Would God cause a strong delusion so people would believe a lie?
“And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:11 ) This is a startling declaration! Why would God want to deceive people and cause them to believe a lie? The “cause” that would activate such an extreme decision on God’s part must be very serious. The preceding verse states it plainly. It is “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ). Because they “resist the truth” ( 2 Timothy 3:8 ), they will “believe the lie”! The specific context refers to those who elect to follow the coming “man of sin,” but the principle is timeless. It tells us that God’s attitude toward men is determined by their love of the truth rather than by their knowledge of the truth. When people love God’s truth, there is no limit to the amount of truth and blessing they may receive from God. Note the attitude of the writer of Psalm 119: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste!” “Thy testimonies