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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Delusions</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/d/delusions.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/matthew/13-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/d/delusions.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Delusions</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/d/delusion.htm" title="Delusion">◄</a> Delusions <a href="/topical/d/delusive.htm" title="Delusive">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In the context of the Bible, delusions are often understood as false beliefs or deceptions that lead individuals away from the truth of God. The concept of delusion is closely tied to themes of deception, false prophecy, and spiritual blindness, which are recurrent throughout the Scriptures.<br><br><b>Old Testament References</b><br><br>The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of delusion, particularly in the context of idolatry and false prophecy. In <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16</a>, the prophet warns against listening to false prophets who speak visions from their own minds rather than from the mouth of the Lord: "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.'" Here, delusion is linked to the rejection of God's truth in favor of human invention.<br><br>Isaiah also speaks to the theme of delusion in <a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Isaiah 44:20</a>, where he describes the folly of idol worship: "He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'" This passage illustrates how delusion can lead individuals to place their trust in worthless and powerless objects, turning them away from the living God.<br><br><b>New Testament References</b><br><br>In the New Testament, delusion is often associated with the end times and the rise of false teachings. In <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-11.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:11-12</a>, the Apostle Paul writes about a strong delusion sent by God as a judgment upon those who refuse to love the truth: "For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness." This passage underscores the seriousness of rejecting the truth of the Gospel and the consequences that follow.<br><br>The theme of delusion is also present in the warnings against false teachers and antichrists. In 1 <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4:1</a>, believers are admonished to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This call to discernment highlights the need for vigilance against spiritual deception.<br><br><b>Spiritual Warfare and Delusion</b><br><br>Delusion is a key element in the spiritual warfare that believers face. <a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11-12</a> exhorts Christians to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The devil's schemes often involve deception and delusion, aiming to lead believers away from the truth.<br><br><b>The Role of Truth</b><br><br>The antidote to delusion is the truth of God's Word. Jesus declares in <a href="/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31-32</a>, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The truth of Scripture is the foundation upon which believers can stand firm against the delusions of the world and the deceptions of the enemy.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>While the Bible warns of the dangers of delusion, it also provides the means to overcome it through the truth of God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Believers are called to remain vigilant, discerning, and rooted in the truth to avoid the snares of delusion and to walk faithfully in the light of Christ.<a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/de_caussade/abandonment_to_divine_providence/letter_x_delusions_in_prayer.htm"><span class="l">Letter x. --<b>Delusions</b> in Prayer.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> SECOND BOOK: ON THE EXERCISE OF THE VIRTUE OF ABANDONMENT Letter X."<b>Delusions</b> in<br> Prayer. On the same subject. This is my reply about the person in question. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter x delusions in prayer.htm</font><p><a href="/library/teresa/the_life_of_st_teresa_of_jesus/chapter_xxi_conclusion_of_the.htm"><span class="l">Conclusion of the Subject. Pain of the Awakening. Light against <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter XXI. Conclusion of the Subject. Pain of the Awakening. Light Against<br> <b>Delusions</b>. 1. To bring this matter to an end, I say <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxi conclusion of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/brown/christ_the_way_the_truth_and_the_life/chapter_xxiv_how_shall_the.htm"><span class="l">How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> 9. Yea, they may come to this, to scout the whole gospel to be nothing but a heap<br> of <b>delusions</b>, and a cunningly-devised fable, or but mere notions and fancies. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxiv how shall the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/neander/the_first_epistle_of_john/1_john_iv_3-jan.htm"><span class="l">1 John iv. 1-3</span></a> <br><b>...</b> be hurried away as the blind instruments of every influence; or, detecting the<br> suggestions of the undivine spirit and seeking to avoid its <b>delusions</b>, might be <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iv 3-jan.htm</font><p><a href="/library/muller/answers_to_prayer/how_to_ascertain_the_will.htm"><span class="l">How to Ascertain the Will of God</span></a> <br><b>...</b> If so, I make myself liable to great <b>delusions</b>. <b>...</b> If I look to the Spirit alone<br> without the Word, I lay myself open to great <b>delusions</b> also. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/how to ascertain the will.htm</font><p><a href="/library/finney/sermons_on_gospel_themes/x_conditions_of_being_saved.htm"><span class="l">Conditions of Being Saved</span></a> <br><b>...</b> to be saved. When the Gospel was first preached, Satan had not introduced<br> as many <b>delusions</b> to mislead men as he has now. It was <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/x conditions of being saved.htm</font><p><a href="/library/athanasius/select_works_and_letters_or_athanasius/life_of_antony_section_37.htm"><span class="l">And Let this Also be a Token for You...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> did for Mary and Zacharias, and as he did who appeared to the women at the tomb;<br> but rather whenever they see men afraid they increase their <b>delusions</b> that men <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 37.htm</font><p><a href="/library/athanasius/select_works_and_letters_or_athanasius/life_of_antony_section_42.htm"><span class="l">If, Therefore, the Devil Himself Confesses that his Power is Gone. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> For when they come they approach us in a form corresponding to the state in which<br> they discover us [1082] , and adapt their <b>delusions</b> to the condition of mind <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 42.htm</font><p><a href="/library/finney/the_backslider_in_heart/iv_what_are_consequences_of.htm"><span class="l">What are Consequences of Backsliding in Heart.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 19. The backslider in heart will be full of his own <b>delusions</b>. <b>...</b> He will almost certainly<br> fall into <b>delusions</b> in regard to doctrines and in regard to practices. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../finney/the backslider in heart/iv what are consequences of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_d/he_is_beside_himself.htm"><span class="l">'He is Beside Himself'</span></a> <br><b>...</b> kinsman from danger, and laying hands upon Him, to carry Him off to some safe restraint<br> in Nazareth, where He might indulge His <b>delusions</b> without doing any <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/he is beside himself.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/d/delusions.htm"><span class="l"><b>Delusions</b> (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Delusions</b> (7 Occurrences). Matthew 13:22 He who<br> has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/delusions.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/delusion.htm"><span class="l">Delusion (12 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> de-lu'-zhun: (1) Isaiah 66:4, "I also will choose their <b>delusions</b>" (the Revised<br> Version, margin "mockings"), Hebrew ta`alulim, which occurs only here and <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/delusion.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/q/quite.htm"><span class="l">Quite (55 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 13:22 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears<br> the Message, but the cares of the present age and the <b>delusions</b> of riches <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/q/quite.htm - 22k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/insanity.htm"><span class="l">Insanity (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2. (n.) Such a mental condition, as, either from the existence of <b>delusions</b>, or<br> from incapacity to distinguish between right and wrong, with regard to any <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/insanity.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/festus.htm"><span class="l">Festus (14 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> While Festus displayed a certain contempt for what he regarded as the empty <b>delusions</b><br> of a harmless maniac, his conduct throughout the whole proceeding was <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/festus.htm - 15k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/delusive.htm"><span class="l">Delusive (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/delusive.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/delight.htm"><span class="l">Delight (213 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 13:22 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears<br> the Message, but the cares of the present age and the <b>delusions</b> of riches <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/delight.htm - 40k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/message.htm"><span class="l">Message (222 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Matthew 13:22 He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears<br> the Message, but the cares of the present age and the <b>delusions</b> of riches <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/message.htm - 34k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/mockings.htm"><span class="l">Mockings (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Isaiah 66:4 I also will choose their <b>delusions</b>, and will bring their fears upon<br> them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/mockings.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/porcius.htm"><span class="l">Porcius (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> While Festus displayed a certain contempt for what he regarded as the empty <b>delusions</b><br> of a harmless maniac, his conduct throughout the whole proceeding was <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/porcius.htm - 11k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-delusion.html">Is God a delusion? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/scrupulosity.html">What is scrupulosity, and how can it be overcome? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-schizophrenia.html">Does the Bible mention schizophrenia? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Delusions (7 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/matthew/13-22.htm">Matthew 13:22</a></span><br />He who has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the cares of the present age and the <span class="boldtext">delusions</span> of riches quite stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful.<br /><span class="source">(WEY)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/psalms/4-2.htm">Psalms 4:2</a></span><br />You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Isaiah 30:10</a></span><br />that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits, <br /><span class="source">(See JPS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/66-4.htm">Isaiah 66:4</a></span><br />I also will choose their <span class="boldtext">delusions</span>, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn't delight."<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV ASV WBS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a></span><br />Then Yahweh said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I didn't send them, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke I to them: they prophesy to you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-26.htm">Jeremiah 23:26</a></span><br />How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart?<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/ezekiel/13-8.htm">Ezekiel 13:8</a></span><br />Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord Yahweh.<br /><span class="source">(See RSV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/d/delusions.htm">Delusions</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/delusions.htm">Delusions (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lawless.htm">Lawless (16 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/faithless.htm">Faithless (46 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tokens.htm">Tokens (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/delved.htm">Delved (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/misleading.htm">Misleading (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mask.htm">Mask (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/marvels.htm">Marvels (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/appearing.htm">Appearing (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/attended.htm">Attended (39 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/subtlety.htm">Subtlety (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/various.htm">Various (52 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/magus.htm">Magus</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/miracles.htm">Miracles (65 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/simon.htm">Simon (75 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/d/delusion.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Delusion"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Delusion" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/d/delusive.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Delusive"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Delusive" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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