Addicted to Delusion; the Craft of Delusion; Speaking From the Mind of Yahweh

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.

G3326 G3593

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.

G4108

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

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.