For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false (2 Thess 2:11). The ultimate fulfilment of this verse will happen after the coming of the lawless one or Anti-Christ. Yet, writing in the mid 50’s A.D, Paul also warned the church at Thessalonica that the secret power of lawlessness is already at work (v7) deceiving people so they believed what was false. I always think of this verse when I read or hear people today espousing their ludicrous ideas and beliefs not just about religion but every aspect of life. I ask myself, “How in the world can anyone in their right mind believe such nonsense and stupidity?” Even more alarming, so many believe what is false and their number is rapidly increasing.
In various versions, the phrase deluding influence is translated strong delusion, power of deceit, and a powerful delusion. The literal wording is ‘a working of error’. The word false is most often translated lie. The reason God will send a delusion is they refused to love the truth and so be saved (v10). Throughout the New Testament the writers, warned believers of the danger of deception especially in the last days. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits (1Tim 4:1). Little children, make sure no one deceives you (1Jn 3:7). Be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men (2 Pet 3:17). In these three examples, deceitful, deceives, and, error, are from the same word translated deluding influence and shows delusion was already working in the first century. This also indicates when God sends a deluding influence after the lawless one is revealed, the delusion will be far greater and more powerful. Many commentators say it will be impossible for anyone to accept truth after that point.
Last week someone asked me if evil has increased in the world or do, we just hear more about wickedness because of our increased ability of sharing information around the world. The answer is both and the fact there is so many more people. It is estimated world population reached one billion people in 1804. As of 2016, statisticians calculate the world population reached 7.4 billion. It has increased by 5 billion in just my lifetime. A simply conclusion here is that the more people born sinners, the more sin that is taking place. As false teaching goes unchecked, the further people fall into sinful lifestyles. This relates to Romans 1:18-32 in which Paul gives a long list of sins that humanity was committing. An important insight from these verses is the levels of sin and the fact people can reach a point that God gives them over to their sin. Three times Paul declares God gave them over (vs 24, 26, 28) to their sin and it appears this brought them into an even lower level of sin. The last and lowest level is what I call The Pit of a Depraved Mind. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper (Rom 28). Dr. John Gill (1690-1771) wrote, “God gave them over to a reprobate mind; a vain empty mind, worthless, good for nothing devoid of all true knowledge and judgment; incapable of approving what is truly good, or of disapproving that which is evil; a mind that has lost all conscience of things, and is disapproved of by God, and all good men”
This answers my question, “How in the world can anyone in their right mind believe such nonsense and stupidity?” Because their sin has become so great, God has given them over to a mind unable to think or comprehend His truth. Only by the power of prayer and the working of the Holy Spirt, can individuals who have fallen to this level come to an understanding of truth and be saved. This stresses the importance that Christians need to pray for people regardless of how sinful they are. A warning also comes from this: God will eventually allow the man or woman who turns from the truth to have their way, and fall deeper and deeper into error, and reap all the evil consequences of loving darkness rather than light. When the lawless one is revealed and God sends a deluding influence, all hope is gone. Until then sinners can still receive the truth of the Gospel, repent, and become followers of Christ. James writes that Christians can help a sinner turn from the error of his way (5:20). Error is the same word used for deluding influence.
Historians estimate 300 million people inhabited the earth at the time of Jesus. Even then, He cried out, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Mat 9:37, 38). The reason God will send a deluding influence is they did not receive the love of the truth (v10). The lessons and encouragement for believers—it is not too late, we should pray for those who speak out of a depraved mind (especially our leaders), pray for workers, and most important love the truth of God’s word letting it guide our every thought and action. We are the salt and the light of the world.
Sustaining Word for the Week: We don’t have to believe the nonsense and stupidity the world espouses. By our knowledge of Christ, He has given us everything required for life and godliness and called us to be bearers of truth.