Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
Self-deception is the very worst kind, for it is one thing to be lying to others, but when persons begin to lie to themselves, and believe it, they would have crossed over into satan’s territory, and when this is done, the damage done to the mind could become incurable, for there is no way for God, angels, men or even demons to reach that person.
This is what took place with pharaoh of old who dug himself deeper and deeper into an abyss of lies and self-deception, until not only God or Moses, but also his personal magicians could not reach him. He did to himself irreparable harm and the rest is history. If pharaoh wouldn’t listen to God, the very least he could do is listen to satan. But what do you do with a person who will not listen to either God or a devil. It then signaled the close of probation for pharaoh, and those under his influence, as took place not too long after in Egypt.
It won’t be possible to suddenly switch gears, when other vital truths are presented, because the mind would have already been trained to reject the most indisputable facts. Pharoah couldn’t switch, the men of Sodom could not switch, the antediluvians could not switch, and the Jews could not switch, for there comes a time when the habitual rejection of truth can never be reversed.
Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!