Imagine you’ve just caught your teenager in a lie about taking the car without asking and they’ve brought it home with a big dent in the door. They claim the dent was already there and try to gaslight you into thinking you were the one who didn’t see it. This is a compound technique: denying they were responsible for the damage while distracting you from the original issue that they took the car without permission. Somehow, they think there’s a chance you’ll believe none of it was their fault.
How about this one? Someone is caught stealing on a store’s security cameras and the evidence is found in their pockets and purse and backpack. The case goes to court and they plead not guilty.
Denying what’s true doesn’t make it less true.
Even though there’s a mountain of undeniable evidence, a percentage of people will always deny it exists. Some people will continue to say the Earth is flat. When they’re presented with photos taken of our planet from space that show it’s a sphere (along with every other planet and star), they say it’s a hoax.
These beliefs aren’t about the facts, they’re about something else that’s deeper. It’s the “something else” that’s fascinating. Let’s think about that today.
We hear the claim that something is a hoax on the daily. Even from those in positions of leadership. Even when evidence says otherwise. The real hoax comes from the one trying to cover up the truth. It’s a deliberate distraction and deception. The person who does this knows what they’re doing when they loudly lie and plant a big seed of doubt. Then there will always be those who take the bait and run with it. Now we have a situation. Only the truth is true and what isn’t true is a lie. By tolerating and normalizing lies and not holding people accountable for them, they reproduce and grow bigger. Thankfully, we have a justice system that exists to weed out those who can’t stop damaging other people’s lives and property on their own.
But there’s a much bigger lie that has even greater consequences that denies an immeasurable mountain of evidence. It’s been around since the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis. The devil was first to cry “hoax!” to Adam and Eve about who God is. They took the seed of doubt, followed his lie and did the very thing God had asked them not to. That’s the moment sin entered the human race and we have been dealing with it ever since. Here’s what Jesus Himself says in an exchange with religious leaders who were challenging the evidence that He was truly the Messiah and God the Son. This is who He says the devil is in the Gospel of John 8:42-47 (NIV):
“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar, and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.’”
Now we have the answer to what’s really going on behind the scenes spiritually – given to us by God Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. Those who deny the truth and spew harmful lies are connected at the root to the father of lies (the devil). Or, we can connect to the truth of God that leads to forgiveness of those sins and eternal life. Because we’ve been given free will, it’s our choice to follow the devil to hell or Jesus to Heaven. Don’t take my word for it, it’s in the Bible!
Here’s a serious warning to those who deceive others with lies like the devil does, found in Galatians 6:7 (NIV):
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
People may be fooled, but God will never be fooled. We may be able to evade the Police or even move to another country to avoid jail time, but Earth isn’t big enough to hide from God or the consequences of sin. He is the Righteous Judge we will all stand before one day. No more lies, hoaxes, deception, hypocrisy or sinful living – it will all be exposed. Some even deny this is in their future, but the truth will play out.
The idea to write about this came after watching a video about God’s creation and how He designed animals to adapt to the winter in many different, specific ways. I’ve always been mystified by how people can ignore the evidence that God exists. If we’re honest, it’s undeniable! I knew this in my heart even as a little kid – didn’t you? And if he exists, we need to stop what we’re doing and listen to Him again. Today more than ever. How? By reading His Word, learning about Him ourselves, praying, and letting Him change our lives. The desire to follow Him grows and we’ll see Him replace lies with the truth, hate with love, division with unity, fear with eternal peace in our own lives – and in our world.
RESET HIGHER: Where do you go to look for the truth? The news? Social media? People’s opinions – educated or otherwise? Your emotions? Why not look to God’s Word directly and pray for His wisdom for your life today? Follow Him and He will lead you to it.
