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We have to admit to ourselves that we have a tremendous capacity to deceive ourselves, by making ourselves believe what is convenient to us, irrespective of whether it is true or not (Je.17:9). It is possible to convince ourselves that we are right, when we are actually wrong (Pr.21:2). Doesn't this give us sufficient reason to want to allow God's truth to search us? It is also good for us to listen to feedback we get from others.

One thing some Christians do when they are sick is to tell themselves that God is going to heal them. They know God is able to heal and also that He has healed others miraculously. That is true. But can they be sure they will be healed, unless God tells them specifically? Many people do die of sickness even after they pray. We cannot be sure by claiming to have faith and holding on to it (Ro.10:17). Claiming faith blindly is a way of escaping from the reality that is very painful for people to face.

Some imagine that they are doing a great act of faith when they commit some problem into God's hands, and think that now it is God's responsibility to resolve the matter. Committing things to God in the sense of recognising His almighty power and love, and becoming willing to do whatever He tells us is a good thing. But that is different from passing the responsibility to God for dealing with the problem and unconsciously ignoring our own responsibilities in the matter. For example, people refuse to take the treatment God has made available to them, do not take responsibility for disciplining children or handling money, etc. We must not run away from what we need to do, by passing things on to God.

Young people ask God to help them find the right person to marry. But when someone comes along their way, they just assume that this must be the one whom God has sent, and do not make the effort to find out what kind of a person this is. People whom we meet in life are not all from God, are they? But it is easier to 'trust in God' in this way than to make the effort to check things out to see if this is according to God's revealed will.

Many Christians think salvation is entirely by grace, and that we must not do anything on our part but leave it all to God. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Ti.2:11,12). If we don't deny ourselves when we face temptations and make the choice to obey God's ways, can we really expect that God will mystically transform us into His image?

Self deception is at work. God's plan of salvation for us is that He will forgive our sins, and give us power to deny ourselves and make the choice for God every time we are tempted, in order to make us to be the kind of people He originally wanted, who will trust Him, depend on Him and do everything He tells us. It is easier to leave things to God thinking we have faith.

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