I’ve been thinking more clearly over the last few years about something we all wrestle with at times—self-deception. Not to condemn myself or walk around feeling guilty, but because I’ve realized that self-deception always brings stagnation, setbacks, frustration, and disappointment into our lives. It quietly works against the very desires and goals we hold in our hearts.
Let me give you an example.
For 24 years, I was a long-distance runner. Six miles was my minimum run, and my long runs ranged anywhere from 12 to 22 miles. I usually ran four times a week. During those years, I stayed very lean, could eat almost anything I wanted, and seldom put on weight.
It was also one of the sweetest spiritual seasons of my life because my prayer time often matched the length of my runs. I talked with God while running mile after mile. I felt very close to Him.
Then the Lord changed things.
He began drawing me away from long-distance running and toward spending that time journaling with Him instead. At the time, I didn’t fully realize what He was doing. He was teaching me how to mine Fresh Manna from His Word daily and journal what He was showing me. Little did I know He was preparing me to write devotionals that would one day reach people all over the world.
But physically, it was a major lifestyle change.
I knew that if I simply ate healthy and stayed consistent with a shorter daily workout routine, I would remain fit and healthy. The problem was—I wasn’t doing that consistently.
Every evening after dinner, I had developed a habit of eating snacks before bed. The strange thing was, I usually wasn’t even hungry. It had simply become comforting, enjoyable, and routine.
Slowly but surely, I began gaining weight.
And here’s the honest truth: I knew exactly why.
Not deep down somewhere. Not subconsciously. I knew.
Yet I continued doing it.
That’s when I began thinking more deeply about self-deception. I realized how easy it is to recognize irrational thinking in other people while ignoring it in ourselves. We can often see someone else’s unhealthy habits, excuses, contradictions, or blind spots almost immediately. Yet we can become amazingly skilled at justifying our own.
The truth is, most self-deception doesn’t feel irrational while we’re doing it. It feels reasonable. Comforting. Deserved. Harmless. Temporary.
“That little snack won’t matter.”
“I’ll do better tomorrow.”
“One more time won’t hurt.”
But self-deception always carries a price tag eventually.
And food is only one small example.
People worry endlessly even though worry has never solved a single problem. People spend money they don’t have to impress people they don’t even like. Some feed bitterness while wanting peace. Others neglect prayer and God’s Word while wondering why they feel spiritually dry. Some continually return to unhealthy habits, relationships, or behaviors while hoping life will somehow improve.
One thing I’ve learned is this: lying to ourselves creates far more disappointment and pain than we ever want to admit.
That’s why God’s Word continually calls us to honest thinking and renewed minds.
James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to see myself honestly and clearly through the light of Your Word. Reveal any area where I’ve been justifying unhealthy thinking, harmful habits, or spiritual compromise. Give me the humility to agree with You and the courage to change. Renew my mind and help me walk in truth instead of self-deception. Thank You for loving me enough to correct me and lead me into freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
