In accordance with what the Bible tells us about the ways of the Lord with a wicked and rebellious people, millions of church-going believers in our nation are being given over to a spirit of delusion.

“Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, GOD GAVE THEM OVER to a depraved mind, to do those things that are not proper; people having been filled with all unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:28-29)

“Consequently GOD SENDS ON THEM A DELUDING INFLUENCE so that they will believe what is false.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11)

“For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that THEY ARE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

“They are pure vanity, the work of delusion and error. When the day of their visitation comes, they will be destroyed.” (Jeremiah 51:18)

What does being given over to a spirit of delusion look like in a soul, a community, and/or a culture?

12 Signs and Consequences of a Christian Being Given Over to a sPirit of Delusion:

1. You cannot also be filled with the Holy Spirit

2. You will not crave the fruit of the Spirit – you will crave and justify the fruit of the flesh

3. You will (increasingly?) suffer (literally) the natural, compounding consequences of unrighteousness

4. You will not be able to rightly bear a cross; you will have no means of true discipleship in Christ, and will therefore have no means to cultivate increased living faith in Christ Jesus

5. You will be found testifying to things that actually harm the reputation of God, and harm others.

6. You will seek out greater and greater religious zeal to make up for the lack of Spirit power in your life

7. You will listen to the destructive and divisive arguments/doctrines of demons

8. You will increasingly NOT walk in the light of honestly, vulnerability, poverty of spirit, humility, meekness etc., but instead walk in darkness, shame, isolation, and evil suspicion

9. You will fill your self with more and more of a “curse” – that will actually often manifest itself as “cursing”

10. “Prophetic” words (charismatic), and Biblical teaching (dispensational) are more and more about “saving self”, and less and less about exalting Jesus, or even mentioning Jesus at all.

11. Daily intimate fellowship with Jesus and His Word, and prayer (watching and praying) becomes more and more burdensome, and the invitation to political, social, ethical, religious zealotry becomes more and more appealing.

12. Ultimately, the terms of your own covenant with Jesus are on the table, and you find yourself questioning key elements of the gospel for yourself, and others.

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JSB • July, 2025