When Everything is Not as It Appears

Avoiding the Pitfalls of a Predatory Culture While Staying True to Your Faith

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Have you ever taken something at face value only to find out later it was not what it appeared? Or worse, have you trusted someone up front who later betrayed you?

My therapist tells me I have a strong skeptic component to my personality, as I frequently question the validity of situations (and the sincerity of people). I prefer to think of it as defaulting to caution rather than naiveté. In our current climate of AI driven content, images, and even personal photos, along with filters and photoshop software on steroids especially on social media, “seeing is not always believing”.

But appearances only pose one side of the deception, talk is cheap and there is scant accountability for the flurry of big promises bantered about in every arena, especially social media. I wonder how quick inflated claims and truths so-called would be tossed about if everything we said was “fact checked”.

No, don’t believe everything you hear either.

Relax, I am not on a witch hunt or rant against social media, I use it too. It simply provides an example to which everyone can relate, and we are all familiar with its misuse.

But I have encountered many people who are feeling unsafe in what has become both a predatory culture at large, as well as an inauthentic one. The days of “a man’s word being as good as his bond,” and “what you see is what you get” are no more.

Living in a culture which lacks authenticity leads to anxiety, cynicism, and constant disappointment, with an endgame of distrust. Reflecting on these things over the past month I realized what Christ meant when He said in Matthew 10:16:

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Jesus knew the hearts of men, and He knew we would encounter the exact things we face today. His advice? Though we live in the world, we are not of the world, and as such He counsels us to be wise; shrewd in our discernment, whether it be in ministry, work, or personal situations, while also maintaining a clear conscious and upright behavior.

Jesus was not advocating a posture of distrust, nor an attitude of “everyone is guilty until proven innocent.” To the contrary, He advised His followers to maintain authentic, others focused postures of humility and compassion, while exercising wisdom filled discernment. In other words, not foolishly believing everything you see and hear, but also avoiding condemnation of others rooted in suspicion.

So, how do we navigate the world’s hall of mirrors without lapsing into harsh cynicism or becoming apathetic, while remaining authentic to our core beliefs?

Christ told His followers they were sent out as sheep among wolves, the innocent among the predators. The world presents an intentionally hostile environment for the Christ follower. Survival and staying on mission involve the kingdom building skills of godly wisdom and humility.

In using the metaphor of a serpent, Christ invites us to a life characterized by prudence. The gaining of godly wisdom advocated by Solomon in Proverbs 4:5-9, equips us with:

Discernment: The ability to distinguish right from wrong and truth from falsehood.

Caution: Awareness of potential pitfalls and taking protective measures.

Strategy: Proactive planning and reliance on guidance from the Holy Spirit.

The metaphor of the dove used by Christ exhorts us to lives characterized by peacefulness and authenticity which reflects:

Compassion: Responding to others with genuine empathy and desire for understanding.

Forgiveness: Willingness to pardon those who have wronged us and openness towards reconciliation where possible.

Humility: Maintaining a healthy view of our own weaknesses and limitations.

Navigating life and kingdom building in our deceptive, predatory, and at times seductive culture requires a delicate balance between prudence rooted in godly wisdom and the genuine compassion of Christ for others.

Seek to:

Navigate conflict with godly wisdom and genuine love and compassion for others.

Treat difficult colleagues or work-related situations professionally and ethically.

Speak the truth boldly with respect and discernment especially on sensitive subjects, esteeming others with patience.

Resist evil with godly wisdom and love, discerning God’s truth from the world’s deceptions.

As we seek to follow Christ and draw others from the kingdom of darkness into His glorious kingdom of Light, maintaining a balanced life of godly wisdom, humility, and love enables authentic connections and open pathways for the furtherance of the gospel.

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By the way…

Catch up at the blog:

The God Who Births Laughter -Read HERE

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