Deluded
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "deluded" refers to a state of being misled or deceived, often by false beliefs or deceptive influences. This condition is frequently addressed in Scripture, highlighting the spiritual dangers and moral consequences of being led astray from the truth of God's Word.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament often warns against the dangers of delusion, particularly in the context of idolatry and false prophets. In Jeremiah 23:16 , the prophet warns, "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, the delusion comes from listening to those who claim divine insight but are, in fact, speaking from their own imaginations.

Similarly, in Isaiah 44:20 , the folly of idolatry is described: "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 a deluded heart can lead one to embrace falsehoods, unable to recognize the deception inherent in idol worship.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues to address the theme of delusion, particularly in the context of false teachings and the end times. In 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 , the Apostle Paul writes about the coming of the lawless one: "And with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 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 severity of rejecting the truth, resulting in God allowing a delusion to take hold as a form of judgment.

In 2 Timothy 3:13 , Paul warns Timothy, "while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." This highlights the cyclical nature of deception, where those who deceive others are themselves deluded, perpetuating a cycle of falsehood.

Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays delusion as a spiritual danger that can lead individuals away from the truth of God. It is often associated with a rejection of divine revelation and an embrace of human wisdom or false teachings. The Scriptures urge believers to remain vigilant, discerning, and grounded in the truth to avoid being led astray.

In Ephesians 4:14 , Paul exhorts the church, "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming." This call to maturity in faith is a safeguard against the delusions that can arise from false doctrines and deceitful influences.

Practical Application

For believers, the antidote to delusion is a steadfast commitment to the truth of Scripture and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment. Regular study of the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers are essential practices to maintain spiritual clarity and avoid the pitfalls of deception. As James 1:5 encourages, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Seeking divine wisdom is crucial in navigating the complexities of truth and falsehood in a world prone to delusion.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(imp. & p. p.) of Delude.
Greek
4006. pepoithesis -- confidence
... Cognate: 4006 (a feminine noun derived from 3982 , "persuade, be persuaded") --
properly, ; used of human confidence (deluded self-persuasion in Phil 3:4), but ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4006.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... 1), call (1), came again (1), came back (1), cause (1), certainly bring (1), certainly
bring them back (1), come back (10), converted (1), deluded (1), desist ...
/hebrew/7725.htm - 9k

5378. nasha -- to beguile, deceive
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to beguile, deceive NASB Word Usage come
deceitfully (1), deceive (8), deceived (3), deluded (1), utterly deceived (1). ...
/hebrew/5378.htm - 6k

Library

And be not Deceived or Deluded with Vain Hopes by that which is ...
... Book II. 62 And be not deceived or deluded with vain hopes by that which
is said by? And be not deceived or deluded with vain ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/62 and be not deceived.htm

Deluded by an Insane Love, He, Though Foul and Dishonourable ...
... Book III. Chapter I."Deluded by an Insane Love, He, Though Foul and
Dishonourable, Desires to Be Thought Elegant and Urbane. 1 ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter i deluded by an insane.htm

Of Him whom the Superior came Upon and Found in his Cell, Deluded ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVI. Of him whom the superior came upon and found in
his cell, deluded by idle vainglory. I remember an elder ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi of him whom.htm

The Deceitful Arts and Nefarious Practices of Marcus.
... When this has been done, he himself produces another cup of much larger size than
that which the deluded woman has consecrated, and pouring from the smaller ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiii the deceitful arts and.htm

Nero Adds Four Cities to Agrippas Kingdom; but the Other Parts of ...
... These were such men as deceived and deluded the people under pretense of Divine
inspiration, but were for procuring innovations and changes of the government ...
/.../chapter 13 nero adds four.htm

The Emperor's Invasion of Persia, and Death.
... gives occasion for envy.' Giving credit to the divinations of the philosopher Maximus,
with whom he was in continual intercourse, he was deluded into the ...
/.../chapter xxi the emperors invasion of.htm

He Compels to the Perpetration of Horrible Turpitudes.
... Chapter 47. "He Compels to the Perpetration of Horrible Turpitudes. O abominable
monster! O execrable perdition and ruin of deluded souls! ...
/.../chapter 47 name compels to.htm

Whom could I Find to Reconcile Me to Thee? was I to have Recourse ...
... return unto Thee, and of themselves unable, have, as I hear, tried this, and fallen
into the desire of curious visions, and been accounted worthy to be deluded ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xlii whom could i.htm

Simon's Retreat.
... For why should I further say that he once believed in our Jesus, and was persuaded
that souls are immortal? [702] Although in this he is deluded by demons, yet ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xlix simons retreat.htm

Simon Magus: Hopelessness of his Case.
... But, in truth, he is deluded by demons. Yet, although he is sure by these
very things that souls are immortal, and are judged for ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xvi simon magus hopelessness of.htm

Thesaurus
Deluded (5 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Delude. Multi-Version Concordance Deluded (5 Occurrences). John
7:47 "Are *you* deluded too?" replied the Pharisees; (WEY). ...
/d/deluded.htm - 8k

False.
... The revolts in this period were generally connected with religious pretensions in
the leaders (Josephus, BJ, II, xiii, 4-"deceived and deluded the people under ...
/f/false..htm - 16k

Christs (2 Occurrences)
... The revolts in this period were generally connected with religious pretensions in
the leaders (Josephus, BJ, II, xiii, 4-"deceived and deluded the people under ...
/c/christs.htm - 14k

Delude (2 Occurrences)

/d/delude.htm - 7k

Deluding (3 Occurrences)

/d/deluding.htm - 7k

Christianity
... Lord of glory. The priests doubtless thought that they understood Jesus better
than the ignorant, deluded Galileans. Yet the boldest ...
/c/christianity.htm - 101k

Election (6 Occurrences)
... To the deluded theorist who does not love and obey, the warnings of a fall and ruin
which are possible, humanly, from any spiritual height, are a merciful ...
/e/election.htm - 26k

Jehu (63 Occurrences)
... Then when all were safely gathered into "the house of Baal," the gates were closed,
and 80 soldiers were sent in to massacre the whole deluded company in cold ...
/j/jehu.htm - 47k

Resources
Why is God going to send a strong delusion in the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Who is the one true God? | GotQuestions.org

Is the Christian life supposed to be boring? | GotQuestions.org

Deluded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Deluded (5 Occurrences)

John 7:47
"Are *you* deluded too?" replied the Pharisees;
(WEY)

Revelation 19:20
The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 19:13
The chiefs of Zoan have become foolish, the chiefs of Noph are tricked, the heads of her tribes are the cause of Egypt's wandering out of the way.
(See NAS RSV)

Isaiah 44:20
He striveth after ashes, a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say: 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'
(See RSV NIV)

Isaiah 47:10
For you had faith in your evil-doing; you said, No one sees me; by your wisdom and knowledge you have been turned out of the way: and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is no other.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Deluded

Related Terms

Nobody (21 Occurrences)

Imposing (8 Occurrences)

Delusion (12 Occurrences)

Deluded (5 Occurrences)

Doers (34 Occurrences)

Beguiling (3 Occurrences)

Selves (14 Occurrences)

Somebody (8 Occurrences)

Listen (441 Occurrences)

Hearers (18 Occurrences)

Deluge (17 Occurrences)

James (40 Occurrences)

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

Delude
Top of Page
Top of Page