We are made to understand in the Scriptures that there are several things that deceive us, which include: the deceitfulness of Riches (Money); the CARES of life; lusts of the flesh and the pride of life (and love of the honour of people); the devil and his demons; people of the World; False Prophets/Pastors, etc.

However, the GREATEST of all is Self deception: the state of DECEIVING ONESELF. When we are not willing to accept the TRUTH, then deception certainly takes the place of it. Then "darkness" becomes ones REALITY:

Matt.6.23
... if the "light" you think you have is really "darkness", how DEEP that DARKNESS will be!

Self deception is what makes millions and millions of religious people prefer WORLDLY DOCTRINES to "sound doctrines".

When the words of the Pastor/Prophet/Church founder is terribly MORE important than the Bible and the Holy Spirit; right, a CERTAIN level of Self deception.

When a professing Christian CLEARLY sees or hears a "clear-cut" COMMAND of Jesus from the scriptures, and just shrug it off as something MINOR or unimportant: Self deception!

Why are so MANY "Hellbound" False Prophets/Pastors/Church founders flourishing, getting bigger and bigger by the day: Self deception. People despise the TRUTH; therefore, God himself allows them to BELIEVE LIES as their Reality:

2Thess.2.11 - So God will send GREAT DECEPTION upon them, and they will BELIEVE ALL these Lies. (of Men and the devil)

When we do not take God's Word seriously, but that of some "GREAT" Pastors or Religious Men, whose LIVES and doctrines are "CLEARLY" "disobeying" or "contradicting" the Words and the LIFE of Jesus; and other COMMANDS scattered through the New testament, but we say, "Well, he speaks so nicely, he's got GREAT gifts, POWER to do Miracles, Signs And Wonders, etc. Yes, very well: "Deep Deception" is sure. Matt. 24:24 and Matt. 7:15

Then people will start believing they are SAVED when they are thoroughly backslidden or deeply LOST.

Some might even start to think, "Well, I'm a hardworking Pastor/Worker in church, heaven must know that I'm very important!"

Exactly, not as important as Judas, Solomon, Samson and the likes, who were doing GREAT WORKS on the outside, but inwardly were gradually backsliding and on their way to HELL.

What Jesus requires of us is OBEDIENCE first, not sacrifices: good Religious/Church activities:

1John.2.3 - And how can we BE SURE that we belong to him? By OBEYING his commandments.

If we are serious, we would humble ourselves, REPENT and seek grace to OBEY according to the New testament, not necessarily Great Prosperous Men. More so, we would start MARKING these False Christianity or Religions of Great Men/Pastors/Prophets, and START avoiding them like the Plague.

1John.2.4 - If someone says, "I belong to God," but DOESN'T OBEY God's commandments, that person is a LIAR and DOES NOT live in the TRUTH.

1John.2.5 - But those who OBEY God's word "really" do LOVE him. That is THE WAY TO KNOW whether or "not" we LIVE in him.

1John.2.6 - Those "who say" they LIVE IN God SHOULD LIVE their lives as Christ DID.

May the Lord Jesus bless you.

Matt.6.23
... if the "light" you think you have is really "darkness", how DEEP that DARKNESS will be!

1John.2.6 - Those "who say" they LIVE IN God SHOULD LIVE their lives as Christ DID.