Methods & Consequences of Deception

Over 2,000 years ago, a certain famous philosopher walked the earth making observations and statements about science, about life and the world we live in. One day he made the presumption that heavy objects fall faster than light ones. He had such a reputation for being so knowledgeable, that his genius was never questioned. If it was, the dissenters were burned at some stake for challenging church dogma. It is hardly imaginable that centuries went by before someone like Galileo was brave enough to challenge Aristotle and his claims - and dropped a couple of rocks off of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in 1610. When the news went out that Aristotle was wrong, it must have rocked the world, knocking props out from under a pedestal that they created, worshipping some philosopher that was regarded as infallible.

Hopefully, when one comes to a realization such as this, he stops and asks himself about a lot of other things as well. It was years before I realized some facts about mirrors. We hold our right hand up to a mirror, and the subject in the mirror holds up their LEFT hand. We hold a word up to it, and the lettering is reversed, yet mirrors do NOT reverse images. (reply for details on this).

So we start to question a lot of things around us in everyday life. When we pick up some translation of the Bible, and find Acts 8:37 missing (space does not permit explanation here), we REALLY start to wonder. I am not casting doubt on the Word of God, only some translations of it. We wonder how many other verses they left out.

Years ago, I was invited to someone's home on New Year's eve. Around 11:50 we were watching half a million people jammed into Times Square waiting for the ball to drop on the roof of the Times building. When I was growing up in New York, I even joined in that insanity once. In the corner of the TV screen, it said "Live from New York". They may as well have left the "v" out. I was in Oklahoma, ten minutes before midnight. At the moment, it was almost 1:00 in New York. Everyone was on their way home from the New Year celebration. We were watching a video replay of the event. At 2:00, they would play it again for the mountain time, and again at 3:00 for the pacific time zone. "Well" one may say "at the time it happened, it WAS live, so they had it printed on the screen at the time." Then to that I say why did they do that, knowing that they were going to replay it later for the benefit of other time zones?

I suppose you may accuse me of splitting hairs, but I am attempting make a point. We are often deceived by day to day events and things that occur around us, some more deliberately than others.

Years ago there was a radio program produced by Orson Welles, called "The War of the Worlds". One evening, he did a dramatization of an invasion of New Jersey and New York City by space aliens. People who tuned in late did not know it was only another episode in his broadcast. Panic ensued throughout the New York area, since they thought it was actually happening. Some were even jumping out of windows. The sad part is that it was a petrifying horror to those who thought it was actually happening. Others who knew the truth were simply fascinated by another episode by Welles.

Three types of people were experiencing this event:
1-Those who were aware that it was only another episode in the broadcast.
2-Those who thought it was actually happening and in a state of panic.
3-Those who thought it was happening, but were resting in God’s protection.

The latter category realized that God is sovereign, and if He can hang the stars in space, He can surely keep the world in place, regardless of how things may seem at the time. Nothing in this world can happen that God does not ultimately allow. If it could, we would have complete chaos with a world out of control. You may think we have that now! However, the point is that those in the third category could react just like those in the first one.

I heard a true story once of a man who was on a bombing mission in WW II. The plane carrying the bombs was having some problem in the bomb bay, and he was told to investigate it. After he solved the problem, he took a minute to just rest - and laid down right on top of the bomb. Some average person might be a little uneasy doing such a thing, but he knew he was right with God, and he was right where he was supposed to be at the moment. God was in control, and he had perfect peace that passes understanding, regardless of where he was, (even if the pilot released the bomb.)

We often find that fear produces lies, and lies produce fear. When you anticipate something and dread it, you anticipate the worst. Fear and worry about some event is just as bad, if not worse than when it actually happens. Taking the instance of "The War of the Worlds", just because people could not actually see the Martians coming, people's hearts were still palpitating. Sweat was still dripping off their chin. Their imaginations were running wild. One will ultimately discover that, whatever the circumstances are, regardless of the magnitude of some catastrophe, it simply is not worth worrying about, or losing sleep over.

I suppose it is easier for me to give such glib claims, not being in their shoes, or in your situation. But I can point you in a direction of One who knows what your circumstances are, and how to rest in His promises.

©1997 David Film.
www.DavidFilm.ShortURL.com