Attention Activity
:Self Deception
What is self-deception?
Self-deception is a process of denying or rationalizing away the relevance, significance, or importance of opposing evidence and logical argument. Self-deception involves convincing oneself of a truth (or lack of truth) so that one does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception.
How is deception in any way negative to our progression?
Examples:
Pride
: unrealistic view about ourselves - the good things in life come from our efforts and achievements not God.Illusory superiority
: "The average person believes he/she is better than the other average person"Denial:
Denial, is a hallmark of the addictive/sinful process. In almost all cases an individual will justify his/her actions rather than recognize their sin.Addiction:
Sin is Addictive
Finding-Giving Support in Recovery:
Denial, self-deception, and isolation are hallmarks of addictive behavior. These traits make it difficult to achieve lasting and stable progress in recovery without the support and perspective of others.
Negative thoughts about worth:
Self worth - Self Esteem you are a child of God and are of immense worth!Thou shalt love thyself.
Byu Speeches - Marvin J. Ashton It's No Fun Being PoorThe worst form of defeat is to be conquered by self. Defeat is not pleasant, but nothing is so painful and devastating as self-defeat. Losing our self-dignity and self-respect is the worst form of poverty. When trust in friends and self are both lost, there is not much trust left in life.We should teach, particularly ourselves, that nobody is a nobody. We are someone, and with God’s help we can accomplish all things.
Thou shalt be honest.
Thomas Carlyle said, “Over the times thou hast no power, solely over one man thou hast quite absolute power. Him redeem and make honest.” An honest conscience is worth more than it costs. Greatness is truly measured by honest self-appraisal. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Introduction:
In the Epistle of John he provides us insight into why he writes this book and to who: 1 John 1:1-4
1 - We have seen, and held the word of life
2 - the life was manifested and we have seen it - and bear witness of it
3 - That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you
That you may have fellowship with us, and the son and the father
4 - That your Joy may be full
Last week at the very end of the lesson we talked about how a man's calling and election can be made sure, wherein an individual can join in fellowship with God, and Jesus Christ in a very literal manner. John desires those reading to reach this point and that their joy is full. He then begins to teach about one main issue that keeps people from reaching this point. This issue is the concept of
Self-Deception
which can block an individuals progress in repentance and gaining the characteristics of Jesus Christ in his life.God is Light - There is no deception in him
(John 1:5-7)5 God is Light
5 In him there is no darkness at all
6 If we say we have fellowship with him
and walk in darkness
we lie
and do not the truth
7 If we walk in light
As he is in the light
We have fellowship with one another
The blood of Christ
7 Cleanseth us from all sin
Standard Pattern throughout this book: 3 part couplet using the following patterns
If Clause - then clause and
Whoso - what they should do
he that clause should do clause
Notice the emphasis on self-deception in these verses:
We have no sin
If we say we have no sin - we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8)
If we we confess our sins - he is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9)
If we say we have not sinned - we make him a liar (1 John 1:10)
We know him
If we say we know him - and keep not his commandments we are a liar (1 John 2:4)
Whoso Keepeth his word - God's Love is perfected and God is in him (1 John 2:5)
He that saith He abide in him - Ought to walk as he walked (1 John 2:6)
I am in the Light
He that saith he is in the light - hateth his brother is in darkness (1 John 2:9)
He that loveth his brother - abideth in that light - no stumbling (1 John 2:10)
He that hateth his brother is in darkness - walketh in darkness - blind (1 John 2:11)
Comiteth sin
Whoso comitteth sin - transgreth the Law ( 1 John 3:4)
Whoso abideth in him sinneth not (1 John 3:6)
Whoso sinneth hath not seen him or known him (1 John 3:6)
he that doeth righteousness Is rightetous (1 John 3:7)
He that comitteth sin is of the devil (1 John 3:8)
Devil sinneth from the beginning
Son of God destroys works of the devil (8)
Whoso is born of God - doeth not commit sin (9)
His seed remaineth in him
He cannot sin - he is born of god
Children of god manifest (10)
And children of Devil (10)
Whoso doeth not righteousness
Is not of God
Neither he that loveth not his brother (10)
Rich man - without compassion
Whoso hath this world's goods - and seeth brother in need (1 John 3:17-18)
And have no compassion - How dwells love of god in him?
Let us not love in word, neither in tongue
But in deed and truth
Perfect love casteth out fear
There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18)
Perfect love casteth out fear
Fear hath torment
He that feareth
Is not made perfect in love
Love god and not brother
If a man say I love God (1 John 4:20)
Hateth his brother
He is a liar
He that loveth not his brother
that he hath seen
How can he love god
whom he hath not seen
Emphasis that It is through Christ that we are saved: The beginning of each chapter
I write these things that ye sin not - If any man sin - Jesus Christ can save us (1 John 2:2)
We can be called the
Sons of God
for we shall be like him (1 John 3:1-3)Every man that has this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure
Try the spirits - if they confess not Christ they are of the devil (1 John 4:1-3)
Whoso believe in Jesus Christ is born of God - and keeps his commandments (1 John 5:1-5)
God is Love - Ought we not to love as he does
it is his work and glory to perfect us - imperfect self deceiving individuals!
His love made perfect in us
(1 John 4:7-17) 7 Let us love one another
Love is of God
Everyone that loveth is born of god
Knoweth God
Loveth Not
Knoweth not God
God is Love
9 Love of God Manifest
He sent his only Begotten
That we might live through him
10 Herein is Love
Not that we loved God but he loved us - Sent his son
To be the propitiation for our sins
11 If God so Loved us
Ought we also to love one another
12 No man hath seen God at any time
Except them that believe
If we love one another
God dwelleth in us
His love is perfected in us
13 we dwell in him and he in us
He hath given us his spirit
14 We have seen and do testify
The father sent the son
To be the savior of the world
15 Whoso confess Jesus is Son of God
God dwelleth in him
He in God
16 We have known and believed the Love God has for us
God is Love
He that dwelleth in love
dwelleth in God
God in him
17 Herein is our love made perfect
Boldness in the day of judgement
As he is
So are we in the world
Poems:
1 John 2:12-14
12 I write unto you little children
Your sins are forgiven
13 I write unto you Fathers
You have known him that is from the beginning
I write unto you Young Men
ye have overcome the wicked one
13 I write unto you little children
You have known the Father
14 I have written unto you Fathers
Ye have known him that is from the beginning
I have written unto you young men
Ye are strong word of god in you
Ye have overcome the wicked one
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world
Neither the things that are in the world
If any man love the world
The Love of the father is not in him
16 all that is in the world
lust of the flesh
lust of the eyes
pride of life
is not of the father
but is of the world
The world passeth away
and the lust thereof
17 The will of God abideth forever
Conclusion:
Self Deception is a means by which the devil can deceive an individual and lead them slowly down to hell. Nephi said it very plainly in the following verse:
21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. (2 Nephi 28:21)
We need to not be complacent in our current state... but rather be constantly improving/learning and becoming the types of people that God would want us to be. John was clear and plain in his warnings concerning self deception. This book is pertinent to us in our day and provides a pattern of piety whereby we can if we are careful watch ourselves, our thoughts, and our deeds and become true Saints.