The term "delusive" refers to something that is misleading or deceptive, often leading individuals away from the truth. In the context of the Bible, delusion is frequently associated with false teachings, deceptive practices, and the influence of sin, which can lead believers astray from the path of righteousness.

Biblical References:

1. False Prophets and Teachers: The Bible warns against false prophets and teachers who present delusive messages. In Matthew 24:24 , Jesus cautions, "For false christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible." This highlights the potential for delusion even among the faithful, emphasizing the need for discernment.

2. Deceptive Practices: The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of deception in his letters. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 , he writes, "The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them." Here, delusion is linked to the rejection of truth and the acceptance of falsehood.

3. The Deceitfulness of Sin: Sin itself is portrayed as delusive, luring individuals away from God. Hebrews 3:13 warns, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This passage underscores the insidious nature of sin, which can harden hearts and lead to spiritual delusion.

4. The Role of Satan: Satan is often depicted as the ultimate deceiver, whose delusive tactics aim to undermine God's truth. In John 8:44 , Jesus describes Satan as "a liar and the father of lies," indicating his role in spreading delusion and falsehood.

5. The Armor of God: To combat delusion, believers are encouraged to put on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 instructs, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This metaphorical armor includes truth, righteousness, and faith, which protect against delusive influences.

Theological Implications:

Delusion in the Bible is not merely a matter of intellectual error but is deeply connected to spiritual warfare and the condition of the heart. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of remaining grounded in truth and vigilant against the subtle and overt deceptions that can lead one away from God. The presence of delusion serves as a call to spiritual alertness, encouraging believers to seek wisdom and understanding through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.(a.) Apt or fitted to delude; tending to mislead the mind; deceptive; beguiling; delusory; as, delusive arts; a delusive dream.

Concerning Theurgy, which Promises a Delusive Purification of the ...
... Book X. Chapter 10."Concerning Theurgy, Which Promises a Delusive Purification
of the Soul by the Invocation of Demons. But here ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 concerning theurgy which promises.htm

Imagination in Prayer
... Butler also, in few but always weighty words, stigmatises the imagination as "that
forward and delusive faculty." While Jonathan Edwards, in his own masterful ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xx imagination in prayer.htm

The Bequest of Peace.
... shortcomings. Such kinds of peace, our Lord implies, are delusive. ... But the peace
we gain by submission is both short-lived and delusive. It ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xi the bequest of peace.htm

The Soul.
... This delusive scheme often proves a success, allowing the flesh to go on reaping
its carnal lusts with the soul endeavoring to satisfy itself with the hope of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter x the soul.htm

The Saviour's Last Command.
... It is true, the conduct of some would seem to say, that they put on a form of religion
to silence their fears, to cheat themselves with a delusive hope, and to ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter iv the saviours last.htm

From the Saying of Our Lord we Know that the Flesh is Weak...
... willing. [8967] Let us not, withal, take delusive comfort from the Lord's
acknowledgment of the weakness of the flesh. For precisely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad martyras/chapter iv from the saying.htm

The Blessed Hope and Its Power
... There was the teacher who would assert a premature and delusive personal perfection,
proclaiming himself so close to Christ that he had already reached the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter x the blessed hope.htm

We Keep Therefore the one Position, And, in Respect of this ...
... God, and therefore accused and demanded by the Chaldeans, if it had been right that
the worthy anticipation of Darius concerning God should have proved delusive ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter viii we keep therefore.htm

When God Takes Away Our Children from Us, it is a Very Affecting ...
... is drawn out of our own Quiver to wound us. Vain, delusive, transitory Joys!
"And such, Oh my Soul," will the Christian say, "such ...
/.../1 when god takes away.htm

The Disciple, -- Master, it is Clear to Almost Everyone that to ...
... So sin is not a part of creation, nor has it independent existence such that it
could be created. It is simply a delusive and destructive state of being. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 2.htm

Delusive (4 Occurrences)
... (a.) Apt or fitted to delude; tending to mislead the mind; deceptive; beguiling;
delusory; as, delusive arts; a delusive dream. ...Delusive (4 Occurrences). ...
/d/delusive.htm - 7k

Delusions (7 Occurrences)

/d/delusions.htm - 8k

Lawless (16 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The appearing of the Lawless one will be attended by various
miracles and tokens and delusive marvels--for so Satan works-- (WEY RSV NIV). ...
/l/lawless.htm - 12k

Faithless (46 Occurrences)
... or a wife. 5. (a.) Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAITHLESS. fath'-les ...
/f/faithless.htm - 20k

Tokens (11 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The appearing of the Lawless one will be attended by
various miracles and tokens and delusive marvels--for so Satan works-- (WEY). ...
/t/tokens.htm - 9k

Delved (1 Occurrence)

/d/delved.htm - 6k

Misleading (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mislead. 2. (a.) Leading astray;
delusive. Multi-Version Concordance Misleading (8 Occurrences). ...
/m/misleading.htm - 9k

Mask (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, where all wear
masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a frolic; a delusive show. ...
/m/mask.htm - 8k

Marvels (21 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The appearing of the Lawless one will be attended by
various miracles and tokens and delusive marvels--for so Satan works-- (WEY). ...
/m/marvels.htm - 12k

Appearing (20 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The appearing of the Lawless one will be attended by various
miracles and tokens and delusive marvels--for so Satan works-- (WEY). ...
/a/appearing.htm - 12k

Delusive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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