Many Practice Fraud upon Their Own Souls
 
By A. W. Tozer
 
 
If we say that we have no sin; we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.                    - 1 John 1:8
 
  Of all forms of deception, self-deception is the most
deadly, and of all deceived persons the self-deceived are
the least likely to discover the fraud!
 
    The reason for this is simple. When a man is deceived
by another he is deceived against his will. He is contend-
ing against an adversary and is temporarily the victim of
the other's guile.  Since he expects his foe to take
advantage of him he is watchful and quick to suspect
trickery.
 
     With the self-deceived it is quite different.  He is his
own enemy and is working a fraud upon himself.  He
wants to believe the lie and is psychologically
conditioned to do so. He does not resist the deceit
but collaborates with it against himself.  There is no
struggle, because the victim surrenders before the
fight begins.  He enjoys being deceived!
 
     It is altogether possible to practice fraud upon our
own souls and go deceived to judgment.  The farther we
push into the sanctuary the greater becomes the danger
of self-deception.  The deeply religious man is far more
vulnerable than the easygoing fellow who takes his
religion lightly.
 
     Before a man's heart has been wholly conquered by
the Spirit of God, he may be driven to try every dodge to
save  face  and preserve a semblance of his old
independence.  This is always dangerous and if persisted
in may prove calamitous!
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 Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.