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Bible Encyclopedias
Self Deception
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or deception proceeding from, and practiced upon, one's self, especially in forming judgments or receiving impressions of our own state, character, and conduct. For example:
1. In judging of our own character we are very apt to enhance the good qualities we possess, to give ourselves credit for others that we really have not, and to ignore the evil qualities that should be seen by us.
2. In the matter of our conduct we are very prone to persuade ourselves either that our acts were not wrong, or that the peculiar circumstances under which we were placed were so extenuating as to remove actual guilt.
3. There is a tendency to confound the non-appearance of a vicious affection with its actual extirpation.
4. An improper estimate of the reality of our repentance, faith, works, etc., or of the importance of the same. The range of objects as to which men deceive themselves is very wide, including God, Jesus Christ. the Holy Spirit, Scriptures, experience, etc. The results are great and dangerous, it renders men slaves of procrastination, leads them to overrate themselves, flatters them with an easy victory, and confirms their evil habits. The means of avoiding self deception are strict self inquiry, prayer, watchfulness, and diligent study of God's Word.
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Self Deception'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/self-deception.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
