Q: I was reading 2 Thessalonians 2 and wanted to know more about vv.11-12. Does God actually delude people?

A: It does appear that way at first glance; however, when it comes to Bible study, we always want to see if anything else has been said about a subject before we draw our conclusions (cf. Psalm 119:160). So, had God used this type of language anywhere else? Has the Apostle Paul used similar language anywhere else? The answer is yes.

A parallel passage to 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 is Romans 1:18-32.

In Romans 1:18-32, Paul talks about those who “knew God” but did not “glorify Him or give thanks” (). Romans 1:26 says for that reason, “God gave them over to dishonorable passions…” Paul is saying here that since many people clearly know what God’s will is (right and wrong) and since they have deliberately rejected God’s will, God lets them do that. Not only that, but God also lets those people feel the full consequences of their sins. 

Going back to 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, the people under consideration here are the same as in Romans 1, for, he says, they “took pleasure in unrighteousness” (v.12) and “did not believe the truth” (v.12). So, what does God do? In 2 Thessalonians 2, it says He sends them a “deluding influence” or, as was said in Romans 1, God “gave them over” to the full effect and power of their sins.

So, does God delude people? No. Does God allow us to feel the full consequences of our actions and sins? Yes.