I was talking with some friends this morning about sharing the gospel with people who are "on the fence" when it comes to Jesus. One friend said, "Satan owns that fence, it's on his property". In our modern society people sometimes feel more comfortable being neutral on issues that are considered "hot topics". While some controversial issues around morality are clear, I've wanted to throw people a "rope of grace" rather than a "rock of condemnation". Having just finished a study on Revelation, I'm seeing it's gracious to help others see their neutrality is an illusion.
Bias toward illusion
Isaiah 30:10 was the only place in the Bible (NIV,ESV) where I could find the word "illusion". The scripture in context is Isaiah 30:8-17 where the children didn't want prophets to speak in God's name, what is right but preferred pleasant illusions or as NLT says they wanted to hear lies. They said to the "seers" to "see no more visions", in essence they had been given light but preferred darkness. Why would someone prefer darkness over light? Jesus said in John 3:18-21 it's because their deeds were evil. This is and has been a common problem to mankind through-out time and it seems every generation of children goes to battle against what God has revealed to us about himself.
- Romans 16:18; For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
- 2 Timothy 4:3,4; People won't put up with sound doctrine. They gather around themselves teachers who turn them away from truth that suits their own desires.
- Isaiah 5:20; Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness...
- Jeremiah 6:14; They dress the wound as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace' they say, when there is no peace.