Reference

James 1:9-18

We deceive ourselves by chasing after false gods that are mere shadows of the real thing. Wealth, power, position, illicit relationships, or anything we pursue for the purpose of justifying our existence, are mere shadows of the real thing. Every good and perfect gift is from God. He has good things for us. Those other things we lull ourselves into believing are worthy of our pursuits, are really cheap substitutes for the true joy that is ours in Christ.