Good and Evil—Truth and Deception
This is the first of several posts identifying the specific areas of loss of the Christian influence in our culture, and the demise of society as a result. With these posts, I hope to impart deep truths about the Christian faith to embolden Christians to demonstrate Christ’s love and power which is God’s plan to eradicate evil.
From the beginning of time, it has been apparent to all human beings that two forces exist in the world. The forces of good and the force of evil. No matter what country, ethnicity, political or religious persuasion, culture, gender, education or economic status—regardless of your individual realities—you are subject to both good and evil.
You must agree both good and evil co-exist in the world where you live. The existence of both good and evil is undeniable.
Yet, what real thought have you given to this truth? How will you effectively answer, since as a whole, our culture has rejected absolute truth and has become convinced truth is relative? Many people have become convinced that it is good to claim truth is personal and whatever an individual believes is truth for themselves. Even though this results in serious conflict among people, a growing number of people embrace this thinking.
Is conflict good or evil? What force do you think is behind conflict?
We are human. We have specific needs in common with every other human being who has ever lived. Yet, we live in conflict with one another. Again, what force do you think is behind conflict?
In every instance where I’ve had the opportunity to ask people: “Who wants to live your life on the basis of a lie?” No one ever states they do. Not one. This means universally, all human beings regard truth as preferable or good, and deception or lies as bad. This reality alone, reveals all human beings have an innate moral compass. We all make distinctions between good and evil. We may not agree on the morality of many other topics, but when it comes to truth or deception governing our lives, we universally agree we want truth.
Then, what force do you think is responsible for moving culture from embracing absolute truth and adopting relative truth?
The reasoning for claiming truth is relative states the only reality is the one you know–the one you experience and perceive. Therefore, to claim someone else is out of touch with reality, implies the claimant’s reality is superior and our culture considers such a claim/person arrogant. Really? Would it be arrogant of me to urgently warn you of an impending truck about to run you over, that you don’t perceive? No, you would expect me to warn you. In actuality claims that truth is relative are highly selective and applied to those matters the individual wants to indulge in, regardless of the opposition from others. However, as the example of the impending truck reveals, opposition to your perceived reality could very well be in your best interest.
Absolute truth is objective and based on reality. Relative truth is personal, subjective and able to disregard reality. Have you thought much about this? Have you studied the definition of the word insanity? When people are out of touch with reality, aren’t they considered insane? Reality is absolute and cannot be altered to accommodate anyone’s personal preference. However, many people live their lives on the basis of an invented truth of their own preference.
What force, then, do you think is responsible for influencing people to deny reality?
Consider: when a person is deceived, they are completely unaware of their condition. It is the nature of deception that the victim is unaware. Any one of us could be deceived and not know it.
How, then, can we be certain we are living our life on the basis of truth?
In all my work, I seek to appeal to people’s logic and reason, deeply respecting them as a contemporary, and wanting them to live their life on the basis of truth. No one ever raises their hand when asked if they want to live their life on the basis of a lie. At the same time, many people are deceived, and utterly unaware of their condition. Could this be you?
My first book in my award-winning Faith to Live By series was inspired by reading an article by ABC News that clearly revealed how deceived many people are about truth and matters of religious faith. Examine Your Faith! Finding Truth in World of Lies, is recommend for anyone who wants to confidently know their life is based on truth.
I welcome your comments and hope my work causes you to reconsider what you believe, and the foundation upon which you base your life. We all want to live our life on the basis of truth. I hope to encourage you to continue seeking truth as the life-long process of discovery it is.
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