We live in a world full of deception. There are many people and forces in this world that are intentionally trying to deceive people. As human beings our own mind and heart can deceive us. We greatly need discernment so we can tell the difference between truth and falsehood.
The concept of fact checking has been mocked and disavowed by multitudes. They need no evidence, no proof. They simply want to blindly believe the things that prominent people who agree with them are saying. They prefer comfortable, self-righteous deception to the reality and truth that irritates them.
The Pharisees in the Bible were great examples of that. Jesus called them, “the blind leading the blind” (Matthew 15:12-15) He went on to say, ” If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” The world is full of dangerous pitfalls, but deceived people choose to ignore them.
It’s easy to sleepwalk through life. That’s why the Bible says: ““Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14) To see clearly and avoid deception we need humility and truth. Jesus said: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) Unless someone is willing to rigorously fact check his feelings, desires, and opinions, he or she is wide open to deception.
Always be aware that you may be wrong. Continually search for truth beyond your perspective. When you find it, submit to it. But how can you find truth?
Truth aligns with reality. It doesn’t ignore it or deny it. I grew up confused, inwardly tormented, and struggling to hold on to sanity. Then one day I encountered the risen Jesus Christ and began to read the New Testament part of the Bible. As I didn’t the words burned in my heart. It addressed my struggles and revealed realities about me that I didn’t want to see. Admitting those realities and seeking to align my life to the Bible, my conscience, and Christ in me, began to rearrange my feelings, desires, and opinions in ways that released love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control within me. (Galatians 5:22-23)
The Bible can be read deceptively. It can be twisted to fit your feelings, desires, and opinions. That’s what the Pharisees did. That’s what many Christians and churches do today. Dare to step beyond the lie of self-righteousness. Dare to surrender your all to Christ and to be led moment-by-moment by His Spirit.
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7)
The key to living a victorious and Spirit-filled life is to humbly surrender to and obey God. Allow His Spirit to continually lead and empower you from within so that you can resist the devil’s attacks and temptations. Train yourself to always be led by the Spirit. Pray in the Spirit. Live in the Spirit. Walk in the Spirit
If you want to avoid the traps of deception like Christian nationalism read the Bible with an open, honest heart and surrender to what Jesus shows you. Also read the writing of those in the past who were radically healed and transformed by the risen Jesus: The writings of the Desert Fathers, the Eastern Orthodox “Philokalia,” Francis of Assisi, the writings of the Catholic mystics, the writings of the Celtic Christians, “The Collected Writings of Meno Simons,” “George Fox’s Journal,” “John Wesley’s Journal,” the writings of Catherine Booth, and Watchman Nee’s books.
Freedom matters! You can’t seek the truth without it. Both the religious right and the radical left want to take away your freedom to disagree with them. One wants to force you to applaud and praise their religion. The other wants to force you to applaud and praise sexual confusion and prenatal killing. No one should be forced to violate their conscience. Respect people’s right to disagree with you! Set aside your preferences and seek truth above all.
Free Gas for Your Think Tank -- Short Reflections, Lasting Encouragement 