Deception is all around us, and we must ask ourselves where did it come from, what is its nature, how extensive is it, and how can we escape its influence? No person is adequate to completely answer these questions, but, using the Bible as our map and depending on the Holy Spirit to guide us, we can make progress. Otherwise, we will all be like Pontius Pilate, who heard Jesus say:
...I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:37 (NLT)
When the Roman governor stood face to face with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, he could only reply, “What is truth?” (John 18:38) This is the question facing all of us.
Since the God of truth created the world and said it was “good,” how did deception and evil make their entrance? The Bible tells us that it happened when the serpent deceived Eve into choosing knowledge, falsely so called, over God’s truth.
The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. Genesis 3:4–7 (NASB95)
The truth was that disobeying God’s command would bring death. Satan convinced Eve that he knew better, which she acted upon. In violating God’s clear command, she and Adam chose so-called knowledge over God’s revealed truth. This continues to this day in many different ways, about which Paul warned us.
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you. 1 Timothy 6:20–21 (NASB95)
Once Adam and Eve poked a hole in the wall of truth that guarded their lives, it opened a flood of deception upon the earth. All of us to some degree or another have become co-conspirators in a giant assault on the truth.
Paul wrote about this in his letter to the church in Rome.
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. Romans 1:18–19 (NLT)
The so-called Covid pandemic helped to open our eyes to the extent of the suppression of truth. It was incomprehensible to most people that our government, mainstream media, Big Tech, Big Medicine, and Big Pharma would join forces to suppress truth and push a lie, but that is exactly what happened and continues today. A thinking person must ask him or herself, just how far does this deception go? What other lies have we been told? Whom can be trusted?
The devil is “hell bent” on deceiving and destroying humanity in order to somehow “hurt” God. This is what Jesus said about him.
...He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! John 8:44–45 (NLT)
Because our hearts have been corrupted by sin, we have a natural affinity for lies, which should put us on guard against the entrance of deception, even for those of us who have come to love the truth.
The devil…
...will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 2 Thessalonians 2:10–11 (NLT)
As a result of centuries of Satan’s work and the cooperation of those who gladly serve the serpent, much of what most people believe is based on deception.
We cannot fully trust what the government, the education system, the mainstream media (MSM), Big Tech, Big Pharma, and Big Medicine tell us. If anyone dares go against the accepted “narrative,” he or she will meet with mockery, rejection, and sometimes other forms of persecution, such as de-funding or maybe even jail time. Worse push back probably lies ahead unless things change significantly.
Is there any way for us to escape pervasive lies and propaganda and learn to discern and stand for what is true? As I mentioned in my opening paragraph, God has given us a map, the Bible, and a guide, the Holy Spirit.
The Bible self-authenticates, since there is no higher authority. Jesus, the One who called himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life, was vindicated or authenticated by God the Father when he raised him from the dead. Jesus, who is truth personified, told us that the Word of God is truth.
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17 (NASB95)
God wants us to settle in our hearts that his Word is faithful and true. Only by so doing, can we reverse the suppression of truth initiated by Adam and Eve.
Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Psalm 119:89–90 (NLT)
God gave us the Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of Truth, to guide us into all truth as we are able to hear and bear it.
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13 (NASB95)
In addition, the truth by its very nature, is irrepressible. It will triumph in the end. Those who are open will be able to discern the truth.
Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37 (NKJV)Those who close their hearts to truth will miss out and demonstrate that they are not “of God.”
Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” John 8:47 (NLT)
We can trust the Lord to guide us into truth one step at a time. The important thing is to keep moving toward it. People will resist, mock, and try to intimidate you, but it is worth the cost to discover truth. It will set us free. (John 8:32)
Prayer
Jesus, I long to be a person of truth. I want to know truth, believe it, live by it, and stand for it. I recognize that your are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I ask you to come into my life and open my eyes and heart to your truth. I give my life to you. Use me as you see fit. Amen.
