"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." -1 Peter 5:8
This powerful passage of the Bible is often used to cast doubt on anyone who has different beliefs. Contemplating this scripture, it occurred to me that everyone seems to believe that everyone else is being duped by clever lies from the opposing side. Not only does this create a great deal of uncertainty, it also stokes division and hostility that rips at the fabric of society.
Think about it: If you don't believe that Christ died and rose again as the salvation of humanity, you've been deceived. If you don't believe that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal ravaging the Ukraine, you've been deceived. If you don't believe that the climate crisis is the greatest threat to public health, you've been deceived. If you don't believe the COVID vaccines are safe and effective, you've been deceived.
In reality, the accusations of deception flow from both ends of the political spectrum. Nobody wants to be deceived, nor are we quick to realize that we actually have been deceived. When confronted with the threat of deception, it is human nature to double down on personal beliefs, justifying ourselves through confirmation bias and insulating ourselves in isolated pockets of influence.
While all of this is normal, predictable behavior, it raises the question: How do we know if we are being deceived? And, by asking this question, we rip the lid off a big can of worms.
