Perhaps you’ve heard of someone who suffered from “delusions of grandeur.” But greatness is not the only thing in which we can suffer delusion. In his introduction to the book of Ezekiel, commentator Daniel Block says, “Ezekiel’s overriding purpose is to transform his audience’s perception of their relationship with Yahweh, exposing delusions of innocence and offering a divine understanding of reality.”[1] What a sad and terrifying condition. Many of Ezekiel’s countrymen felt righteous and innocent even as exiles in a foreign land. God’s prophet provided a reality check.
Today, it is undoubtedly true that we can still suffer from “delusions of innocence.” Perhaps, like ancient Judah, we cling to our idolatry, selfishness, or man-made religion, all the while imagining we are God’s people. If so, we drastically need a divine understanding of reality. Where can we get that? God’s Word. Read God’s Word. Does it support your faith and your life, or does it reveal your righteousness is nothing more than a delusion?
[1] Block, Daniel Isaac. The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997.