How do advertisers deceive people into doing harmful things?
Madison Avenue advertisers are masters at deception; they make anything look like a great deal, even when it may be the worst thing you could ever do. That's good advertising, but Paul warns, 'Let no man deceive himself.' So people must beware of self-deception.
Les explains that Madison Avenue advertisers are masters at deception, able to make anything look like a great deal even when it may be the worst thing a person could ever do. He calls that good advertising, but he ties it to Paul's strong warning in 1 Corinthians 3:18: 'Let no man deceive himself.' Les notes we are being overwhelmed with all kinds of deception today. Paul addresses the unbeliever who thinks he is wise in this world, telling him to become a fool so he may be wise. The surrounding context also urges caring for the body as God's temple, not abusing it, which shows the harm deception can cause.