Self Deception

I Corinthians 3:18
Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by the world's standards, you need to become a fool to truly be wise.

"Me? I don't have a problem. You have a problem."
"Don't worry about me. I can handle this."
"My friend may have O.D'ed but not me, I know what I'm doing."
And on, and on, and on, the lies keep pouring out.
Trouble is, the ones who are saying these things really believe that they can handle their addiction.
Part of the nature of the beast of addiction is the ability to deceive others.
But the deadly part that no one wants to talk about is the ability to deceive yourself.

Living in a house without running water....
No electricity.....
No gas....
No cable...
No furniture.....
And yet tell others that it isn't so bad and that "I'm o.k.. As long as I've got a little money for smokes and incidentals, I'm o.k.".
Of course when they say "incidentals" they usually mean their drug of choice.
But such is the life of one in addiction.
Who do they surround themselves with?
Others who are equally as deceived as themselves.
Do you see how this feeds the darkness that has overpowered them?
Do you see how it takes the presence of God coming straight down into their hearts to open their eyes to the truth?

Oh..and let's not stop with addiction, let's go straight to Sunday morning.
There are those who warm a pew every week who are equally as deceived as the addict.
"It's just porn. I'm not hurting anyone."
"God will forgive me for what I've done."
God will forgive?
I'm not sure how it works if you use the forgiveness of God like some get-out-of-jail-free card. Not sure how premeditated sin works. I guess we'll find out in the end. 

To me the greatest reality in the Bible is found in John 14:17- He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into ALL truth.
What is the greatest truth that I could ever be lead into?
Truth about myself.
The real me that hides  behind the deception I created in my own mind and heart.
The real me that is in need of a Savior.
Truth is painful, but necessary if we want to grow in Christ.
Truth forces me to make a choice.
Change...
Or stay the same.
I choose to change.

God on you....
Michael b.