Don’t Deceive Yourself Self-deception is one of the most dangerous spiritual conditions because it blinds a person while convincing them they see clearly. Many people are sincere, active, and religious—yet spiritually deceived. Scripture repeatedly warns believers not about deceiving others, but about deceiving themselves. This sermon is a call to honest self-examination under the light of God’s Word. 1. SELF-DECEPTION IS A REAL SPIRITUAL DANGER James 1:22 — “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” You can: Hear the Word and still be deceived Know the truth and still live a lie Be in church and be far from God Spiritual exposure without obedience produces illusion, not transformation. Key truth: Hearing without doing creates false confidence. 2. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY IS NOT THE SAME AS OBEDIENCE Matthew 7:21–23 Many will say, “Lord, Lord,” but Jesus responds, “I never knew you.” They prophesied, cast out devils, and worked miracles—yet lived in disobedience. Warning: Gifts do not replace character Ministry does not replace intimacy Activity does not replace obedience You can function publicly and still fail privately. 3. SELF-DECEPTION OFTEN COMES THROUGH WRONG MEASURES 2 Corinthians 10:12 Comparing ourselves among ourselves leads to deception. We deceive ourselves when: We measure holiness by people, not Scripture We excuse sin because “others are doing worse” We justify compromise with culture Proverbs 14:12 — “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” What “feels right” is not always “God-approved.” 4. YOU CANNOT MOCK GOD THROUGH SELF-DECEPTION Galatians 6:7–8 — “Be not deceived; God is not mocked…” Self-deception does not deceive God. God sees motives God weighs hearts God judges truthfully What you sow in secret, you will reap openly. 5. THE WORD OF GOD IS THE CURE FOR SELF-DECEPTION Hebrews 4:12 The Word: Discerns motives Exposes hypocrisy Separates truth from assumption Psalm 139:23–24 “Search me, O God… and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Deliverance begins when you allow God to search you. 6. SIGNS YOU MAY BE DECEIVING YOURSELF You defend sin instead of repenting You resist correction You quote Scripture but ignore conviction You blame others for personal disobedience You are comfortable with spiritual stagnation 1 Corinthians 3:18 — “Let no man deceive himself.” CONCLUSION Self-deception is subtle, progressive, and dangerous—but it is curable. God does not expose us to shame us, but to save us. The goal is not condemnation, but true repentance, alignment, and transformation. 2 Corinthians 13:5 — “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…” CALL TO RESPONSE Pray sincerely: “Lord, remove every false assurance. Align my life with Your truth. Deliver me from self-deception, and make me a doer of Your Word.” Abiodun Kadri #DontDeceiveYourself #SelfExamination #DoersOfTheWord #SpiritualTruth #HolinessAndObedience #ExamineYourself #ChristianGrowth #LivingTheWord #KingdomIntegrity #BibleTeaching

Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen! 📜: Matthew 22:14 — “For many are called, but few are chosen.” 🔹The statement of Jesus in Matthew 22:14 is both a call to reflection and a warning to every believer. It reveals the difference between being invited and being accepted, between hearing the Gospel and living it. God has called all men to repentance and eternal life through Jesus Christ, but not everyone responds in obedience and faith. 🔹 1. THE CALL IS UNIVERSAL Matthew 11:28 – “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” God’s invitation is open to everyone — rich or poor, young or old, educated or unlearned. Through the Gospel, the Lord extends His hand of grace to all mankind. Yet, not everyone will answer the call. Some ignore it, others postpone it, and many simply reject it outright. 💬: God calls through His Word, His servants, and even through life’s circumstances. It is our duty to respond. 🔹 2. FEW RESPOND TO THE CALL Matthew 7:13–14 – “Enter ye in at the strait gate… because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” The path to life is narrow because it demands surrender, holiness, and obedience. Many want the blessings of God but reject the discipline of His kingdom. The few who are chosen are those who submit to God’s will, no matter the cost. 💬: The chosen ones are not selected by favoritism, but by their obedience, faith, and perseverance. 🔹 3. CHARACTER OF THE CHOSEN John 15:16 – “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you…” The chosen are those who: Bear fruit that glorifies God. Live a life of righteousness and holiness. Walk daily in love, humility, and obedience. Endure to the end despite trials and persecution. 💬: Being chosen is a lifestyle, not a title. 🔹 4. GOD TESTS THOSE HE CHOOSES 1 Peter 1:7 – “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold…” Before God uses a man greatly, He often tests him deeply. Abraham was tested, Joseph was refined in prison, David was proven in the wilderness, and the apostles were tried through persecution. Those who endure are the true chosen. 💬: Your trials are not meant to destroy you, but to prove your faith and strengthen your calling. 🔹 5. MANY START, BUT FEW FINISH Galatians 5:7 – “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” It’s not enough to be called or to start the Christian race — we must finish it well. The chosen are those who stay faithful until the end. 💬: Stay vigilant, steadfast, and focused. Salvation is a journey, not a moment. 🔹Every believer must ask: Am I among the called or among the chosen? God is calling many today through the preaching of the Gospel, but only those who respond in obedience, holiness, and faithfulness will be counted among the chosen. Revelation 17:14 – “...and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” May we be found among the faithful ones who follow Christ to the end. 🙏 Pray This PRAYER Lord, thank You for calling me out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Father, help me to walk worthy of Your calling in holiness and truth. O Lord, count me among Your chosen vessels in this generation. Every distraction that can pull me away from my divine calling, let it be destroyed. Lord, keep me faithful till the end. If you are blessed comment #ManyAreCalledFewAreChosen #ChristianSermon #FaithfulBelievers #KingdomCalling #HolinessAndObedience #ChosenGeneration #EndTimeMessage #JesusIsComing #GospelTruth #AbiodunKadriMinistry