Happy Monday, friends! It is such a joy to walk with you on this journey called life. Whether you are part of the daily virtual fellowship or you drop in only occasionally, you are welcome here. My prayer is that you find peace in viewing our world through a truthful Biblical lens.

Each year, rather than setting New Year’s resolutions or making vows to read my Bible or pray more, I ask the Lord to give me a word that will serve as a focal point throughout the year. When I see that word in Scripture or hear it in everyday life, it is a reminder to consider how God’s Word uses that particular word, and how I am to apply it in everyday life. This year’s word is “TRUTH,” and wow, how God has used it to bring me into His Word and heighten my awareness of how that word is regularly misused in society.

Jesus says He is the way, the TRUTH, and the life (John 14:6). Indeed, He is the definition of truth, and He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Satan, on the other hand, is the father of lies (John 8:44). Therefore, lies, deception and delusion are diametrically opposed to the truth of God, and are from the pit of hell.

The apostle Paul warns of one who is coming in the last days who will bring about deception and strong delusion. (Take note of the use of “truth” in this passage.)

⁹ The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, ¹⁰ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, ¹² that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
~2 Thessalonians 2:7-11

That “lawless one” is the antichrist, and though there have been lots of “antichrist wannabes,” the world is ripe for the coming of THE antichrist. What will be a major sign of his coming? Lies, deception and delusion. We see it in our world today:

• Politicians call good evil and evil good, deceiving people into believing that things such as deviant lifestyles, border invasions, child mutilation and such are “good.”
• “Ministry leaders” take up the cause for those same deviant lifestyles and other anti-biblical positions. (The Bible calls them false prophets and teachers, and wolves in sheep’s clothing. (2 Peter 2, Matthew 7:15)
• Evil regimes spew lies and deception to “buy” acceptance and popularity on the world stage in hopes other nations will condone their behavior. We saw it with Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, and we witness it being repeated by the likes of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and all their proxies.
• Social media influencers are busy spinning untruthful tales about whomever and whatever according to who is signing their paychecks. The likes of Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly and others are bought and paid for by foreign interests who line their pockets to lie to the American public.

Over the next few days I will share some examples. The purpose is not to “beat down” certain people, groups, or leaders, but to produce the evidence of how rampant lies, deception and delusion are spreading, and the foreseeable impact on our nation, our world, and our faith (if we buy into it). The intent is not judgment toward particular people, but rather toward particular actions taken by those people.

As we journey together, may TRUTH be the focal point, rather than hatred or even disgust. To prepare, let’s lay a foundation of truth from Scripture.

1. Write out John 8:31-36. Writing slows things down, allowing you to soak in what the passage is saying.
2. Use this link to search the word “truth” just in the book of John. Throughout this week, read slowly through those verses (and the passage that surrounds each of them) and discover how Jesus is the definition of truth, and how He wants us to view the world through truthful eyes.

See you back here tomorrow as we look at specific examples of lies, deception and delusion growing in our world!