LAWLESSNESS, SINFULNESS, and DELUSIONS
Read it
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thess. 2:9-12)
Discover It
In the Bible, 2 Thessalonians is a letter from the Apostle Paul to a group of Christians in Thessalonica, a city in Greece that still exists today. In this letter Paul issues a prophetic warning to them about a “man of lawlessness” who will come during the end times to sow confusion and rebellion throughout the earth. As instances of lawlessness, sinfulness, and delusions skyrocket, those who stand firm will be saved.
Ask It
1. List at least three attributes of the “man of lawlessness” described in our scripture for today (verse 9). Name some ways we can have victory over lawless antichrists that have come to persecute the church in each age.
2. In addition to the man of lawlessness, end times scriptures also describe the proliferation of sin and rebellious lifestyles. The Bible lists some of them in 2 Timothy chapter 3 including people who are, “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God and having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Suggest some responses to people with such sin in their lives.
3. Also, in our focus scripture, the Bible says God will finally give up on the rebellious, sending them “a powerful delusion” (verse 11). Describe some delusional thinking in our world today. How can we defend ourselves lest we fall prey to the lies of Satan?
Live It
1. Be Aware of the Spirit of Antichrist in Our World. Some attributes are denying Jesus, leads people astray, opposes God, is against worship, performs false signs, and persecutes God’s people.
2. Be on Guard against Willful Sin and Rebellion. You do this by confirming every spiritual teaching with the Bible, by holding fast to Biblical teaching, by being aware of teachers and spiritual leaders, by knowing the core Christian doctrines, by discernment and prayer, and by staying grounded in scripture.
3. Fight Against the Delusions of Our Age. Do not compromise or be corrupted by the insanity of this present age. The Bible says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (1 Timothy 1:7)
Pray It
Lord, in these difficult days, help me to seek you with a clear mind. Grant me the strength to endure trials with grace and faith. Remind me of your promises, and fill me with your hope, even in my darkest moments. Help me to cast all my anxieties upon you. Renew me and fill me with your Holy Spirit, so I may face each day with courage and persistence. Give me strength as I lean upon you, knowing that You are my refuge and my fortress. Thank You for Your unfailing love and care. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen
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