THE COMMUNION: SELF-DECEPTION
February 2025
5 min read
In this letter, I want to talk to you about how we can practice self-judgment properly according to the Word. If we learn to judge ourselves correctly, we can avoid being entangled by the god of this world and falling into his traps.
In 1 Corinthians 11:29, it says, “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” We have discussed how failing to discern our broken fellowship with the Body of Christ can lead to spiritual consequences. However, I want to draw attention to what is said next.
Notice verses 31-32, paraphrased from the Greek:
31 But if we discern ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But being judged by the Lord, we are chastened, lest we be sentenced with the world.
This aligns with Hebrews 12:7, which states, “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” We also see in Revelation 12:10 a reference to the accuser of our brethren before God. The word accuser comes from the Greek katēgoréō, a legal term referring to an indictment—one that the believer brings upon themselves. This is precisely what Paul was referencing in 1 Corinthians 11:29 when he wrote, “drinks judgment to himself.”
With this in mind, let’s look at Revelation 12:11:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”
Even though the devil accuses us when we miss the mark, God has provided a way of escape in the midst of temptation or trial so that we may endure and overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Now, let’s consider the sin that so easily entangles us—the very thing the devil uses to accuse us, categorizing and sentencing us with the world. 1 John 3:19-22: “19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure (Greek “persuade“) our hearts before Him.” God searches our hearts and convicts us—He does not condemn us (see Romans 8:1). This is a critical distinction. Verse 20 emphasizes, “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” His conviction offers an opportunity for correction because He fully understands our hearts, even when we do not. Verse 21 continues, “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn (convict) us, we have confidence toward God.” Why does God bring a conviction? Verse 22 answers: “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”
These verses show us that when God convicts and corrects us, it is for our protection. As mentioned earlier in Hebrews 12:7, the surrounding context (verses 5-8) underscores the importance of allowing God to correct us. He desires to help us avoid sin, and more critically the sin which so easily ensnares us, which I describe as self-deception.
Below is a quote from A.W. Tozer on self-deception. I cannot say it more plainly than he does:
“Of all forms of deception, self-deception is the most deadly, and of all deceived persons, the self-deceived are the least likely to discover the fraud. The reason for this is simple. When a man is deceived by another, he is deceived against his will. He is contending against an adversary and is temporarily the victim of another’s guile. Since he expects his foe to take advantage of him, he is watchful and quick to suspect trickery. Under such circumstances, it is possible to be deceived sometimes and for a short while, but because the victim is resisting, he may break out of the trap and escape before too long. With the self-deceived, it is quite different. He is his own enemy and is working a fraud upon himself. He wants to believe the lie and is psychologically conditioned to do so. He does not resist the deceit but collaborates with it against himself. There is no struggle because the victim surrenders before the fight begins. He enjoys being self-deceived.”
This quotation highlights how critical it is for us to give attention to God. Let’s take to heart the exhortation found in, 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God…for He cares for you.”
