We live in an age where disinformation runs rampant. The issue for us is how do we live in such a way as not to be deceived? Jesus said, “Be as wise and shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) It comes down to discernment. Yet even discernment can be hit and miss at times.
What can we do? We can look inward. One of our greatest needs is to be right. When we have a need to be right, we can be tempted to believe anything that indicates we are right. We can be tempted to only look at information that affirms our beliefs. We can even embrace untruths because they back up what we want to hear. In other words, our need for righteousness can set us up for deception.
Then there is fear. When we hear something disturbing, the temptation is to believe it. Often, we go to the Internet not to investigate if something is true or not, but to substantiate what we have heard. We look for information that backs up the fear.
It seems strange people would want to substantiate what is causing their fear. Yet, the Internet is full of fear mongers. We may even have people in our lives who frequently postulate about things that enhance fear. If fear lives in us, we may look for affirmation of our fear and this can set us up to be deceived.
How does God want to help us with fear and righteousness? God tells us not to fear because He is with us. God wants us to know, “…perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) God gives us His perfect love in Jesus Christ through His grace. It is a love that gives courage, not fear. We are also given righteousness through the perfect righteousness of Christ. We don’t need to be right because we already have righteousness in Christ. Righteousness in Christ and a love that casts out fear equip us to live in a world that can deceive us.
