Delusion is the belief or altered reality that is persistently held despite evidence or agreement to the contrary, generally in reference to a mental disorder. Self-delusion is the act of deluding oneself on purpose. Someone who retreats into a false reality to escape the one around them. In our society, self-delusion is an accepted way of life. We spend our time obsessed with tv shows, video games, and movies and our culture accepts this as normal.

The average American in 2020 spent a total of 103 days out of the year within a delusion. 442 hours (18 days) on video games, 912.5 hours (38 days) on social media, and 1131.5 hours (47 days) watching tv. That is a third of our year spent within a false reality. If we do this every day from 15 years old until the average American dies at 79, that is 18 years of our life spent in a false reality.

Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-11, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

There have always been ways to “escape” reality, but it is not a normal or even an acceptable way to live. Paul infers the followers of Christ to not be led astray by delusion calling it pleasure in unrighteousness. This is an ever-tempting way to live our lives in our culture, but let us remember what Paul says at the end of chapter 2, “To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”