Lie Detectors

A little known poem written in the 1920’s by Dr. Zhivago author, Boris Pasternak, describes the power of Bolshevik revolutionary and ruthless dictator Vladimir Lenin in a striking stanza. In this poem, “Lofty Melody,” Pasternak emphasizes the connection between Lenin’s comprehensive political power and his propaganda prowess. Writes Pasternak, “He ruled the flow of thought, and that is why he ruled the land.”

Pasternak understood that the prelude to controlling people’s lives was controlling their minds. And as the decline of Western civilization continues its dramatic course, it is critical that you and I take the challenge that Pasternak’s observation implies. After all, ours is an age when the erroneous inventions of Darwin, Freud, and Marx still dominate the academic world – an age when the terms and demographics used in the public debate over abortion are provided by the abortionists themselves – an age when the lies of the devil are the primary themes of our culture’s music and movies and television programming. These godless sources clearly have ruled the flow of thought in our era, thus creating the most horrendous flow of action, including waves of unimaginable violence, sexual perversion, and open defiance of Almighty God.

The propaganda of evil is all around us, and it is anything but neutral to us and our families. Jesus explained to us that Satan himself is the father of lies but he is also a creature committed to fierce action. He was and is a murderer and a blasphemer, but his scheme also involves recruiting human beings into cooperating with his goals. So he tells us lies and proceeds to convince us of their importance. He uses various voices: perhaps a newspaper or magazine article, a film, a television program, humanistic educational curricula, the allure of cocaine highs or quick winnings at the casino, false preachers, worldly traditions, the weakness of the flesh, and even a seared conscience. Through such vehicles, the devil does indeed seek to rule the flow of thought because he well knows that it is the way to control the flow of events.

The psalmist tells us that those who speak lies go astray. The deception of the mind leads to “actualized” sin. Stressing the same truth, the Lord tells us that as a man thinks, so will he act. As Dr. Francis Schaeffer repeatedly emphasized, “Ideas have consequences.” No more crucial does Dr. Schaeffer’s remark relate to you and I than in the matter of believing lies. Now this isn’t normally a topic for polite society -- the word “liar” is considered too stern, too moralistic, too judgmental for social use. No, being a “lie detector” isn’t going to make you popular nowadays. Nevertheless, those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior have an unmistakable calling which requires them to perform that very function. Detecting the lies that confront us throughout the day, then refusing their power, indeed, refuting their false claims – this is exactly what being a “light of the world” involves.

I fear for the state of the modern Church. And it is not simply because of the various scandals caused by a few television preachers, but rather because of the frequency with which everyday Christians succumb to worldliness, forfeiting their rich intellectual heritage for the “propaganda porridge” doled out by the devil’s minions. Is it any wonder then that believers, “unsalty” and begrimed with the spirit of the age, have lost their power to impact the events around them? Of course not. Rather than acting as sojourners in this foreign country of the world, we’ve settled in and become quite comfortable. Rather than the transformation into the image of Christ Jesus which is available to us, we have chosen to be poured into the molds made by advertisers, politicians, secular educators, entertainment moguls, and preachers who deny the necessity of both holy living and sacrificial service in behalf of others. It has been a tragic (and ugly) sell-out.

Is there a way back? Certainly. And it begins with the simple refrain, “Out with the bad and in with the good!” Or, put another way, less of the world and more of the Word. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the mature Christian is one who has by practice had his senses trained to discern good and evil. That is a comforting thought as well as a challenge. For despite the enveloping cloud of lies in our era, the Holy Spirit reminds us that the obedient Christian can overcome evil with good. We not only escape from the tyranny of lies ourselves, we can even beat them back as they try to claim new victims.

But, it doesn’t come easy, of course. The most difficult reclining chairs to get out of are the ones that feel so good to be in! You have to begin and maintain a diligent student of the Bible. And you must strive for holiness, being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. Finally, you have to engage the power of the Holy Spirit as you bring His light to bear upon everything you encounter. If you let down your guard, believe me, you’re easy prey for the father of lies. He’ll fool you and exploit you whenever you trust in the voices around you rather than diligently following the voice of the Good Shepherd.

By wisdom a house is built
And by understanding it is established.
And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is strong
And a man of knowledge increases power.
For by wise guidance you will wage war,
And in abundance of counselors there is victory.
(Proverbs 24:3-6)

The above passage from Proverbs presents a dramatic contrast to Vladimir Lenin’s ambition to rule over men by dominating the world of ideas. For the wise man, as the Bible explains, is one who influences the world of action through truth and thus guides men towards spiritual freedom, justice, moral purity, and serenity of soul. Lenin’s world was oppressive, decadent and full of violence. He was a demented man whose regime is now repudiated throughout the world. And, tragically, he died with the weight of his sins upon him.

But the wise man is rich in the knowledge of God and will experience the “forever victory” of heaven. He is one who is given God’s bountiful mercy to overcome the lies (and the liars) of the world. He then helps others to do the same. Thus is God’s way the path of light, liberty and power to walk in God’s wonderful righteousness.