Overcoming a Syndrome of Denial 

A concern for the brethren and for Truth

This article is a follow-up to Left Behind: Not! which featured in last weeks issue of Prophecy Today.

So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. (Is 59:14-15)

Concerns about deception stretch back to ancient times, with prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos highlighting the lack of truthfulness in their times.

In the wider world  ̶  not least since the concerted wave of military-grade psyops and synchronised propaganda that took place during the Covid ‘plandemic’  ̶  the matter of deception and skewed information also continues to be much in vogue; for example regarding claims that carbon emissions are destroying the planet, and the demonisation of Israel by the UN and many others.

Truth vs misinformation

Regarding ‘truth’, the UK legal system requires court witnesses to tell “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. Anything more or less could be considered to be a lie. Additionally, in the legal process we have the model of ‘prosecution and defence’. The wisdom of this protocol can be found in the words of King Solomon: “In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines” (Prov. 18:17).

It is this rebuttal process − evidenced in the diligent research of critical thinkers and illustrated by the believers in Berea (Acts 17:10-11) − that has sought to expose the lies of the legacy and social media through the pandemic era; not least through the ‘Ministry of Truth’, which is, of course, the BBC.

It would appear that cognitive dissonance has created a wilful denial: in effect a stubborn refusal to have a love for the truth, but rather ‘to believe the lie’.

However, it has nevertheless been the experience of not-a-few to have encountered very many others who seem to be unwilling to recognise and acknowledge the nature, scale and gravity of what has been and is being inflicted on the world’s populations by a globalist elite. It would appear that cognitive dissonance has created a wilful denial: in effect a stubborn refusal to have a love for the truth, but rather ‘to believe the lie’. While no one ever says so in as many words, the impression given by some is: “I’ve made my mind up: so don’t trouble me with the facts!”

Syndrome of denial

However, this syndrome of denial was in play back in the days of Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah. At a particular moment Ahab, the King of Israel, sought an alliance with Jehoshaphat in the former’s battle to take the city of Ramoth-Gilead (1 Kings 22:4). As the story unfolds Jehoshaphat suggests that the prophets be first consulted. They were, and they all ‘prophesied’ success.

However, Jehoshaphat wisely called for a second opinion. So, it was much to the displeasure of the King of Israel to reluctantly admit: “There is still one prophet through whom we can enquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad” (v8).

Nevertheless, Micaiah was called, and after a mocking swipe at the false prophets (v15b), he spoke the truth given to him by God (v17). Yet even then Ahab caved in to his fleshly thinking and worldly ambitions; and in spite of Micaiah’s input, went into battle.

Micaiah was called, and after a mocking swipe at the false prophets, he spoke the truth given to him by God

The king’s ruse was to focus the enemy’s attacks on Jehoshaphat, but his scheming came to grief. As we know, in the mayhem of the ensuing conflict, a random arrow found a chink in the king of Israel’s armour and ended his life: thus vindicating Micaiah and confirming the ‘truth’ he received from the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2

Even Christians might be tempted to ignore sections of the Bible, being aware that of the uncomfortable truth that, “These verses jar against my understanding.” This can be evident in matters of prophetic interpretation also. We read in Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica:

 “He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.' (2 Thess 2:10-11)

Now in the context of the passage above, the ‘truth’ referred to will most surely relate to the fundamental Truth to be found in Jesus Christ (Matt 22:16, John 8:31-32). However, could it perhaps be wider than that?

Back in Paul’s day, those believers were concerned about the return of Christ and the apostle sought to advise and reassure the former regarding the dynamic and circumstances around Jesus’ second coming.

Even within the Church today, is there an unwillingness to pay heed to what could be deemed unpalatable scriptures?

Indeed, an Irish bible teacher recently opened up the truth of 2 Thess 2:1-12, which is one of the main passages on this subject. In his address, Keith Malcomson of Limerick City Church countered the notion that the apostasy preceding the return of Jesus (2 Thess 2:3) has been taught to mean a departure of the saints during an invisible return of Christ. The alternative of course is that believers will go through the great tribulation. But this, as in the case of Jehoshaphat, is not ‘good news’; and there would appear to be a reluctance by many to countenance it.

Unpalatable scriptures

So, even within the Church today, is there an unwillingness to pay heed to what could be deemed unpalatable scriptures?  To read only the ‘nice’ verses in God’s word? Jeremiah, the beleaguered prophet observed: “The prophets prophesy falsely; the priests rule on their own authority, and my people love it so.” And he followed through with the challenge: “But what will you do in the end?” (Jer 5:31). A profound question indeed.

Surely it is better to acknowledge the truth  ̶  whether in relation to God’s word or in the world around us  ̶   than to suffer the consequences of believing a lie?

Given that the first eighteen chapters of the book of Revelation precede the final consummation, it is surely time to acknowledge all of these verses – whether palatable or not – in terms of what the prophetic future holds; both in terms of the secular and spiritual events of our age.¹

Little wonder the Bible warns us of the forthcoming antichrist figure “so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” 

Approaching Christ’s return

As we approach Jesus’ glorious return, we are currently living in a world of rampant propaganda on all manner of topics, and with the technological wizardry of ‘deep fake’ − now turbocharged by Artificial Intelligence. Little wonder the Bible warns us of the forthcoming antichrist figure “so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” (Matt 24:24)

Accordingly, it was and is Jesus’ prayer: “Sanctify them in truth; Your word is truth.” We surely need to seek, acknowledge and be prepared to receive the truth at every level; in God’s word, in Christ Jesus, in the world around us and in our thinking within.

Note 1. Dispensational/pre-tribulation rapture doctrine teaches that the Church will be in heaven from Revelation chapter 4 until Jesus’ return, and sees little relevance for the 14 chapters in between.