A Strong Delusion

Dean Gotcher

Believing a lie: that our "human nature" is "good" or has the potential of becoming "good,"
when in truth it engenders "the pleasures of unrighteousness," i.e. the praxis of deceit and wickedness.

God says:

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12 emphasis added

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
    If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach." 1 Timothy 4:1-11 emphasis added

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts [according to "human nature"] shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears [loving the sensation of pleasure]; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables [practicing theories, i.e. dialoguing men's opinions]." 2 Timothy 4:3, 4 emphasis added

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes [a man's opinion is always good in his own eyes]: but the LORD pondereth the hearts [the opinion of a man, i.e. his heart's desire, when it comes to righteousness, is deceitful and wicked]." Proverbs 21:2 emphasis added

"The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil ["human nature"]." Psalms 36:1-4; Proverbs 6:12-19 emphasis added

"Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." Proverbs 27:20 emphasis added

Man says:

"When a man has finally reached the point where he does not think he knows it better than others [when there is no absolute "right and wrong"], that is when he has become indifferent to what they have done badly and he is interested only in what they have done right [according to man's "sense perception," i.e. according to "human nature," with man augmenting "enjoyment," i.e. pleasure, i.e. "lust"], then peace and affirmation have come to him." (G. F. W. Hegel, in one of the casual notes preserved at Widener; in Carl Friedrich, The Philosophy of Hegel) emphasis added

"Experience is, for me, the highest authority." "Neither the Bible nor the prophets, neither the revelations of God can take precedence over my own direct experience." (Carl Rogers, on becoming a person)

"Physical experiences ["sense experience"] cause a change in our theories and concepts about the physical world." "The objective sought will not be reached so long as the new set of values is not experienced by the individual as something freely chosen." "Man-made experiences, so-called experiments, which grew out of the systematic search for the truth were necessary to bring about a change from less adequate [beliefs] to more adequate concepts [theories]." "The basic task of re-education is to change the individual's social perception, thereby changing the individual's social action." (Kenneth Benne, Human Relations in Curriculum Change)

"Re-education aims to change the system of values and beliefs of an individual or a group." (Principles of Re-education Kurt Lewin and Paul Grabbe "Conduct, Knowledge, and Acceptance of New Values" )

"Educational philosophies in a democratic society are likely to emphasize strongly democratic values. These four values are: The importance of every human being [making "human nature," man's "sense experience," God]. Opportunity for wide participation in social groups in society [no restraint of "human nature"]. Encouragement of variability of life styles ["human nature" in all its "forms" (depravity) becoming the "norm"].   Faith in intelligence [faith in sensuousness, in man―engendering a system of "equality," augmenting the sensuousness of pleasure] rather than authority [faith in righteousness, in God―engendering a "top-down" system, restraining the sensuousness of pleasure]." (Ralph Tyler in Education for Responsible Citizenship by Frank Brown) bracketed added

"... the central problem of democracy is not the discovery of some optimal solution or standard for ranking incommensurate values; ... The central problem of democracy is instead the formation of a somewhat vaguely defined 'postconventional' consensus through which everyone affected by a decision must be able to participate in reaching it [whereby man's "sense experience," i.e. carnality becomes the source for determining right from wrong]." (Stephen Eric Bronner, Of Critical Theory and Its Theorists)

"We are proud that in his conduct of life man has become free from external authorities, which tell him what to do and what not to do." (Erick Fromm, Escape from Freedom)

"Walden Two: 'Now that we know how positive reinforcement [augmenting the sensuousness of pleasure] works, and why negative [restraining the sensuousness of pleasure] doesn't'... 'we can be more deliberate and hence more successful in our cultural design. We can achieve a sort of control under which the controlled, though they are following a code much more scrupulously than was ever the case under the old system, nevertheless feel free. They are doing what they want to do, not what they are forced to do. That's the source of the tremendous power of positive reinforcement―there's no restrain and no revolt. By a careful design, we control not the final behavior, but the inclination to behavior―the motives, the desires, the wished. The curious thing is that in that case the question of freedom never arises." (Carl Rogers, on becoming a person)

"There is evidence in our data that once a change in behavior has occurred ['liberating' sensuousness from the restraints of righteousness], a change in beliefs is likely to follow." (Leon Festinger)

Leon Festinger worked on projects where ministries make predictions that did not come true, yet the followers became ever more loyal to the ministry. It is the bond of "human relationships," the "approval of men" (the praises of men), which is the most intoxicating of all the pleasures of life.

When God declared that "It is not good that man be alone" he declared our need for "relationship." Yet with God it is always a "top-down" relationship, with the woman under Adam and Adam and the woman both (all mankind) under God, according to the spirit. With man it is always an "equality" relationship because all men are bound to "human nature," i.e. subject to the flesh and yet always a "top-down" system, with those not of the "in-group," of the "out-group"―those of the the world being of the "in-group," i.e. the "out-group" being those made righteous in Christ, while with those made righteousness in Christ being of the "in-group," the world always being of the "out-group."   In the apostate, "human relationship church" (the "church" of 'change, i.e. the "of the world" church) the righteous in Christ (the 'resisters' of 'change') are of the "out-group" when they refuse to participate in the process of 'change,' i.e. participate in "equality." Even those who seek to undo the "in-group"-"out-group," "top-down" system fall victim to the system themselves ("equality" only be an illusion used by those who want to control and use the "masses" for their own carnal gain, setting themselves above).

The "in-group"-"out-group" issue was the focus (concerning man only) of those (social engineers such as the Frankfurt School) regarding the development and implementation of Fascism (what they correlated to nationalism, i.e. conservatism, i.e. religion, i.e. the traditional "top-down" family system) over and against Globalism (socialism, i.e. 'liberalism,' i.e. humanism, i.e. the "community" of "equality" family), with "the group" being their only concern. The the individual apart from "the group" (even under God) is considered as being "maladjusted." "It is not individualism that fulfills the individual, on the contrary it destroys him. Society is the necessary framework through which freedom and individuality are made realities." (Karl Marx)

With God there is always an "in-group," above (spirit, for man, born again "of the spirit") and an "out-group," below (flesh, man born only "of the flesh"). With man there can only be an "ingroup"-"out-group" conflict from below (those of the illusion of "equality" seeking to be in the carnal "in-group" "below" and not of the carnal "out-group" "below," i.e. in their mind's eye all are from below) and, apart from God above (man living in His righteousness, imputed by God above to men of faith in Him, below), man can only be of the "equality" of eternal death, i.e. for both the "in-group" and the "out-group" below. Those of dialectic 'reasoning' can only see the world from below, 'justifying' man's carnal "human nature." As Norman Brown stated it: "Parental discipline, religious denunciation of bodily pleasure [both of a "top-down," above-below, "in-group"-"out-group" system], . . . have all left man overly docile [having faith in a higher authority than his carnal "human nature" because of having been raised up in a "top-down" system, i.e. the traditional home], but secretly in his unconscious unconvinced [still being drawn to be "equal" with the world, finding unity with it according to his carnal (sinful) "human nature"; Genesis 3:1-6], and therefore neurotic [caught between flesh ("human nature"), below and spirit (parental restraint of "human nature"), above]." "The bondage of all cultures to their cultural heritage [nationalism] is a neurotic construction [engendering an "in-group"-"out-group," above-below, parent above child, God above man, spirit above flesh conflict]." "Neurotic symptoms [man with his "guilty conscience" yet trying to 'justify himself, i.e. his "human nature"], with their fixations on perversions and obscenities [man still of the flesh, tempted by and drawn to be at-one-with the world; Romans 7:14-25], demonstrate the refusal of the unconscious essence of our being [our sinful "human nature" refusing] to acquiesce in the dualism of flesh and spirit, higher and lower [refusing to submit to Hebrews 12:5-11]." (Norman O. Brown Life Against Death)

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:3-6 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 The blindness of those of dialectic 'reasoning' is due to their necessity to "measure" all things (evaluate all things "through human eyes," Karl Marx), thereby materializing all things ('justifying' their carnal ways). To them, if it is measurable (of the flesh, only from below) it is real, if they can not measure it (being of the spirit, from above), it is an illusion. Thus they are forever blind, dead in their sins. Rejecting faith in God (although they may dialogue with you the meaning of God, in a way that you might think they believe in Him, only to draw you after them, according to your flesh) they refuse to be born of the Spirit, i.e. to be born again, drawing all who follow them in their dialectic 'reasoning' (man measuring himself with himself, thereby 'justifying' his carnal "human nature" as being "good") down the pathway of the "out-group," which leads to eternal death.

Although "human relationship" is a big part of our life (we long for it no matter what we might say) it can not come between our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" Hebrews 12:9 "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven". Matthew 23:9 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:1, 2

God told Adam to "rule" (a "top-down" system) because he let "human relationship" ("equality" with the woman and the world) come between himself and God, i.e. making "human nature," that which all men (women and children) have in common, the standard for determining "right" from "wrong"), i.e. making himself (in his thoughts and actions) "equal" with God, a dialectic construct where "God's tree is everyone's tree," i.e. "God's garden is everyone's garden."

"The individual accepts the new system of values and beliefs ["humanism," "group thinking," the "new" world order of "equality"] by accepting belongingness to the group [the feeling of "oneness," of "equality" in "human relationship," manifested in consensus, man uniting with man upon what he has in common, i.e. his carnal (unrighteous) "human nature," putting aside the "top-down" doctrines of the Word of God which divide (are considered as being divisive, cause dissention), to initiate and sustain "unity," i.e. the "brotherhood," i.e. liberté, égalité, fraternité, i.e. liberty, equality, fraternity, all of the flesh]." (Kurt Lewin in Kenneth Benne, Human Relations in Curriculum Change) "The more enlightened [the more 'rational,' the more 'sensible,' the more 'tolerant' of "ambiguity," the more carnal] the religious institutions get, that is to say, the more liberal they get [the more they trust in the feelings, thoughts, and actions of men, the more they trust in "human experience," the more they seek to know right from wrong through the use of polls, surveys, and feasibility studies, focusing upon what man has in common instead of contrasting between what is right and what is wrong according to God's Word, i.e. being "judgmental"], the greater will be the advantage for an enterprise run in an enlightened way." "Enlightenment management and humanistic supervision [read "top-down," i.e. "big brother," i.e. Antichrist] can be a brotherhood situation." "Enlightened economics must assume as a prerequisite synergic institutions set up in such a way that what benefits one benefits all." (Abraham Maslow, Maslow on Management) This describes the "contemporary" church today.

Don't be deceived:

How you "feel" and what you "think" (your opinion amongst the opinions of men, of sensuousness) are not your friends. While we all have our "feelings" and "thoughts," if we trust in them they will take us down the pathway to Hell. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." Proverb. 3: 5-6 "Cursed is the man who trust in man and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is." Jeremiah 17:5, 7 What the Lord says (in and of His righteousness) is your friend. "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the God." Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 God's word will lead you to eternal life (for He is life). Where will you spend eternity? With your friends who "enjoyed" the pleasure of this life, seeking "equality with the world," in eternal damnation. Or with your friends who love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, in the presence of the Lord, His Heavenly Father, and the heavenly hosts. You just have to decide which friends you want to "hang around with," i.e. spend eternity with. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29s

Don't be deceived. Satan can present himself as an angel of light (to become your "best friend"). "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." 2 Corinthians 11: 14, 15

"Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness." Luke 11:35

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness [sensuousness, their "human nature"] rather than light [the righteousness of Christ, being obedient to His Heavenly Father in all things, calling us to do the same, in Him], because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil [seeks after sensuousness] hateth the light [hates righteousness], neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved [lest he be chastened]. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:19-21 bracketed added It is better to repent and face the chastening of God and live than to 'justify' yourself and face the wrath of God and die.

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." "And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.   I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:12, 23-24, 31-32, 34-36

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" Ephesians 6:10-18 bold added

2 Peter 2:1-9

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2 Peter 2:10-17

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

2 Peter 2:18-22

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Romans 1:17-23

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

1 Timothy 3:1-17

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
    Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
    Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.