“So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].” Ephesians 4:14 AMP
Reflection: whom or what do you confirm your beliefs with?
Many people have what is called “confirmation bias”. They prefer to listen to sources that agree with, even confirm their beliefs, and they specifically don’t seek or allow other views or voices that could challenge those beliefs. When they search for new information, they tend to be selective to further solidify their understanding, as opposed to challenge it. If they come across something contrary to their beliefs, they simply discard it as false. In other words, these people are pretty difficult to sway, even with facts. On the other hand, there are also many people who are easily swayed and can therefore be manipulated. But can these two attributes belong to the same people? Is it possible to be
Easily swayed, having a confirmation bias?
At first we would think not, because these two seem mutually exclusive. But, what if the manipulation came from within the group you have preference, or bias towards? Think for a moment about the political world, and the associated media. We all tend to have an affiliation to one side politically, and we therefore watch one type of media or TV. For instance, you are a GOP /conservative over 50 years old, you most likely will be watching Fox News, which tends tell you what you want to hear. But it also means that you can be easily manipulated by those voices, within that context. So we understand how that might work within politics. But,
I’m afraid we see some of this same behavior within church communities.
If you think about it, not many in the congregation challenge what comes from the pulpit, what the church leaders are saying, or just as importantly, omitting to say. In fact, most tend to go to a church where they “like” the vibe and the message. Most likely, there is a lot of false teachings within many churches. We see Paul’s warning against exactly this in the focus verse today, “So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].” Ephesians 4:14 AMP. Notice that his concern here is from within the church, some bringing “shifting doctrine”. These people are cunning, and do this for personal benefit.
Do we see any of this today?
I think we see a lot of it, unfortunately. We looked yesterday at the “business of church”, how much money and power is given to and involved with the operation of churches in the USA. So, of course that can draw the wrong kind of spiritual leaders, who want part of the money and power. But, how can we avoid being manipulated? Paul writes in the previous verses “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV.
As we mature in our Christian walk, being “sanctified”, we are to become more and more like Christ. And in doing so, we also gain discernment, so that we can better understand the spiritual world, including calling out what is true and what is fake. Who is truly following Christ, becoming more like Him, as seen by the fruit in their lives. Paul stated in the beginning of the chapter what the characteristics were, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,” Ephesians 4:2 ESV. So, if we see church leaders, pastors, teachers, etc that are not exhibiting these characteristics (and instead being boastful, impatient, even greedy), we should run away and not have any part of their trickery.
