deception
Deception and Discovering the Truth About God
I had a dream about deception that I’d like to share with you.
In the dream, I saw a pile of ancient teachings about God; creeds, doctrines, and affirmations about His nature. About who He is and what He has planned for us. The teachings had been handed down from generation to generation and were regarded as all the truth that could be known about Him.
But there was a problem.
As I looked at the pile of teachings, I could see they had changed over time. I saw what appeared to be layers of hard, translucent, mineral sediment which had been added to them over the centuries. The layers of sediment had the effect of twisting and distorting them so they no longer represented the truth about God.
When I realized what had happened, I took a tool and began chipping away at the layers of sediment. I knew I’d have to remove them if I wanted to know the truth about God. That was the end of the dream.
The dream raises an issue familiar to many of us.
Fear.
Deception and Fear
Fear comes in many forms. A creepy shadow on the wall. A test for cancer. For many, our greatest fear is being deceived.
What if what the things we believe aren’t true?
Fear of deception is widespread in the church. Not because we naturally fear being deceived. Because we’ve been trained to fear it. Some would have us think that deception is the unpardonable sin. But when we understand what deception is, we can see there’s no reason to fear it. Deception is having wrong ideas about something. And we all have wrong ideas now and then.
I was in an ambulance one night with a patient, driving from Knoxville to Nashville, Tennessee. I had driven for a while, confident that I was heading west. It was only after I saw the signs for Chattanooga that I realized I was going the wrong way. I was not on Intestate 40 driving west. I was on Interstate 75, driving south. I was deceived. And I felt stupid about it.
Ever been in love? The kind of love that seems… perfect? You have a “knowing” that they’re the one God made for you. A certainty that marriage is in your future. And then the unexpected happens. That perfect person dumps you for someone else. And you’re heartbroken.
If you ever been lost, if you’ve ever been in a relationship that ended unexpectedly, you’ve been deceived. Being deceived can be painful. And disappointing. But it’s not the end of the world.
When we listen to a sermon or study the Bible, the purpose is to teach us something we don’t know. To impart knowledge where there is ignorance. Or rather—deception. If we’re not ignorant of something—if we’re not deceived—there is nothing about it that can be learned. Learning is replacing deception with truth. We’re all deceived. It’s why we study. It’s why we’re able to grow in our knowledge of the truth.
We like to guard against deception by embracing teaching that’s reliable. Jesus did warn us to avoid deception. But he didn’t tell us to fear it. Fear can make us cling to things that are false and reject things that are true. God doesn’t want us to be deceived, but He doesn’t want us to be fearful, either. He wants us to be full of faith. Brimming with confidence. Able to embrace the truth. Even if it’s a little weird.
Weird?
How many of the disciples do you think expected Jesus to raise the dead? Lazarus coming out of the grave, still wrapped in grave-clothes was a weird moment for them.
How many expected Him to walk on the sea? More weirdness. If anyone says Jesus wasn’t weird, they haven’t considered these Kodak moments in the proper light.
Just because something is weird, doesn’t mean it isn’t God. Just because something’s been taught as truth for generations, doesn’t mean it’s true. Scientific exploration has proven thousands of brilliant men to be liars.
I want to share with you the things I’m learning about God. I want to help you discover who He really is and what He has planned for you. Not what people have said about Him over the centuries. What He says about Himself. And what He says about you.
Some of the things we discover might seem a little weird. They may be contrary to traditional teachings. But as my dream indicated, some of the traditions we’ve been taught aren’t true. Maybe it’s time we replaced dead and twisted traditions with a living reality.
I’m not suggesting you throw away your Bible. I’m not trying to start a cult. I’m just an explorer. A sojourner hoping to experience more of the God who calls us His beloved. If you’re willing to walk with me, and if you’re willing to pray for wisdom and discernment, I think we’ll experience things that will blow you away.
Thanks for joining me on the journey.
Related:
Our View of God
13 Comments
Sartell Philip H.
PM, Please read Jeremiah 6:16. God showed it to me yesterday, and I meditated in the meaning of its words. I believe your ancient teachings are the old paths where the good way is. Walk in the old, everlasting, eternal Way and we will have rest for our souls. You have Word to back up your dream. Thank you for sharing. I do join with you.
David Murry
Awesome, PM. I am speaking tomorrow on the very same subject. In order for us to track with where the Lord wants to move us further along in 2017 we need to know where we are and how we got here.
This was very encouraging for me to read. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
David NY
Praying Medic
Thanks, David. Praying for a successful outing tomorrow.
David Murry
Much thanks, brother… and much needed 🙂 I’ll gladly receive that support.
Suzanne Neil
I love it, I’m in! My heart and mind are open to learn more and discover new things about who God is and what He wants us to know about Him. Thank you!!
Connie
We still.have to go to the BIBLE. That is where we will know the truth and the truth shall make us free. John 8:32. Fear destroy FAITH and FAITH destroy fear.
Eloisa Rodrigues
Amen loved to learn new things, Romans 12: 2 , & I believed their is more , specially on healing. Thks for sharing, God bless u more as being a blessed to us….
kathy danielson
Great introduction! You have my attention. Will you continue—or do we read your blog ?’ Our view of God’ –written in 2015?
Praying Medic
Welcome, Kathy! You might check out the related article. I also have a list of most popular posts at the bottom of the page. You could also scroll through my recent ones on the blog page.
manuela
new wine must be put into new wine skins, as they are not stiff and brittle, but expandable…. where the spirit of the Lord s, there is liberty. We just have to make sure it is in the frame of love and truth, then all things are possible, and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving. thank you for venturing out and exploring and most of all for sharing it with us…
ndell1
I run in the path and way of Your commands, for You have broadened my understanding and enlarged my heart.
Aunt Henry
I’m all in with you brother PM. Its true the enemy has twisted some gems from the past. Its difficult to find the original unedited book of Kenneth E. Hagin Sr. It contained liberating truth. After time i had noticed a lot of excellent books and other info dissapear from my local bible bookstore to be replaced with wordy nothing. Keep it coming brother the sheep hear His voice. Love it!!
Anonymous
nice i wish i had some of your spiritual experiences.I agree that the building blocks have been adulterated over generations and with the new wine comes the new wine skin,i believe these generational tenets of God are still the foundation from which the new wine skin emerges,if we miss the generational foundation of who God is then the new wine we have will be distorted.Thanks for your truths shared with the Ecclesia