Of all forms of deception, perhaps self-deception, and especially religious self-deception, is most to be feared. The issues at stake are so tremendous that one cannot be too careful about it.
But there is one thing certain — you can only be deceived by the person or thing that you trust. Ananias and Sapphira tried to practice deception on the apostles; but Peter wasn’t deceived, for he didn’t believe them. The serpent whispered a lie into the ears of Eve; and, believing it, she was “deceived.” If you want to escape the terrible consequences of self-deception, beware of the too common trap of self-occupation. Self can’t deceive you if it isn’t trusted; therefore, we repeat, beware of it. What the heart of man is naturally has been declared by the only One who knows it, to be “deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)). Solomon well said, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:2626He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)).
One of the West of England banks has adopted an excellent slogan, and has had it printed on their bank notes, “Weave truth with trust.” The excellence of this motto lies in the fact that appearances can’t be trusted. When Eliab, the son of Jesse, came before Samuel; he said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before me;” but outward appearances could not be trusted.” “The Lord seeth not as man seeth” (1 Samuel 16:66And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. (1 Samuel 16:6)). The captain of the Dunbar thought he was alright, no doubt, as he steered his vessel toward Sydney harbor. But, he mistook the North Head light for the South Head light, and his fine ship was speedily reduced to a helpless wreck. Appearances deceived him. The patriarch Isaac had his misgivings about the one who, with savory dish in hand, and claiming to be Esau, asked for his father’s blessing, but he thought he might at any rate, trust his feelings. He did so, and was deceived thereby. Had the patriarch and the unfortunate captain woven truth with their trust, they wouldn’t have been mistaken.
Would you make sure against steering your vessel by a false light, and making eternal shipwreck? “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)). “The entrance of Thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130)). Would you have the truth itself without any human adulteration? “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-65Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5‑6)). “The truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:2121If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (Ephesians 4:21)). He said, “I am the truth” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)). An old Christian once said, In coming to the Word of God, you will do well to remember three things:
1. Add nothing to it.
2. Take nothing from it.
3. Change nothing in it.
Three men in uniform stood talking together in the waiting-room of a country railway station — a policeman, a soldier, and the stationmaster. The policeman looked up at the clock and asked, referring to a piece of paper pasted across the face of the clock, “What does that mean?”
“She hasn’t been keeping the time lately,” said the station-master, “and not wanting anyone to be deceived by her, I placed that cover on her face. But if you want the exact time,” he said, bringing his watch from his pocket, “I can give it to you. It is just three minutes to train time.”
What a sensible thing, I thought, as I stood by. He has learned by experience that the clock isn’t to be trusted, and he treats it accordingly. May many self-occupied souls learn a lesson from this railway official, and write across the feelings and emotions of their own hearts, “Not to be trusted.” It is not that our feelings are always wrong. Indeed, we know they aren’t. A clock that never makes a tick is sure to be right twice in twenty-four hours. Nor would we say a word against happy feelings. No, there is something wrong in the believer’s walk or ways if he doesn’t feel happy. All we say is, If you don’t want to be self-deceived, don’t trust self in any way. Don’t rest your assurance on the brightest frame of mind ever experienced or on all your happy feelings put together. Be glad of them if you have them, but as soon as you get occupied with them instead of with Christ, all that is worth keeping about them will vanish, and you will be left chartless and without compass on a changing sea of doubt and misgiving.