Deep Deception
Critical Thinking and the Kingdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The Challenge of Reason
The Challenge of Reason
Time, effort, and energy are all required to think properly as a Kingdom citizen. Worldliness/laziness in thinking is a much “easier” way. (Heb 5:14; Lk 6:46)
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
One can call Jesus Lord and even proclaim that they follow the Bible, but in reality be in a very different place. (Lk 6:46)
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Many deceptions must be overcome before one takes the Bible seriously!
When one decides to pursue truth, there always will be obstacles to overcome!
The Bible can help us to think properly! (1 Jn 4:1-6; 1 Cor 4:6; Mt 4:4-10)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
God expects us to be completely committed to what is “written.”(1 Cor 4:6)
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
The greatest enemy to Satan is the written word when properly handled. In this we should follow the example of our Lord! (Mt 4:4-10)
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,
‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
Walking with God Requires Overcoming Deception
Walking with God Requires Overcoming Deception
Choosing the right path helps us overcome Satan and deception. (Jn 8:31-37; 1 Jn 2:13-14; Jn 1:4-12)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.
I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father.
I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one.
Did everyone believe in Jesus? Why?
The battle between God and Satan is a battle for our hearts. The path for each is as different as light and darkness. (Jn 1:4-12)
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Deception is to be taken seriously! (Lk 12:1-3; Mk 8:15)
How many times did Jesus say beware, take heed, be not deceived and many other warnings to His disciples concerning deception. (Lk 12:1-3; Mk 8:15)
In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
What is “the leaven of Herod?” It is deception coming from a political system of thinking that is promoted on many fronts. This system is called postmodernism.
What is deception?
Deception -avpa,th, hj, h` (1) trickery, deceitfulness, deception (CO 2.8); of the appeal of riches temptation, seduction, delusion (MT 13.22); of the attractiveness of sin deceit, deception (HE 3.13); (2) of pleasure that involves one in sin deceitful pleasure, evil fun, dissipation (2P 2.13) – Friberg
Satan is relentless. We can easily be moved from faithful service to hypocrisy.
Overcoming Deception means Changing the way we Think
Overcoming Deception means Changing the way we Think
Results of the wrong way of thinking (Prov 1:7; Titus 2:6-8; 1 Tim 1:18-19)
How do we choose to view the world? What is the purpose of my life? How can I know anything?
What is my “worldview.” What truths to I begin with to pursue knowledge?
When I trust God and His word then I will have a path to a sound mind. (Prov 1:7; Titus 2:6-8; 1 Tim 1:18-19)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,
Fruits of the “wisdom of satan” (James 3:13-16; Jn 10:10)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Selfishness – Man is the center of thinking, seeing personal power and gain.
Bitter envy – Irrational anger over the thoughts and actions of others. Bitter suggests a strong anger that has shut down rational thinking.
Boasting – Pride that can only see self and one’s “allies” while looking at others as in one’s mind competitors that must be attacked and destroyed.
Lying – There are no rules in this conflict only issues to twist and from to one’s own advantage. Satan is the master of accusations by lying.
Confusion – By changing definitions, making judgements without evidence and then ridiculing reasonable examination will allow lies to thrive in confusion.
Every evil thing – Satan seeks a destruction of both moral truth and objective truth. When the mind is destroyed anything is possible in behavior! (See Rom 1)
Changing the Way we Think Requires Commitment
Changing the Way we Think Requires Commitment
A culture changes its thinking slowly over time. A distinct change in emphasis has taken place among brethren over how we should view the Bible. (Mk 12:26; Prov 18:13; Jn 12:48-50; 17:7-8, 17-20)
One of the common themes has been to attack the past stands on how we reason from scriptures. (Mk 12:26)
But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
Writers from places like Abilene Christian college and Pepperdine began to literally rewrite the history of the restoration movement.
Rather than debate how we should reason from scripture, they simply asserted that the approaches the men advocated and used were completely determined by the culture of that time.
They asserted to know the motivations and prejudices of these men and then discarded their arguments without even trying to answer them. (Prov 18:13)
He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
They asserted that men were influenced solely by philosophers of that time such as John Bacon and John Locke.
They then labeled those who took the position that we need positive authority from the scriptures in all that we teach and practice. They called them “propositional Baconians.” (Jn 12:48-50)
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
They even went so far to attack the very basis of how words and language communicate ideas by attacking CENI (command, example and necessary conclusion) as a “church of Christ” man-made tradition. (Jn 17:7-8, 20)
Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
When pressed to show how should we use the Bible many would appeal to general concepts such as “read the Bible as a story” (Ex. N.T. Wright – Play)
Great emphasis was given to how we cannot understand the Bible unless we have a deep understanding of the ancient culture in which it was first written.
Because some have claimed to have such a deep knowledge, they have rejected the role of women as a “social construct” or as a product of “culture.”
How can we know how to read scripture? Jesus showed all men how to reason from and thus to understand His word! (Jn 17:17-19)
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
In time, those that pushed these views have now rejected the very foundations of Bible authority and in turn rejected almost all doctrinal and moral standards that go against the present culture.
The closest system of religious thought to the progressive movement is atheism and agnosticism. Not the same things, but the same elements of postmodernism infect both.
Many drink from the broken cistern of postmodernism.
A good secular resource to understand postmodernism: Pluckrose, Helen; Lindsay, James A. Cynical Theories
This is a philosophy that at its core rejects reason and, as a result, denies that truth can be found. Those who claim truth can be found are viewed as bullies.
How do you describe a system of thought that denies the ability of men to properly reason? Trying to define this is very difficult.
Most who are strongly influenced by postmodernism will reject that they are “postmodernist.” In such a vague system I can see why denial is easy.
Here is how secular scholars have described this. (Note - All quotes below from: Pluckrose, Helen; Lindsay, James A.. Cynical Theories)
What, though, is postmodernism? The online Encyclopedia Britannica defines postmodernism as a late 20th-century movement characterized by broad skepticism, subjectivism, or relativism; a general suspicion of reason; and an acute sensitivity to the role of ideology in asserting and maintaining political and economic power.
For postmodernism, by contrast, reality is ultimately the product of our socialization and lived experiences, as constructed by systems of language.
Over the decades, it has dramatically altered not only what and how we think but also how we think about thinking. Esoteric, academic, and seemingly removed from the realities of daily existence, this revolution has nevertheless had profound implications for how we interact with the world and with one another. At its heart is a radical worldview that came to be known as “postmodernism.”
Postmodernism is difficult to define, perhaps by design.
Ultimately, the Enlightenment that postmodernists rejected is defined by a belief in objective knowledge, universal truth, science (or evidence more broadly) as a method for obtaining objective knowledge, the power of reason, the ability to communicate straightforwardly via language, a universal human nature, and individualism. They also rejected the belief that the West has experienced significant progress due to the Enlightenment and will continue to do so if it upholds these values.
In this worldview there are no standards of morality. Morals vary by a given culture and is determined by the dialogues and common stories in that culture.
Relativism of moral and ethical discourse: Morality is not found but made. That is, morality is not based on cultural or religious tradition, nor is it the mandate of Heaven, but is constructed by dialogue and choice. This is relativism, not in the sense of being nonjudgmental, but in the sense of believing that all forms of morality are socially constructed cultural worldviews;
For Steinar Kvale, professor of psychology and director of the Center of Qualitative Research, the central themes of postmodernism include doubting that any human truth provides an objective representation of reality, focusing on language and the way societies use it to create their own local realities, and denying the universal. These, he explains, resulted in an increased interest in narrative and storytelling, particularly when “truths” are situated within particular cultural constructs, and a relativism that accepts that different descriptions of reality cannot be measured against one another in any final—that is, objective—way.
Knowledge, truth, meaning, and morality are therefore, according to postmodernist thinking, culturally constructed and relative products of individual cultures, none of which possess the necessary tools or terms to evaluate the others.
5. There is a denial that language can adequately communicate truth.
In postmodern thought, language is believed to have enormous power to control society and how we think and thus is inherently dangerous. It is also seen as an unreliable way of producing and transmitting knowledge.
For Derrida, meaning is always relational and deferred, and can never be reached and exists only in relation to the discourse in which it is embedded. This unreliability of language, Derrida argues, means that it cannot represent reality or communicate it to others.
There is a great emphasis in looking at all knowledge from what they claim brings power and control over people. They then seek to view all thought from the lens of who are oppressors and who are the oppressed. Truth tellers are labeled as oppressors! (Jn 8:32; 1 Kgs 18:17)
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”
What Seidman and Anderson are describing here are changes in epistemology—that is, in how we obtain and understand knowledge. The postmodern turn is primarily characterized by a rejection of Enlightenment values, especially its values regarding the production of knowledge, which it associates with power and its unjust application.
If language cannot adequately communicate objective truth and there are no morals, then how can “oppression” be defined and identified?
In the political realm there is great focus on using political power to control language.
In postmodern thought, language is believed to have enormous power to control society and how we think and thus is inherently dangerous. It is also seen as an unreliable way of producing and transmitting knowledge.
This evinces the postmodernists’ tendency to seek the roots of meaning in language and to become overly concerned with the ways in which it shapes social reality through its ability to constrain and shape knowledge—that which represents what is true.
For postmodernism, by contrast, reality is ultimately the product of our socialization and lived experiences, as constructed by systems of language.
The postmodern political principle: A belief that society is formed of systems of power and hierarchies, which decide what can be known and how.
If you played against a grandmaster chess player, would you win? Imagine trying to match our intellect against the spiritual being known as Satan. We will not outsmart him! (Eph 4:14, 6:11-13; 1 Pt 5:8)
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Wiles - meqodei,a, aj, h` (also meqodi,a) method, procedure; in the NT in a bad sense, as scheming to deceive craftiness, cunning, deception (EP 4.14); plural stratagems, cunning attacks, tricks (EP 6.11)
Jesus tried to warn Peter about the power of this great deceiver. (Lk 22:31-34)
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
What kind of thinking could have led Peter to ignore this warning? What kind of thinking can we similarly engage in?
All men must prioritize the subjects that they carefully think about.
We do not have the time or energy to carefully analyze every decision and action we take. There are times that “shortcuts” are ok.
We need to heed scripture as to the things we must carefully consider! (Deut 12:28-30; Lk 8:18; 12:15; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 10:12)
What do we put at the forefront of our thoughts each day?
Six shortcuts from facts and reason in making decisions. (From the Psychology of Persuasion – Robert Cialdini)
Reciprocation
“Little wonder, then, that the influential French anthropologist Marcel Mauss, in describing the social pressures surrounding the gift-giving process in human culture, can state, “There is an obligation to give, an obligation to receive, and an obligation to repay.”
Commitment and consistency
This is “…our desire to be consistent about what we have already done. Once we have made a choice or taken a stand, we will encounter personal and interpersonal pressures to behave consistently with that commitment.”
Social proof
“We view behavior as more correct in a given situation to the degree that we see others preforming it.”
Liking
“People prefer to say ‘yes’ to those they know and like.”
Authority
“We tend to follow authority figures. An order from an authority is usually seen in isolation instead of the situation as a whole. We are as vulnerable to the symbols of authority as to its substance.”
Scarcity
“Opportunities seem more valuable to us when their availability is limited. The thought of losing something motivates us more than the thought of gaining something of similar value.”
This Deception is Impacting the Church
This Deception is Impacting the Church
There are current beliefs being forced into the mind and heart of citizens by the power of the state. Some who have resisted this religious teaching have lost their careers and more. (Rev 13:16-17, 11-13; 18:23; 19:20; 20:10)
I believe that all these teachings have their roots in postmodernism.
The dogmas that are bred from this philosophy are used to accuse innocent people of both motives and behaviors without evidence or due process.
It has created irrational and unjust attitudes towards people by race, gender and religious beliefs.
These dogmas are at the heart of the teaching in the social studies in most of our universities. It is being taught in in every branch of our government under the guise of “promoting diversity.” It is also being taught in most of our large corporations. Sadly, it is now being taught from kindergarten through High School in many of the public schools.
If one wants a job or seeks a public education, they will be exposed to these teachings and under various threats expected to accept them.
The impact upon local churches is evident.
Hateful attitudes towards males in general and the role of men are being promoted. Male leadership both in schools and in the church is failing. Our young men face a hostile world simply because they were born a male.
Hateful attitudes towards broad racial groups under the category of “white” is being promoted. These broad, unjust generalizations have harmed many in our families. Our young people face a hostile world simply because they were born “white.”
Hateful attitudes towards local churches and their leaderships without evidence of wrongdoing or ever having ever approached brethren with their concerns is being promoted. When broad complaints are made without evidence or mercy then an irrational bitterness can be planted in hearts that, in time, cause many to leave local churches and cast off their brethren.
Hateful attitudes towards those that believe in the Bible are being promoted. Because the Bible plainly speaks on topics such as homosexuality, gender identity, the role of men, unjust prejudice towards groups, morality, and especially the plan and purpose of the home. Those who follow the teachings of the Bible are unjustly labeled as “oppressors” because of their beliefs.
Hateful attitudes towards individuals, organizations, schools and businesses in similar ways are being promoted. We are seeing Christians become comfortable in reviling and making public accusations for which they have no evidence.
Hateful attitudes towards those that carefully reason from the scriptures and with love, stand upon that truth is being promoted. Labeling brethren as Pharisees and then scoffing at their teaching without even opening a Bible to test their teachings, is accepted by some as being enlightened.
There are real issues that when honestly defined ought to be taught!
There is real oppression by power groups and individuals that should be examined and condemned. Even churches can become such!
Condemnation should come from a righteous process that is evidence based and justice based.
It is equally unjust and oppressive to condemn others by painting with a “broad brush” such as by lumping one into a group by their skin color or gender determined at birth and proclaiming them guilty on that basis.
The Scope of these Lessons
The Scope of these Lessons
We will single out issues and apply Bible teaching to each issue. (Col 2:8; 18-19; 1 Pt 2:23; Rev 2:27; 19:15)
My focus will be on what the Bible teaches about the issues raised by these philosophies. When an issue is properly defined, then we must be grounded in what the Bible teaches about these things. (Col 2:8; 18-19)
We will look at how the Christian must guard his heart in these difficult times. We must maintain integrity and promote the fruit of the Spirit while avoiding bitterness and unjust hatred. (1 Pt 2:23)
We will also emphasize the place of the Christian in this conflict. It is crucial that they do not take on a battle that should be put in God’s hands. (Rev 2:27; 19:15)
What is our role, and what is God’s role? Do not be pulled away from your core purpose!