Costumes 2 – Self Deception

Pastor Chris FluittSermons

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Ever know someone who lied so much that they started to believe their own lie? Self deception can be tricky! It is very easy to spot in others and rare to see in our selves. BUT IT DOES HAPPEN TO US ALL..
Chances are that you are self deceived about something right now… So what should we do about that?
Here 3 things to do..
#1 Pray
#2 Listen
#3 Change

Costumes 2 – Self Deception from Redemption Church on Vimeo.

 

Costumes 2 – Self Deceived

Sermon notes by Chris Fluitt

Redemption Church Plano Tx

**Vid bumper
Wearing a costume on October 31st won’t turn heads.. but wearing costumes any other day will cause questions and worry for your sanity.
Welcome back to the 2nd week of our Costumes series.  My name is Chris Fluitt. I am the lead pastor here at Redemption Church…  And this is my Halloween costume memory…
THE MUMMY I wanted to be a spooky mummy but I kind of just was miserable.  My mom worked hard on my costume but costumes never quite turn out like you think they will as a kid. I pictured being this very scary mummy monster… but instead my underwear kept showing and that was embarrassing and it was also very cold this Halloween night and I just wanted to go home..
Have you ever dressed up in a costume? Text our anonymous line 214 856 0550. We got some funny stories last week. Here is one… Some anonymous soul shared that they once dressed up like a Gypsy woman… then they shared that they were a male…! and that their brother pulled their beads and made them cry.
Take out your phones and text us in as we see another costume
**Vid Illustration – Work
 
A costume is something you wear that hides your true identity.
We have all known someone who has told a lie so long that they start to believe it…

  • I’m good at my job.. I’m the best at my job..
  • As soon as I have time I am going to change this about my life..
  • My life is harder than their life..
  • I don’t have a choice..
  • I don’t gossip I am just really care for people and what is happening in their lives..
  • I am not a bad driver.. these cars just need to get out of my way better..
  • I don’t judge people… how dare they say that.. they are the ones that are dumb disgusting and stupid.
  • I shouldn’t have to deal with this… I am too young.. I am too old..

Self Deception
We put on these costumes and then look in the mirror and think we are what we have put on. We are self-deceived. Being self-deceived is a particularly difficult struggle.
 
-How many of you would say that Self Deception is something you struggle with? Raise your hand..
-How many of you know someone else who is self-deceived? Raise your hand..
 
Being self-deceived is a particularly difficult struggle, BECAUSE WE MAY NOT RECOGNIZE IT!  Could it be that we are self-deceived?
At least consider for a moment that what you have been telling yourself is not true. Consider that the picture you have of yourself might not be true.  Consider that how you define your life may not be how others define your life.
Could it be that you have an inaccurate view of yourself?
Now this is really difficult but I want you to try to stop thinking… Bill from accounting ought to hear this message.. I hope my husband is listening.. I am going to share this sermon on my facebook wall in hopes that a certain annoying person sees it..
NO NO NO! Stop it!  This sermon might be great for them… BUT IT IS FOR YOU!  A self deceived person always thinks the message is for someone else… God wants to talk to you today. God wants to reveal truth to you today
 
-The longer we see ourselves in the costume the more likely to believe it is our identity
Psalm 36:1 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.(NIV)
Psalm 36:2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.(NIV)
Psalm 36:3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.(NIV)
 
Look at verse 2 again.. they flatter themselves too much… to the point that they cannot detect sin.. or hate their sin.. if you can’t detect it you can’t avoid it.
Someone might share some wisdom with you in order to help you but you don’t see what the big deal is.. you can’t detect a problem. You don’t see the costume.
Self Deception
Everyone says it is a problem… *denial* but it is not a problem for me. I don’t have a problem.
Everyone says I am rude…  I just tell it like it is. People are too sensitive.
Everyone says I am prideful… I am just better than everyone else. They are jealous.
I don’t have a problem..
 
The Bible warns of those that flatter themselves so that they can no longer detect sin… they can no longer detect the truth.
 
You have seen American Idol. You have seen those contestants who think they are the best singer in the world. BUT THEY ARE SELF DECEIVED and you sit on your couch at home and laugh at how terrible they are.  You have asked “do they really not know that they are terrible?”
You have friends family and coworkers that you have asked… “do they really not know? How can they possibly not see what we all clearly see?”  THEY ARE SELF DECEIVED.
*over confident prideful* No I don’t need any help. I don’t need your advice. I have it all under control.
*I don’t have a problem* Everyone is concerned that you drink to much.. you have a drug problem…
*It’s not my fault* I know there is a problem.. but It’s not my fault.. you just don’t undesrtand
*you’re the one with the real problem*

lies we tell ourselves

psalm 36:2 If we can’t detect it.. we can’t hate it.
What is your self deception?
I want to challenge you to write it down..  If you don’t know what you struggle with then write “SEARCH ME OH GOD”
We won’t ask you to reveal this to anyone.. but you need to stop with the pride and flattery so you can detect & hate your sin.
 
I usually avoid the word hate. I can’t stand the word hate… but in order to bring change to our life we need to…

  1. Detect the Problem.
  2. Strongly dislike the status quo.  Hate the current state.
  3. Take the mask off
  4. Work to change

-The longer we see ourselves in the costume the more likely to believe it is our identity
Could it be you have been wearing the costume too long?
 
-The more convinced you are right the more likely you are wrong
The Pharisees were religious leaders. They were certain that they were right and that Jesus was wrong. Jesus told them – You know the law but not the God who made the law.
They were convinced they were right but they were wrong.
 
Peter was adamant in…
Matthew 26:33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”(NIV)
Matthew 26:34 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”(NIV)
Matthew 26:35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.(NIV)
Peter argued with the Lord. Jesus had never been wrong before but Peter was convinced that Jesus was wrong here… Peter was wearing a mask that said *other people might have a problem but not me*
The more you flip out.. the more you are defensive.. the angrier you get.. the more likely you are wrong.
This is the nature of our costumes.
 
Vid Illustration – Family photos
 
It is difficult to help self deceived people..
Listen from your perspective

  1. Pray

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.(NIV)
Psalm 139:24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.(NIV)

    1. Edgy ministry complaints
    2. Prayer will help you get past the pride & flattery that hides the problem.
  1. Listen

Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.(NIV)Stand in the way
Proverbs 15:32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.(NIV)

    1. LIFE GIVING REBUKE. It is possible to tell someone about a problem without being a mean jerk. It is possible that the people talking to you are trying to help you.

Listen to advice and wisdom that betters you. LIFE GIVING REBUKES are not flattering but they will save you!

    1. If more than one person who loves you is telling you there is a problem… THEN THERE IS A PROBLEM.  LISTEN!

Relationship.. Anger.. Financial..
If more than one person who loves you is telling you there is a problem… THEN THERE IS

  • Some of you need to give a life giving rebuke.
  • We all at different times in our life need to receive a life giving rebuke.
  1. Change.
    1. God will help you. Your true friends will help you. Your church family will help you… Connect Group will help you.

 
You can change. You can take your costume off today.
God can do something so beautiful in you that you would never want to hide it.
In a moment I am going to open this altar. I want you to come to this altar I trash your self deception.
 

lies we tell ourselves