Chuck Smith addresses the theme of self-deception in the Christian faith, emphasizing that many who profess to know Christ may be misled by their own assumptions of safety. He warns against unconscious hypocrisy, where individuals may believe they are justified based on outward appearances and actions, while neglecting true self-examination and relationship with Christ. Smith highlights the dangers of false doctrines and the importance of genuine faith over mere verbal profession, reminding listeners that ultimately, it is our relationship with Christ that matters most.

"SELF -DECEPTION" Intro: Christ to Nicodemus, "We know that thou art a teacher come from God." "Many" in churches and world today. I. CHRIST TALKING TO THOSE WHO WERE ORTHODOX. A. Said right things, "Lord, Lord." B. Doing works in His name. C. They have assumed they were safe. 1. They come to Christ with their profession. 2. He professes to them. D. He said that He does not judge as man judges. 1. Ye are they that do justify yourselves with man. 2. We judge after outward appearances. 3. We judge after a carnal manner. a. Nice looking, good personality, powerful speaker. E. Unconscious hypocrisy a great danger. 1. Conscious is to persuade others wrongly. 2. Unconscious is to persuade yourself wrongly. II. IF HYPOCRISY UNCONSCIOUS WHAT CAN BE DONE? A. Find conditions that foster self-deception. 1. False doctrine of assurance. a. Because you say or believe certain things. b. You have repeated certain phrases. c. Fideism, you trust your faith instead of Christ. 2. Paul said, "Be not deceived neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers shall enter." a. They may be saying tight things. 3. Attitudes toward self-examination. a. Anti-nomianism - it does not matter what you do as long as you believe. b. I John, "He that saith He is in the light. He that saith He abideth in Him. 4. Living in activities. a. Over-busyness high road of self-deception. 5. Tendency to balance our lives. a. Spirit condemns us of some wrong activity. 1. Saul. 2. End justifies the means. 6. Failure to heed plain teaching of the scripture. a. Lord drawing me away from church. III. WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST. A. He is the judge. 1. "I never knew you." B. Taking name of Lord in vain.