STRONG DELUSION - EVIL IMAGINATION BECOMES THE REALITY

Chapter Two

Galatians 5:16

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

It is time to look at the alternatives to walking in the Spirit. Notice that the script says, those who will walk in the Spirit will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. To fulfill the lust of the flesh is to become as a non-believer, to take on the character of Satan. Nevertheless, the truth is, we will walk in one or the other. Either we will obey God, or we will obey the devil.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

We become blind and without revelation of God or truth, when we do not add to our faith, virtue, patience, temperance, kindness, and love; then moreover, we take on the character of the old man who was trained in fulfilling the lusts of the devil. However, because we are the saints of God and have to maintain a certain posture in the household of faith, one must become very resourceful in making provisions for sin. When we do not walk in the Spirit we will fulfill the lust of the flesh which are:

1. Adultery 2. Fornication 3. Uncleanness 4. Lasciviousness 5. Idolatry 6. Witchcraft 7. Hatred 8. Variance 9. Emulations 10. Wrath 11. Strife 12. Seditions 13. Heresies 14. Envyings 15. Murders 16. Drunkeness 17. Revellings

Imagination – 1. A mental extension of those things that you have been exposed to: origin is from the earth. (Genesis 6:5). 2. The ability of the soul to produce images or ideas (by either directly or indirectly experiencing them), that at present may only be lived out in the mind. 3. A holding place for thoughts for future consideration. a place of refueling; the manufacturer of plans; designs that are pre-lived desires of the flesh.4. The act or power of forming mental images of what is not actually present or experienced. 5. The contemplation of action as the result of a verdict of the conscience.It carries evil purpose and reasoning. Imagination is most frequently translated as thoughts (Banks’ Expository)

This must be a secret place because we are the Sons of God; however our secret sin dishonors all that we are. Therefore, the soul proceeds to build a world where the transgressor can live. This world is built in the imagination. The mind (soul) is capable of placing that sinful scenario into that protective box, constructing all the safeguards needed to secure or make provisions for the sin. The transgressor lives in this imaginary world the mind (soul) has created for him or her. He is comfortable there, for in it he is able to live out every fantasy, lying emotion or self-exaltation. Nevertheless, the more one lives with the sin in the imagination, the more this imaginary world becomes reality to the transgressor. As the sin escalates in the imagination; so do the lust and desire to live out this sin in the real world.

DECEPTION: THE STRENGTH OF SIN, DECEIT, DECEITFUL, DECEITFULLY, DECEITFULNESS, DECEIVE, DECEIVABLENESS A. Nouns. 1. apate NT:539, "deceit or deceitfulness" to cheat, deceive, beguile, that which gives a false impression, whether by appearance, statement or influence

You see, THE MOTIVATION FOR BRINGING THE SIN INTO THE REAL WORLD IS DECEPTION. DECEPTION IS THE STRENGTH OF THE LUST OF THE MIND, AND IT IS DECEPTION THAT ALLOWED THE SIN TO LIVE IN THE FIRST PLACE. The mind has accepted a false impression of the sin filled scenario. It has already lessened the evil in the sin; therefore, it has basically accepted sin as a lifestyle. After all, it survived as a lifestyle in the imagination, not allowing anything preached, taught or counseled to touch it.

As sin escalates in the imagination, so do the lust and desire to live out the sin in the real world. This is a very good example of deception being accomplished by influence. The fact that the sin survived in the imagination influences the mind by making a false impression in our heart/soul. The mind actually believes now that it can produce a plan that will enable the sin to survive in the physical world. Moreover, it also believes the sin will survive the judgment of God. Now do you see how deception becomes the strength of the lust within us? It is the motivating force which drives the transgressor into complete and total rebellion. The mind must now devise a way for the sin to survive in the physical world in the midst of truth, counsel, prayer and ministry. It must make provisions for the sin to thrive in the midst of the people, the teaching, the praying, the fasting and his own ministry.

Remember the attributes of the transgressor. He is blind, without true revelation and has forgotten that he was ever purged from sin. Therefore, he can only see through the lying eyes of his deception. What does the transgressor see at this point? Well, the Word tells us what he sees, by revealing his character responses to situations, circumstances and relationships in his life.

1. He becomes angry and hostile against anyone who dares to confront him or her concerning the sin.

2. The transgressor handles the Word of God deceitfully. This is an attempt to either cover or justify the sin. It may also be an attempt to either pull or hold others in the sin.

3. The transgressor is deceitful in counseling sessions. Either he will lie to cover the truth or will tell the truth about incidents to cover the lie he chooses to live. This is a tactic to draw sympathy while he continues in the sin.

4. The transgressor will attack the character of those trying to help or others who stand in the way of the sin. This is done to destroy the influence and relationships of those who know of the sin. Being blind to reality, the transgressor sees those who would seek to help pull him out of sin as the enemy. The Word of God that would deliver him becomes an offense, and the ministry in which he was conceived and nurtured becomes the battleground for manipulation and a matching of wits to out-maneuver the instituted authority.

Attributes of the transgressor:

a. Blind. b. Without true revelation. c. Forgotten that he was purged from sin.

2 Corinthians 4:1-5

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Even right now God is moved to be merciful. How do I know? Well, God would not expose us to the truth if we did not have a chance to accept it. The mere fact that we are hearing or reading these truths, says that the Lord is calling us to repentance. In this call He is telling us what to do. It is very simple:

1. Renounce the hidden things of dishonesty. Renounce those secret desires and that evil imaginary world dwelling in your heart. Cast down that evil imagination and purify your heart, thoughts and mind.

2. Stop being crafty. Speak the truth.

3. Cease to be a peace-breaker in your life and in the lives of others.

4. Stop twisting, turning and perverting the Word for your own personal gain.

5. Seek after the holiness of God. Cleanse yourself in His righteousness.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

THE LORD LOVES YOU. HE WILL FORGIVE YOU RIGHT NOW IF YOUR HEART IS ONE OF TRUE REPENTANCE. If you cannot seem to repent, then cry out to the Lord for mercy. Ask Him to send you a spirit of conviction or rather that you enter into a spirit of conviction. Ask the Lord to help you in your unbelief. He is faithful. You belong to Him. He cannot deny Himself.

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.