Francis Chan: Don't Be Deceived

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us of the importance of being aware of our own deception and the danger of twisting God's truth to fit our own desires. We often justify sin by convincing ourselves it's not that bad, or even a good thing, but this is a form of self-deception that can lead us away from serving God. The Bible teaches us that sin is a bad thing and serving God is a good thing, but we must be careful not to rationalize our own sinful behavior.

Key Scripture References

• Galatians 6:3 - This passage reminds us that some people actually think they are better than they really are. They deceive themselves into believing this, and it's a form of self-deception that can lead to sin.
• Romans 1 - In this chapter, Paul explains how people know the truth but choose to suppress it because of their desires. We see that we have a tendency to justify our own sinful behavior by convincing ourselves it's not that bad.
• Galatians 6:7 - This verse reminds us that God cannot be mocked, and we will reap what we sow. It's a law of the universe that whatever we plant, we'll get back. We must be careful not to deceive ourselves into thinking we can get away with sin.
• Psalms 139 - The psalmist asks God to search him and show him his true nature. This reminds us that when we're before a holy God, our deception will be exposed, and we'll see the truth about ourselves.
• 1 Corinthians 4:4 - Paul says that even if he feels justified in his own conscience, it doesn't make him innocent. He knows that God will judge him, and it's only God who can truly know our hearts.

Practical Applications

We must be careful not to deceive ourselves into thinking we're better than we really are. We must examine our own hearts and ask God to search us and show us our true nature. When we're before a holy God, our deception will be exposed, and we'll see the truth about ourselves.

Warning Signs of Self-Deception

• We justify sin by convincing ourselves it's not that bad or even a good thing.
• We rationalize our own sinful behavior by telling ourselves everyone else is doing it too, so it must be okay.
• We feel justified in our own conscience but know that God will judge us anyway.

How to Avoid Self-Deception

We can avoid self-deception by:

• Examining our own hearts and asking God to search us and show us our true nature.
• Being honest with ourselves about our sinful behavior and acknowledging it as sin.
• Seeking accountability from others who know us well and will tell us the truth.

Conclusion

This message reminds us of the importance of being aware of our own deception and the danger of twisting God's truth to fit our own desires. We must be careful not to rationalize our own sinful behavior, but instead, examine our hearts and ask God to search us and show us our true nature.