Otherwise it is more like being a meteorologist than a
prophet. These people who speak visions from their own hearts are speaking
visions from their own mind, the mind of their heart. Just because we wish the
world will end does not mean the world will end, yet those prophets speak words
from their own hearts’ desire. Here in the context of Jeremiah, the false
prophets say no evil will come upon them, thereby putting people into a
delusion.
If we notice here, usage #4106 is “a wandering”, but
#4106.1 is actually being “led astray”. The people wander in their hearts, why?
Because the word of “evil shall not come upon you” is more pleasant than “you
are all going into captivity into Babylon for seventy years”. Next we see the
actual priests addicted to delusion.
Ezekiel 48:11G3588It
shall be for the G2409priests,
G3588the
ones G37having
been sanctified, G5207the sons
G*of
Zadok, G3588the
ones G5442keeping
G3588the G5438watches
G3588of the
G3624house,
G3748who G3756did
not G4105wander
G1722in G3588the G4106.1delusion G5207of the sons
G*of
Israel, G3739in
which G5158manner
G4105[3wandered
G35881the G*2Levites].
From history we know there was a contention between the
Levites and the priests of Zadok, to which the entire Book of Jeremiah was
affected by people who sided with the Levites. This is why the Book of Jeremiah
is chopped up in the Masoretic text. Here in Ezekiel we see that the sons of
Zadok were keeping the watches and did not wander, but the Levites did become
addicted to delusion just like Israel. This tells us that our spiritual leaders
are just as susceptible to becoming addicted to delusions as anyone else. And
again the usage #4106.1 suggests being led rather than simply going the wrong
way on accident. Who wants to lead people astray? Who wants to see our
spiritual leaders look foolish so that the thoughtless foolish sheep reject
Yahweh? I would suggest that the prince of this world has been working on
influencing spiritual leaders for a long time. Notice Matthew 27.
Matthew 27:64G2753Bid G3767then G805to
safeguard G3588the G5028tomb G2193until G3588the G5154third G2250day! G3379lest
at any time G2064[2coming
G3588 G31011his
disciples] G1473 G3571at
night G2813should
steal G1473it, G2532and G2036should
say G3588to the
G2992people,
G1453He is
risen G575from G3588the G3498dead; G2532and G1510.8.3will
be G3588the G2078last G4106delusion
G5501worse
than G3588the G4413first.
Well if one thinks of Jesus as rising from the dead as a
delusion, it truly is a worse delusion than the first, which was that he is the
Messiah. Who was speaking here? The Pharisees and Chief Priests were speaking
to Pilate. It is the same message the Jews speak today, as they believe Jesus
is a liar and a false prophet. However, we know that he indeed rose from the
dead, so how do they spin that today? For their own sect they continue to
adhere to the belief that Jesus was a false Messiah. But to dissuade others,
they take a different approach. They concede Jesus was the Messiah, but… There
is always a “but” to what they want Christians to believe. But you have to keep
these laws; but you must follow these customs; but you must observe these
religious practices. There are no “buts” for the redeemed. Once redeemed, made
righteous, sanctified, and justified by Jesus’ blood, there is no “but”. There
is nothing more we can do once we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior to
attain our redemption, our righteousness, our sanctification, or our
justification; no buts about it. Now rewards are a different story, but
redemption is not a reward, it is your seal as to your changed citizenship.
Likewise, righteousness, sanctification, and justification are not rewards,
they are your new state of being as a member in the Body of Christ.
1 Tim 4:1G3588But
the G1161 G4151spirit
G4490expressly
G3004says, G3754that G1722in G5306later G2540times G868some
shall leave G5100 G3588of the
G4102belief,
G4337taking
heed G4151to
spirits G4106of
delusion G2532and G1319instructions
G1140of
demons;
2G1722in G5272hypocrisy
G5573of
speaking lies, G2743[3being
seared G35881their
own G2398 G48932conscience]
Again we see that people are led astray by spirits of
delusion. Who has control over spirits of delusion? The sad part to this verse
is the searing of their own conscience. I guarantee that the false prophets
speaking today whose prophecies do not come to pass will come up with another
angle and special secret knowledge. They will turn it into the next media blitz
to sucker the thoughtless ones in the Body of Christ.
James 5: 19G80Brethren,
G1437if G5100any G1722among G1473you G4105should
be misled G575from G3588theG225truth,
G2532and G1994anyone
should return G5100 G1473him,
20G1097know! G3754that G3588the
one G1994turning
G268a
sinner G1537from G4106the delusion
G3598of his
way, G1473 G4982shall
deliver G5590a soul
G1537from G2288death,
G2532and G2572shall
cover G4128a
multitude G266of
sins
Aren’t we supposed to get the unsaved saved? Have we
forgotten that the unsaved are under a delusion and are headed for death?
2 Peter 2:17G3778These G1510.2.6are G4077[2springs
G5041waterless],
G3507cloudsG5259[2by
G29783a
tempest G16431being
driven], G3739ones
to whom G3588the G2217infernal
region G3588 G4655of
darkness G1519[2into
G1653 the eon
G50831is
kept].
18G5246For [2pompous
G1063 G31534of
folly G53501uttering 3sounds],
G1185they
entrap G1722by G1939the desires
G4561of the flesh,
G766in
lewdnesses, G3588the
ones who G3689really
G668escaped
G3588from the
ones G1722[2in
G41063delusion G3901behaving],
19G1657[2freedom
G14733to
them G18611promising],
G1473they G1401[2bondmen
G52241being]
G3588 G5356of
corruption; G3739for by
whom G1063 G5100anyone
G2274has
been vanquished, G3778by
this one G2532even G1402he is
enslaved.
This entire chapter is a great read from the Greek text.
These evil people are uttering pompous folly and they entrap, by the desire of
the flesh, via lewdness, innocent ones who already escaped deluded behavior,
promising freedom, those innocent people then become enslaved. What we see is
the false teachers who are in bondage themselves trying to enslave the ones who
are saved and who have escaped the delusion of the world. Why would anyone want
to put the saved into bondage?
2 Peter 3:17G1473You G3767then, G27beloved,
G4267foreknowing,
G5442guard G2443that G3361not G3588by the
G3588[2of
the G1133unlawful
ones G41061delusion] G4879having
been led away, G1601you
should fall from G3588your
own G2398 G4740steadfastness!
18G837But
grow G1161 G1722in G5484the favor
G2532and G1108knowledge
G3588 G2962of our
Lord G1473 G2532and G4990deliverer
G*Jesus G5547Christ!
G1473To him
G3588be the
G1391glory G2532both G3568now G2532and G1519intoG2250the day
G165of the eon.
G281Amen.
Be guarded! Don’t fall into the delusion of the false
teachers and prophets. Instead grow in the favor and knowledge of Jesus our
deliverer. That is a great exhortation.
As we have looked at media and conglomerates that control
our news and information the last couple of weeks, we have to recognize that
there are spiritual leaders also propped up by these same conglomerates. The
realization is less obvious as most of the false information in Christendom starts
out in printed materials like books. But once in print, the media blitz to the
Body of Christ is relentless. These authors may or may not be intentionally
leading people into delusion, but eventually they buy into their own press and
play the game. It would be wonderful if some of these people publically
repented. But even if today’s false prophets and teachers repent, there will be
new ones to arise and lead the thoughtless ones away.
The idea that people can be led into addicted delusion by
evil spirits is interesting. We then have to concede that even Christians get
deluded by spiritual means. There is no other remedy for people in the Body of
Christ to not get led into addictive delusion other than studying and
researching what people are saying. There will always be some folks who get
giddy over a new special secret that someone is teaching. And as the saying
goes, salesmen are the easiest to sell. But as Peter suggests, we have to be
guarded. As the wise sayings of Solomon suggest, we should not fall into thoughtlessness
just because we trust someone, rather we need to be wise and astute in all
things. And as Paul suggests in the end days people will become more deluded,
but we want to avoid being tossed around.
We have to do a little soul searching on this subject and
decided if we are addicted to delusions. If we are, we can repent and be
forgiven. Then we have to make every effort not to fall into delusions again by
doing the work of studying the text, the Bible, and all other resources
pertaining to the subject matter we are being led to believe. We should not ask
others to study these things on our behalf because they may tell us what we
want to hear, so as to ride the wave of notoriety. Our second soul search
should be pertaining to what we have taught others. If we have taught what the
false prophets and teachers have said, we need to publically repent so that
those who listened to us regarding these delusions can be set free also. This
is how we can bring unity to the Body of Christ, and strengthen ourselves in
Jesus our deliverer. We should stop giving place to people in their wrong mind
and hold them accountable to the standard of the Bible. Prophets, speak only
the words of Yahweh, not the visions of your heart.