Self-Deception by M. E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 28, 1863

Self-Deception.

By M. E. Cornell

THE danger of self-deception must be very great, judging from the many solemn warnings of the Bible against it. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. xiv, 12. It is even possible for persons to be poor, miserable, blind, and know it not, but at the same time they feel rich and increased with goods. See the message to the Laodiceans. Rev. iii.

Sincerity gives no certain evidence of genuine religion. Saul of Tarsus was sincere. He verily thought he ought to do many things contrary to Jesus of Nazareth. As a man thinketh so is he. If he thinks wrong he is wrong. He may answer a bad conscience all his life, and yet be lost in the end. It is only safe to follow the dictates of a “good conscience.”

When many important truths are being brought to light, and it is found necessary to study the Bible much to defend the new truths we have embraced, there is danger that we shall rest satisfied with the theory of the truth. The mere theory will never save a single soul. The truth may be seen, and yet not be loved. The head may be full of light, while the heart is still cold. Fallen angels both know and believe the truth. It is possible for a man to have an intellectual approbation of the truth, and yet know nothing of its sanctifying power. He sees the truth, but is not affected by it. His head is filled with ideas, but his affections are unmoved. When he speaks it is from the abundance of his head and not of his heart. But true religion is more than brain deep; it affects the heart as well as the head. It brings love as well as light, and engages the feelings as well as the intellect. The world is full of the religion of the intellect, but we see very little of the life, the love, and the power, of genuine piety. What is needed most is the warming influence of the Spirit of God upon the heart. Then the Christian’s light will shine out in good works. To shine is not enough. The glow-worm can do so. Some very cold substances emit light. But light without heat is of but little use. Our hearts must burn with the holy fire.

Some think they are safe because they have the fear of God. They do not realize that it is possible to fear God and yet to not sincerely love him. It is said of the Samaritans, “They feared the Lord and served their own gods.” 2 Kings xvii, 33. Satan had blinded their minds so that they were satisfied with a false hope.

It is said that when the ostrich is closely pursued, he will dive his head into the sand, and remain perfectly still until the hunter has him fast. Because his eyes are covered he imagines that his whole body is out of sight. Foolish bird! What an illustration of self-deception in those who claim to be the wisest of creation! A man is baptized and thinks himself sure of heaven. He has a little truth, and it puts out his eyes. He can see no more. His head is covered by his profession in the church, and he realizes not that the whole body of the sins of his flesh is still exposed to view. He is self-deceived.

The Bible warns of the danger. “Let no man deceive himself.” “Let every man prove his own work.” “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” “Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” “Looking diligently lest any man fall of the grace of God.” “Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.” “Many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” “Be not deceived.”

“Mistaken souls, that dream of heaven, And make their empty boast Of inward joys and sins forgiven, While they are slaves to lust.”

Away with tobacco, jewelry, hoops, the love of the world, and the pride of life. These cannot go in the narrow way. Let the flesh be crucified with the affections and lusts. Walk as Jesus walked, overcome and be saved. M. E. CORNELL.