Overcome By A Strong Delusion

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:
2 Thessalonians 1	2 Thessalonians 2	2 Thessalonians 3
Numbers 19	Numbers 20	Psalms 59

Some seek the truth concerning God and salvation, while others pursue ideas without a desire for learning the truth, or they just simply never concern themselves with God's truth. For them, either truth as an absolute does not exist or is not of consequence. While this lack of interest in truth may seem harmless, it is actually very dangerous.

Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 that those who do not have a love for the truth will be given by God a "strong delusion" causing them to believe what is false. This is the first danger. This lack of interest in the truth leaves a person susceptible to "all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders, and with every unrighteous deception." And because of a lack of interest in the truth "God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false." They are then unable to recognize truth even if confronted with it. Instead they are captured by what is false.

The second danger in pursuing ideas without an interest in the truth, or simply giving truth little consideration, is that one can perish spiritually, never coming to an understanding or acceptance of God's salvation. In 2 Thessalonisans 1:7 & 8, Paul says, "at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels," He will take "vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." The "gospel of our Lord Jesus," is the truth of which he has been speaking. By ignoring this truth and considering it to be inconsequential and being given a "strong delusion," such talk of God's vengeance at Jesus' coming seems to them to be unworthy of a loving God and hateful for anyone to even mention. In their delusion, they have become blinded to the truth.