You can fool most of the people most of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. So, what about fooling yourself? Or about fooling God?
The Bible tells us the truth that our own hearts or inward beings are very deceptive. Not just deceptive to others, but to ourselves. Which is a very nice way of saying that I’m pretty good at lying to myself. Fooling myself. But no matter how many lies I swallow from myself, God is never fooled.
Let’s take a look at Hebrews 4:11-13:
Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
In Hebrews 4:11-13, the author impresses on us the need to make every effort towards eternal life, which is being pictured as God’s rest. And instead of giving us positive messages, encouragements and helpful tips, the author gives us 3 warnings:
- Warning 1 in v. 11: you don’t do this, you will follow Israel’s pattern of disobedience and miss out on the reward!
- Warning 2 in v. 12: God’s Word pierces your innermost being and can judge your actions, your thoughts, even your intentions.
- Warning 3 in v. 13: Everything about is open and visible to the God who created you.
Strong stuff. And a warning is not judgment. When God warns, it’s out of love to prevent judgment.
So, make every effort to know that you are a Christian. Don’t fool yourself with ‘I’m doing this’ or ‘I’ve done that.’ You can’t fool God. Instead, have a single-minded focus on Jesus Christ. It is He who as the Son of God died for your sins and is risen again. It is He alone as the Lord over all who gives you eternal life. Admit your sins, believe in Jesus Christ, and enter into His rest!