In at least three specific instances, the process of self-deception leads to sin. The process itself consists of three acts of the will. Sin entered the world in three steps in the Garden of Eden.
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. –Genesis 3:6.
The steps are clearly outlined in 1 John 2:16:
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
Here they are:
- Lust of the flesh (“the woman saw”)
- Lust of the eyes (“it was a delight to the eyes”)
- Boastful pride of life (“desirable to make one wise”)
Another example is in the book of Joshua. When Joshua was giving the instructions to the people the day before they conquered Jericho, he specifically told them that they were to take no spoils from the victory. This was in accordance to Leviticus 27:28-29. This was going to be first-fruits victory in the land of Canaan and as such, was to be devoted to God. Unfortunately, one of the members of the tribe of Judah did not follow the command.
So Achan answered Joshua and said, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.” –Joshua 7:20-21.
We see the same pattern again here. The story of Eve is well known. We all know what happened with Eve and Adam. We may not remember or know what happened with Achan as a result of his choices.
Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan … his sons, his daughters, … his tent and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. –Joshua 7:24-25.
Achan and his whole family including all of his animals were executed!
Our last example may also be familiar. It deals with King David. After David had defeated Goliath and became king, you could say that David became complacent. In the Spring, when it was advantageous for kings to go to war, David decided to stay home. This is the beginning of a downturn in David’s reign, one precipitated by bad decisions.
Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearace. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her. –2 Samuel 11:2-4a.
David’s specific steps were that he saw Bathsheba first. Had he turned away and went back into his house, he would have been fine. But instead, he inquires of her. His servants told him that she was a married woman. But in spite of this, he then yields to temptation and distruction insues. The consequences affect his whole family and his children.
Although Jesus’ words were specifically talking about adultery, the imagery He uses is applicable to each of these Biblical characters as well as us today.
“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” –Matthew 5:29-30.
In the end, self-deception leads to sin. “Just one more quick look,” or “just one more sip of this bottle,” or “I can say ‘no’ to her/him,” etc., are all self-deceiving lies whispered to us by our adversary, the devil. May He” lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
May He Increase!
