Deception. The problem with it is that it is so subtle. It's like a counterfeit painting: it looks convincing, but something isn't quite right. Careful examination is necessary to realize that a shortcut was taken, or inferior materials used.
That's the problem with truth deception. Rarely is it glaring enough to sound an alarm; it's usually something that's not exactly spot-on.
"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known ) and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
Signs and wonders are the ultimate avenue of deception. I've talked to individuals who were sufficiently wowed by the miraculous so as to be anesthetized to the message. The miraculous overshadowed discernment, to their detriment.
Apparently, according to this passage in Deuteronomy 13, God Himself works through miracle-working deceivers, as part of the refining process of His people. He's a proverbial pitcher who occasionally throws a curve ball, to see if we'll swing at it. Amidst truth, there is a cleverly-disguised fake, to see if His people are discerning enough to reject it.
I've heard of preachers who deliberately include a blatant non-truth just to see if the congregation is truly listening and discerning. Such tactics are ill-advised; especially since the messenger himself is not immune to deception. Best that we leave that task to God Himself.
There is a prevailing spirit of accommodation that cuts people a lot of slack with God's truth. The reasoning goes that God is wide with mercy, and that He will surely be extremely tolerant in judgement when the time comes. That's a risky gamble with the prospect of eternal life. Living loose with truth seems far more perilous than making earnest effort to diligently learn and live it.
The danger of deception is very real and ever-present. Passionate love for knowing and living truth is the only true safeguard. And this must be a personal exercise; not reliance on a knowing teacher, preacher, friend, or family member.
May we love truth enough to diligently search and live it, so as to withstand the deception enticement that will surely come this day, and every day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
That's the problem with truth deception. Rarely is it glaring enough to sound an alarm; it's usually something that's not exactly spot-on.
"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known ) and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)
Signs and wonders are the ultimate avenue of deception. I've talked to individuals who were sufficiently wowed by the miraculous so as to be anesthetized to the message. The miraculous overshadowed discernment, to their detriment.
Apparently, according to this passage in Deuteronomy 13, God Himself works through miracle-working deceivers, as part of the refining process of His people. He's a proverbial pitcher who occasionally throws a curve ball, to see if we'll swing at it. Amidst truth, there is a cleverly-disguised fake, to see if His people are discerning enough to reject it.
I've heard of preachers who deliberately include a blatant non-truth just to see if the congregation is truly listening and discerning. Such tactics are ill-advised; especially since the messenger himself is not immune to deception. Best that we leave that task to God Himself.
There is a prevailing spirit of accommodation that cuts people a lot of slack with God's truth. The reasoning goes that God is wide with mercy, and that He will surely be extremely tolerant in judgement when the time comes. That's a risky gamble with the prospect of eternal life. Living loose with truth seems far more perilous than making earnest effort to diligently learn and live it.
The danger of deception is very real and ever-present. Passionate love for knowing and living truth is the only true safeguard. And this must be a personal exercise; not reliance on a knowing teacher, preacher, friend, or family member.
May we love truth enough to diligently search and live it, so as to withstand the deception enticement that will surely come this day, and every day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 8:14 AM
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