Sanctification and the Struggle with Spiritual Deception

Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God's service and progressively conformed to His holiness ^[2]. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, building upon the new principles implanted in the soul during regeneration, and aims to bring the entire person under the influence of these gracious principles ^[1]. This process extends to the whole individual, encompassing their thoughts, affections, and actions ^[1].

The biblical understanding of sanctification involves both an initial setting apart and an ongoing transformation. For instance, the Apostle Paul writes, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thessalonians 4:3) ^[7]. John Gill interprets this as encompassing both internal sanctification—a work of the Spirit implanting spiritual life and grace—and external sanctification, which manifests in a holy life and conversation ^[7]. Similarly, Easton's Bible Dictionary emphasizes that sanctification is "the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration" ^[1].

Sanctification is effected by God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit ^[2]. God sanctifies His people (Ezekiel 37:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23), Christ sanctifies them through His atonement (Hebrews 10:10; 13:12), and the Holy Spirit carries out this work (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11) ^[2]. The Word of God also plays a crucial role in this process, as Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17, 19) ^{[2, 12]}. Matthew Henry notes that this prayer for sanctification means both confirming the work already begun and further developing holiness in believers ^[12].

The struggle with spiritual deception is a significant aspect of the sanctification process. Deception often arises from "men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (1 Timothy 6:5 NASB) ^[4]. Such individuals are characterized by constant friction and a lack of truth ^[3]. John Calvin, in his commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and 1-2 Thessalonians, discusses how Antichrist, through wicked doctrine and the efficacy of Satan, alienates people from the Holy Spirit and confirms misguidance through enchantments ^[9]. This highlights the external pressures and false teachings that can lead believers astray.

Internally, believers are called to "sanctify Christ as Lord" in their hearts (1 Peter 3:15) ^[8]. This involves honoring Him as holy and enshrining Him within, allowing God's holiness to be glorified in the heart as the dwelling place of His Spirit ^[8]. The promises of God also have a sanctifying effect, assimilating believers to the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) ^[13].

The concept of sanctification also addresses the question of whether grace encourages sin. As Matthew Henry notes on Romans 6:1, the apostle Paul directly confronts the idea that believers should "continue in sin that grace may abound." Paul rejects this notion as an abuse of the doctrine of grace, emphasizing that sanctification leads to the mortification of sin ^{[6, 2]}. John Chrysostom, in his homilies on 1 and 2 Corinthians, explains that sanctification is a purification, reminding believers of their past uncleanness and attributing their salvation and sanctification not to their own deeds but to God's loving-kindness ^[11]. This perspective encourages humility and reliance on God's work rather than self-effort or a license to sin.

The struggle against spiritual deception is ongoing because believers are "not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:16) ^[5]. This separation from the world exposes them to its hatred and evil, necessitating divine preservation and continued sanctification ^[5]. The Holy Spirit, as the Advocate, convinces both Jews and Gentiles of Christ's righteousness, vindicating Him from false accusations and guiding believers into truth (John 16:10) ^[10].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
I Timothy “I Timothy 6:5 (BSB) — and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.”
1 Timothy “1 Timothy 6:5 (NASB) — and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 17:16: They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. These words are repeated from Joh 17:14, where they are given as a reason of the world's hatred to them; and here, as showing that they are exposed to the evil of it; and in both are used as an argument with his Father, that he would take notice of them, and preserve them. , where they are given as a reason of the world's hatred to them; and here, as showing that they are exposed to the evil of it; and in both are used as an argument with his Father, that he would take notice of them, and preserve them. John 1”
Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 6:1: The apostle's transition, which joins this discourse with the former, is observable: "What shall we say then? Rom 6:1. What use shall we make of this sweet and comfortable doctrine? Shall we do evil that good may come, as some say we do? Rom 3:8. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Shall we hence take encouragement to sin with so much the more boldness, because the more sin we commit the more will the grace of God be magnified in our pardon? Is this a use to be made of it?" No, it is an abuse, and the apostle startles at the thought of it (Rom 6:2): "Go”
1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 77.2: our minds in eternal life; Antichrist, trained up under Satan’s tuition, by wicked doctrine, involves the wicked in ruin; 671 671 “ En ruine et perdition eternelle ;” — “In eternal ruin and perdition.” Christ puts forth the power of his Spirit for salvation, and seals his gospel by miracles; the adversary, 672 672 Our author evidently means Antichrist, alluding to the term applied to him by Paul in the 4th verse.— Ed . by the efficacy of Satan, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, and by his enchantments confirms mis”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 16:10: Of righteousness - Of my innocence and holiness, because I go away to my Father; of which my resurrection from the dead, and my ascension to heaven, shall be complete proofs. Christ was treated by the Jews as an impostor; as a magician; as one possessed by the devil; as a wicked person, seducer, and destroyer of the law. His vindication from these charges he chiefly referred to the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who, by his influences on the minds of the people, and by his eloquence and energy in the ministry of the apostles, convinced both the Jews and the Gentiles that”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”
John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:17: The next thing he prayed for for them was that they might be sanctified; not only kept from evil, but made good. I. Here is the petition (Joh 17:17): Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth; it is true - it is truth itself. He desires they may be sanctified, 1. As Christians. Father, make them holy, and this will be their preservation, Th1 5:23. Observe here, (1.) The grace desired - sanctification. The disciples were sanctified, for they were not of the world; yet he prays, Father sanctify them, that is, [1.] "Confirm the work of s”
2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1:4: Whereby, &c.--By His glory and virtue: His glory making the "promises" to be exceeding great; His virtue making them "precious" [BENGEL]. Precious promises are the object of precious faith. given--The promises themselves are a gift: for God's promises are as sure as if they were fulfilled. by these--promises. They are the object of faith, and even now have a sanctifying effect on the believer, assimilating him to God. Still more so, when they shall be fulfilled. might, &c.--Greek, "that ye MAY become partakers of the divine nature," even now in p”

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