“And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?” (Matt. 11:7)
Our perception of what is, is not always the revealing of truth. How many of you have seen a crowd in the distance, walked over to it and witnessed in that crowd a man out of place, not conforming to the image the world expects within its culture? Longer hair, unkept, scraggly clothing, clean but stained and torn, preaching the Word of God boldly for the glory of God? A man in camel’s hair amongst the suits and ties, amongst the finely dressed and correctly cut hair.
“For there is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:11)
It is the perception of a thing that matters, and those perceptions, if not tested are meant to and will draw us away from what is real, what is the truth. This has always been the way of our adversary, allow them to see a part of the truth, but never fully, outright lies rarely work, an intermingling of truth and lies leaves one open to questions, and in that most will form an opinion.
There is always a choice, and it depends on how much we desire to know the truth that will cause us to either seek for it, or simply accept what is given and rely on it as enough to convince us.
The corporate media in nearly every arena today belongs to Satan, the headlines scream persuasions, retractions, when offered, are placed on the pages far to the back, found only by those who have determined not to be deceived.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2nd Tim. 3:13)
One must not only be blessed with Spiritual discernment, but desirous to seek for truth, but again, the first point of wisdom is to understand if what is offered is necessary to seek out further.
To be conformed to the world is to follow the path it is taking, to attempt to catch every “Breaking News story,” and far too much of the born-again believer’s life can then be wasted in attempting to see through that perception that is offered to the truth of the matter. This is a great diversion of Satan, and if you have not been trapped by it, then you are witnessing some of your brothers and sisters in Christ who have.
“You’ll never believe what I heard …”
“Did you see what happened …?”
It matters not if it is something of the world or what they might consider the next sign of the end of the age of the Gentiles, perceptions are meant to divert us from what we have been sent to accomplish, preach repentance and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, offer to all who will listen their need of repentance to whom all have to do with.
The long-haired bearded man does not care what you think of his physical appearance, he is not going to get the appropriate haircut of the day and put on a suit and tie in the hope of garnering more attention. He is not going to follow or fit in with the world. He points to Christ, and if those in attendance cannot see past his appearance with their eyes, then they will never see the truth.
Be suspicious of all you hear and see, test it, but apply the knowledge that comes with wisdom first, is it necessary to know the truth beyond the event offered?
They used to be called “bunny trails,” and they will take you off the path every time.
