"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12)

There are a lot of opinions about the entire second chapter of 2nd Thessalonians. I will admit that I have many questions as well. But if you will permit, I would like to offer a few points on this portion of the chapter.

I think this text says too much to be describing a disobedient child of God. The language is very similar to Paul's writing in Romans chapter 1. There, we see a progression diving deeper and deeper into sin as God "gives them up" to more and more sin. Paul also says that God "gives them over to a reprobate mind."

Both the teaching in Romans and here in 2nd Thessalonians show that men who are dead in sin seek only to delve further into their depravity. God does not correct their thinking and they become totally deluded in their life of sin.

In John Chapter 8, Jesus accused some unbelieving Pharisees in the same way.

"And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not." (John 8:45)

Here we see Jesus pointing out the depths of human depravity and the confusion it brings. They did not believe Jesus BECAUSE He was telling the truth! They were so deluded that the only things they believed were lies.

This is a rather harsh portion of scripture but we must never forget the basis for our need of salvation totally by grace. Without grace, all men are without hope. All men would be children of wrath and bound by their fallen nature in the total inability of depravity.

But thanks be to God, He does deliver!