By Nancy Virden (c)2024

Some people choose to be blind to the obvious, deaf to rebuttals, and carelessly unthinking.  The motives behind this are anyone’s guess, but I suspect greed at the root. People with money have invested in or purchased a lie or product and want to see a return.

They press the lie in a braggadocious manner or imbue an empathetic air. The tools they use to convince others to buy into the lie include emotional, idealistic, and financial promises.

A second reason to choose ignorance is a search for safety. Denial can help us to feel safe, by allowing us to avoid scary changes. Maybe the fear is losing social status or money. Facts do not matter in light of a false sense of safety.

The scariest lies are those promoted by some religious spokespeople including atheists. Encouraging us to be blind, deaf, and unthinking, they holler, “Listen to me! I am a religious leader- would I mislead you?”

According to Jesus, the worst act religious persons can perform is anything that prevents people who are seeking God from finding Him. He accused merchants at the front of the Temple of turning the sacred space into a market. They were cheating people by charging high prices for access to God. People could practice important acts of their faith only if they lined the merchant’s pockets.

Many lies are floating around now in the USA. The biggest has been with us for years, that it is mean-spirited to offend anyone. This creates the perfect atmosphere for lies to thrive. Nice people who do not enjoy hurting others’ feelings, will be more careful before speaking the truth.

It’s gaslighting. One person lies, then tells those who disagree that they are “bad” for disagreeing. If one continues to disagree they are accused of being the problem. You’ve heard it lately in several spheres of social and political life.

Gaslighting can make a victim feel disconnected, lost, scared, full of self-doubt and other negative identity issues. For me, this is why I am thankful for the steadiness of the Word of God. It is unchanging truth and principles of truth (common sense) are built into its messages. The Bible is how I slowly recognized the truth about my marriage. It is also the key to understanding stability even while the world goes insane.

Choose to discover truth the way Jesus instucted. He went far beyond us being only superficially aware of his teachings. He said “If you follow my teachings, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Discovery is firstly follow (obey), then truth is revealed.

Examine. Pray. Seek wisdom. Be an antithesis to ignorance.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Proverbs 12:5-7

The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.  The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.  The wicked are overthrown and are no more,  but the house of the righteous stands firm.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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