The Faithfulness Of Deception

Let me begin by setting the context. We have all witnessed people being presented with truth exposing a fallacy or debunking sincerely held beliefs. Some of those people listened intently, responded in agreement, while others listened less favorably yet were unable to rebut or dis-confirm the facts. Interestingly, however, the outcome for people at these two poles is the same. Their immediate responses can look very different but in essence the outcome boils down to a single return. Zero Movement. It seems that even truth, the antidote to all forms of deception, is powerless unless injected directly into the vein. It has to hit the heart. I will talk about the most present and powerful foe of the truth. For the human, unanchored and aimless, our senses, ambitions and desires are currency in the hands of this mighty foe. In all things, from our first day until our last, we are trapped in the clutches of Deception—our faithful ally. All of our needs and desires are met in the worlds most ubiquitous resource. It matters not our nationality, race, religion or gender, Deception has us. From our most inner thoughts and feelings to our most deeply held sensibilities, we are served faithfully and in most cases thankful for the reassurance that we are in the right. Deception is like the air in our lungs and the blood in our veins. We can’t live without it and it is killing us. Its the reason for our mortality. It is the substance that made this world order the way it is.

Our body and psyche are held in most earnest care with whole and complete loyalty until our eventual demise. We may even become a most ardent and zealous evangelist of that compromised reality. In it we may have put our complete trust. Many are those who have said in the midst of their deception, “If this isn’t true, then nothing is true.” The black pit of death to those who can see it, is to some a place of hope and beauty. Don’t we understand that even our eyes and ears are at the beacon call of our familiar friend, Deception?

Words perhaps, above all, have been the greatest tool of Deception. We aught not to believe in them. They twist and cheat us into another hole of death in slogans like: life and liberty, political narratives, the politics of science, philosophy, religion, or societal norms. Can we understand that everything around us is corrupted and there is no way out of our stupor? But wait, hearken to this… Just when you thought all was lost yet another shiny deception masquerading in the costumes of health and wellness, the teachings of Buddha, Mohammad or the compromised church. Some allow pursuit of wealth to have their ear. We live in a world of lotus flower eaters. Understand that we cannot find our way. We can only be found. You can only hear the call if you are given that gift.

You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”

For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday

when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

Psalm 90

There is only one way out of the clutches of deception. We cannot think our way there, even that must be a way opened to us. As much as a person can receive direction to the path, it is better described as impossible. Even as I continue to write, I see each word as a potential tool of deception that influences around us, and our own psyche can use to lead us away from the intended coordinates . We cannot understand what is being conveyed to us because our mind is trapped. It is only mercy that will see us to the narrow path into the sojourn. This is not new to the world. This is the original battle for the souls of mankind. There is only this one battle. There is only this one gate and one path that leads us through. It is impossible to find and we won’t even know we are on it for sure until we encounter the Lord God.

For those who may be tempted by despair, let me leave these further thoughts. There is one special salve that will heal. Let me describe it in this way. The covenant of death and deception is binding and complete, however, no matter how late the hour or the extent of your compromise, and especially if ‘its too late,’ when you are offered entrance to the the narrow path, leave it all behind and go. Do not hesitate. He is the door and The Holy Spirit of God is your travel companion until the end. Jesus is the Hope of Glory. ~ Hebrews 12