In September of 1999, Hollywood asked one of the most thrilling question that can be asked…
“What is real? How do you define ‘real’? (Morpheus, The Matrix)
Beauty is photoshopped, Adobe can make a realistic representation of anyone’s voice saying anything they want, and the industry of fact checking is in full bloom.
Reality is augmented or made virtual, and the push for truth is getting more and more complex.
“More data was created in the last two years than the previous 5,000 years of humanity. In 2017, we will create even more data in one year alone.” Richard Harris reporting on Art Lando, CEO of Sencha, appdevelopermagazine.com
Biblical Reality
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ…” vs 8
“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world…” vs 20
“in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” vs 22 – 23
What is Real?
It’s very easy to be led astray when you can’t be sure the photo you’re looking at isn’t real, or not. Did Trump really say that, or was it an augmented tape replicating his voice?
Where the heck do we draw the line these days between what we know is real and what we can’t quite tell…
Reality tested isn’t New
The matrix didn’t invent a new question. They borrowed from Pilate as Jesus testified before him.
Jesus said, “I come to testify to the truth.”
To which Pilate snorted, “What is truth?”
Reality is under attack
Two good ways to obscure reality are:
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Cast doubt on the reality
Satan tried this in the garden saying, “Did God really say?” Even though he temporarily succeeds, God’s law remained as a reminder of what the truth was…
So Satan decided he’d:
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Drown Reality in lies
Have you ever been at a stop light and the left turn lane starts going. Seeing them move, have you ever pushed your brakes again because you thought you were moving?
If you can’t dissuade people of the truth by casting doubt, take away their perspective by muddying the waters so much that perspective is hard to gain.
Reality of Christ
Christ teaches us what we need to know about reality – we are created in Him, loved by Him, accepted by Him, and restored by Him.
If you’re feeling controlled, held down, depressed, beat up, or feel like you might be in anyway held captive by lies, I’d encourage you to ask God to reveal these to you…
Ask yourself why you believe that and what that says about your relationship with God.
