Delusion

What is Delusion?

Delusion is a false belief or judgment that is considered to be true even though there is evidence to the contrary. It is a mistaken or erroneous belief, or opinion that is held in the face of evidence that proves it false. A person with delusion will hold firmly to their belief even when there is evidence to doubt its truthfulness. 

Delusion is different from illusion and deceit. Delusion is something that is falsely believed and has been accepted by the whole mind as truth – therefore, one acts upon it. An illusion is something that is wrongly perceived or interpreted by the senses, but  the whole mind has not fully accepted it, and therefore the person does not act upon it. 

Deceit is when one hides the truth from others while delusion is when one hides the truth from oneself. Speaking of deceit, Jesus said, “If, therefore, the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:23).

Much more than physical harm, delusional ideas and beliefs cause great harm because it blinds one to the truth. Reason, emotions and will-power are powerless when faced with thoughts that are delusional. The secular world considers delusions to be a symptom of a medical condition, neurological or mental.

The Christian worldview helps one throw off the delusions of the world, by adopting the truth of God. The Bible considers delusion to be a state of deception – in the Garden of Eden, Satan disguises as a talking serpent and deludes Eve into a believing a lie. The main purpose of Satan’s delusion was to destroy God’s creation. God’s purpose for men and women is ‘to till and to guard’ (Genesis 2:15), that is, to cultivate, and protect the kingdom of God. Our actions must reflect God as we creatively engage (than hide) with the world on behalf of God. The focus needs to be the Kingdom of God.