Lesson 2 - Choosing a Delusion

So many of us choose to live our lives based upon delusions instead of the reality of life and life circumstances as they are written out for us in God's Word! Because we've been hurt so bad, wounded so deeply that we tend to build up walls to some people, and grow distant. In other instances, we try to push things aside, convincing ourselves that "time will heal" . . . these, dear ones, are NOT truth, but delusions that the world would like us to believe.

To better help you understand what I'm saying, let me give you an example of a life conflicts without forgiveness:

Sally and Jane were friends through their growing up years. They many times changed their schedules in school to be in the same classes, and often joined the same clubs. Several times, however, Jane and Sally found themselves actually "competing" against one another in various situations. Sally would feel deeply wounded by something Jane had said; Jane would feel rejected by something that Sally did. There would be conflict, and then they would [*] "pretend" (Proverbs 13:10 & 28:25) that they were actually [*] "getting along better". Then, something else would happen . . . more conflicts would arise . . . they would then begin to [*] "tolerate" (Proverbs 14:3 & 11:2) one another. Believing that things were actually "okay". Life for the two of them would continue on, and then another conflict. Sally and Jane were both wounded, yet neither one would admit their wrong, or, ask for forgiveness. They start to realize that their relationship was [*] "just the way life is" between them. In other words, becoming [*] "resigned" (Proverbs 21:24 & 16:18) to their relationship as good/bad/good/bad . . . hanging on to their hurt, and clinging to the hope that somewhere, somehow things would truly get better, but thinking that it most likely would not. By this time; however, they had so many years invested in each other they just did not want to end their relationship. Sally and Jane went on to seperate colleges, kept in touch, and things were okay. They got together again in the summer, and low and behold another conflict. As neither one would admit their wrong to the other, they start to feel that [*] "it is just no use" to try to keep the relationship alive anymore, that nothing had changed, nor nothing will ever change it. They [*] "give up" (Proverbs 15:25 & 29:23).

Let us look up those Scripture passages, write out how they speak to conflict, and our reactions towards them:

Proverbs 13:10

Proverbs 28:25

Proverbs 14:3

Proverbs 11:2

Proverbs 21:24

Proverbs16:18

Proverbs 15:25

Proverbs 29:23

1. What are some of the common denominators between the above verses?





2. How can you apply them to a situation (or situations) in your own life, with a friend, or even a spouse?








This has been a lot for one study, so we will continue next time . . . bless you in your study times. Pray this week for the Lord to open up your eyes to see and your heart to understand areas of past conflict in your life that perhaps you've been prideful about, and ask Him to soften your heart to be able to apply His Word to that (those) situation (situations).