Deception

The lie of the Age of Information Glut seems to be that the more one knows or becomes aware of, the less likely that one is to be deceived...

I've made it my business to know certain things but, especially, to understand the motives and movings of people. What did that tone imply? What did that look mean? Why on earth would they think this or that? They did what? (Followed by the implied) Why?!

In spiritual circles, I made it my business to know arguments and counter-arguments but, especially, to the know the words of the Holy Bible - front to back, beginning to end. Why? So as not to be deceived, of course...

We (who are well-versed) chuckle a little at the Pharisees' deceit and conceit. How could they delude themselves so? How could their folly have not been so very painfully obvious? It's sometimes hard to read; their buffoonery seems too blatant. Typical schoolyard bullies in nearly every way.

King Solomon plainly tells us in the book of Ecclesiastes that to grow in wisdom is to grow in sorrow. His words latch to my chest like an oversized leech and hollow out my heart: How true I have found his words of wisdom to be in my own life. The moment I think I have grown above deception, the moment I have gathered enough information and understanding to breathe a sigh of relief, begets the very snatching of my own heel.

The moment we stare down the rabbit's hole and utter a meek or macho "I see...", we lose balance and topple head over heels down, down, down - to look back up at that which we did not see: That demon, Pride, who had been waiting the whole time to push us (ever so gently) over the edge.

I have been deceived more than once, despite my efforts against it. Turns out, these were the times I fought the wrong enemy. The lurking prowler I should have been on-guard against the whole time was pride. Not deception.

We deceive ourselves.

Even when we are deceived by others, it is pride we must guard against. Even then - yes, even then - deception is the wrong enemy, merely a tool, the eternal fog machine of pride.

In the cool of the garden fog, here slithered the serpent: "Did God really say?"

Of course, Eve knew better. She was smart in that way....

Pride leads to deception. The only way of escape, the only narrow road, is that of humility and suffering... as of our Lord Jesus Christ. Humility is not a groveling door mat of toleration. Humility is the strength of understanding one's place in the divine order of the world yet answering temptation with the same words of Jesus to Our Father: "Not my will but Thine be done."

Amen.

*Granted, "My people perish for a lack of knowledge" is also a thing. But a thing to discuss another day. Arguments and counter-arguments: I told you so. Yet, even that is folly, a chasing after the wind, friend.