When Truth Becomes as Precious as Jewels

(Truth Series Part I)

What happens when a commodity becomes scarce and the demand increases? Of course, the answer is that the value of the commodity rises—And if the supply of the commodity runs low enough then it becomes precious. This is the economic principle known as the law of supply and demand. The commodity in question is truth. The world has entered a time when deception has become so widespread that it is now commonly accepted that there are no real truths, and if there are we are incapable of knowing them. In other words, deceit, uncertainty, and lies have replaced truth. Within the last few decades, we have gone from knowing scientifically what gender a human is at the time of birth, to not being certain. Other examples of deception include the belief that men can get pregnant because there are no biological differences between the sexes, that children as young as four can choose their gender, that abortion is merely health care and not the surgical death of an unborn child, and it is intolerant to criticize any radical viewpoint but it is acceptable to ridicule Christianity. There are many more examples that can be cited but the point is made. When a society abandons the truth then the world is turned upside down. Light becomes darkness, bad becomes good, bitter becomes sweet, and lies become truth.

Consequences

Any rational person can look around them and see the consequences when deceit replaces truth. Chaos, lawlessness, immorality, corruption, and ignorance reign. When government leaders reject universal truths then they make irrational decisions. Policies made from false beliefs have major negative consequences such as increasing crime, unmanageable debt, runaway inflation, wars, disease, and rampant corruption. But the biggest consequence is the rejection of God, as the verse above indicates, “Through deceit they refuse to know me,” declares the Lord,” (Jer. 9:6). This is apparent with the declining church membership year after year. There is also a rise in members rejecting God’s truth and leaving the church. Add to this the growing opposition to Christian beliefs and the targeting of Christians with hate because they are presented as intolerant religious fanatics. Christianity is increasingly seen in a negative light by many–making it unattractive. Through the deceit of popular worldviews and beliefs, more and more people are rejecting God and His teachings.

Unbelievers in a fallen world hate the truth because it exposes their wickedness. They can only mask their sinful ways through deceit so that they can create the appearance of righteousness. It is only through deceptive schemes are they able to present evil as good, or darkness as light. This crooked and twisted generation is hostile to God, and they hate the light because it exposes their evil deeds. They are in rebellion against God and are in conflict with His ambassadors in the world.

Division, Hatred, and Chaos

When truth is abandoned in favor of deceptive lies then the disruption of a civil society occurs. For the operation of a peaceful and lawful society certain truths regarding laws, behaviors, conduct, and tolerance must be accepted by the general population. Those who violate these accepted truths are subjected to established consequences. But when these truths are transformed into falsehoods then the system maintaining order fractures and falls apart. Laws are no longer clearly established rules, they become obscure guidelines subject to any and all interpretations. These include the laws of science, morality, and ethics. Opinions, emotions, and popular consensus replace truth.

As the system of order disintegrates, disorder is the outcome. There is an increase of corruption, lawlessness, immorality, mediocrity, apathy, laziness, and callousness. The influence of Christian values diminishes and society regresses to a form of tribalism. This tribalism is an effect of the deceit sown by the demonic dark forces who oppose God’s Kingdom. Their scheme of deception is meant to cause confusion and division. Because deceit replaces truth, truth loses its ability to bind people together and they become divided into separate tribes. We see it now in the growing tribalism of groups of people according to politics, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and social status. As tolerance has become a primary vehicle to mobilize large groups of people together to advance the schemes of deception, we see a return to accepted racism and discrimination. Reverse discrimination and Anti-Semitism are now acceptable forms of hatred by certain groups due to their belief that these other groups are responsible for oppression and past injustices. As division increases it causes hate, hate causes conflict, and conflict causes chaos. Through chaos, God’s creation descends from order into disorder where wickedness reigns and holiness declines. Satan can then more easily pollute God’s image bearers (humankind) and keep them from God’s Kingdom. This is the goal of the deception.

The Powers Behind the Powers

So, who and what is behind the deception?

The deceptions of Satan, the father of lies, goes way back to the Garden of Eden when he deceived Eve into disobeying the command of God. His hatred of God is the motivation for his desire to corrupt men and women through deceit. Looking at the global and national situation from a ground level view, we see the deception and lies coming from world leaders, politicians, and the mainstream media. These lies become exposed in time after truth reveals them to be false. But the lies must continue in order for the hidden agenda of the enemy to succeed. The agenda is the goal of the deception as presented earlier. As we move out and view the situation from a spiritual level through a biblical lens then we are able to see the spiritual powers behind the worldly powers who are directing their actions of deception. In understanding this concept, we can draw on the Apostle Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 6:12, that our struggle is against the “spiritual forces of wickedness.”

Knowing this, our response must also be spiritual in nature. We are unable in our own power to confront the demonic forces who are the authors of the doctrines of deception. Deception can only be defeated with truth, and only God’s truth can overcome these demonic powers. The weapon needed is what Paul describes as the “sword of the Spirit,” which is the Word of God. The Apostle adds that believers must stand firm in the truth. Opposing demonic deception requires that God’s servants stand firm on God’s truth as they wield the “sword of the Spirit.“

The Precious Value of Truth

In a place of total darkness, a light becomes a valuable form of comfort and safety. Deception brings darkness and fear by the damage it causes. As deception grows so does the darkness. Truth opposes darkness and it operates as a light bringing comfort and safety to the world. As deception grows many in the world are fearful of the wickedness, chaos, and lawlessness that it causes. They recognize that only truth can overcome the deception, and now they seek the truth that shines as a precious jewel. The growing darkness caused by the deceitful spirits results in the truths of God’s Word to shine forth like precious jewels of light.

Our Response

The dark forces of deception will deploy their human ministers against the Church as it is the only vanguard that stands against their schemes. Many will retreat in fear or join the deceiving spirits against the Church. Even some members of the Church will turn against their brethren as they embrace the doctrines of demons that oppose God’s truth. We see now that many churches are choosing the views of the popular culture over the Gospel of Christ. In doing so, these church leaders are fulfilling the desires of the enemy by causing divisions in the Church and weaking its defenses. This also spreads the plague of darkness within the Church by obscuring God’s truth.

The Church and its true believers must stand firm against the forces of darkness and continue to advance the Gospel message to this wicked and crooked generation. Though they face strong resistance, the power of the Holy Spirit ensures that the message reaches its intended audience. While others fold against the attacks of the enemy, we must stand our ground to defend the truth and shine as lights to a world in the darkness of deception. The Church is to be the God’s city on the hill shining its light out into the world exposing the works of the wicked. The deceiving spirits cannot defend against the sword of the Spirit, and only the children of God are able to wield it. Those who are in darkness that are seeking truth will be directed by the lights of God’s light bearers. We are the ones who hold those precious jewels of truth!

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