2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 11And for this reason God will send to them a working of deceit so that they might believe what is false, 12in order that all of them may be judged who did not believe the truth but having delighted in unrighteousness.
These verses give the sad outcome for those who follow the lie of Satan and his minions. Just as Paul writes in Romans 1:24, 26, 28 that God gives up to a depraved mind those who turn to idols or reject him, so here God lets the deceit of those who follow Satan and the lawless one to continue. A working of deceit refers to the power of deceit over a person’s mind. Those who reject God and rebel against God’s commands will only dig themselves further into a whole. God’s sovereignty stands out in these verses. God is ultimately in control. People have the ability to choose, but God can enhance their choice, either to grow their faith or grow their doubt. God should not be blamed for judging those whom he can caused deceit to grow. They made their decision and so our guilty for whatever judgment they receive. They enjoyed unrighteousness. They deliberately walked away from the light.
These are sad verses because we see even today people who do not believe the truth. The truth is available in so many ways, including through the internet and various media. God also speaks to people’s consciences. Those who reject God’s revelation have only themselves to blame. This passage is a strong warning to the Thessalonians and all believers to be careful not to be deceived by the false promises of pleasure and wickedness. God’s will is for people to be holy and not bound by the deceived desires of the flesh controlled by sin.
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