do not be deceived... by self...

Thoughts of a loved one struggling... cause me to consider our capacity for self-deception...

This morning's waking thought... Do not be deceived...

Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside). [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality), will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 Amp

We deceive... and delude... self... when our professions of faith are only words... no heart engaged... no surrender... to His will and way...

Sowing to the flesh... to our sensual nature... we reap only destruction...

And I see a misunderstanding... by which we often delude self... a truth about His nature... often misconstrued...

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalm 103:6 ESV

Yes... He is... slow to anger... merciful... gracious...

Self-deceit begins... when we mistake His slowness of anger... as acceptance of our worldly ways... or believe Him indifferent... when we wander...

Hearts grow hard... as sin... and sowing to flesh... continues... conviction suppressed... no immediate consequence experienced... when His quiet voice warns... 

Self... unwittingly... mocks Him... 

No... do... not... be... deceived...

You will reap what you sow... what you bury in your heart... in the secret place... it grows... it manifests... and growth... takes... time...

Consider with me today... His mercy... grace... and slowness of anger...

Where are you mistaking His grace... for tolerance... acceptance... of what you're sowing in your life...?