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We see three choices: demonic influence, the human mind, and divine revelation. The human mind makes up stuff and calls the made-up stuff true. That’s the ungodly-thinking fallacy. And since we’ve seen the human mind can only make up stuff, and demons lie, those aren’t rational choices. On the other hand, God gives us revelation of truth, and we can trust this revelation.

Adam and Eve brought the human race into slavery to Satan by simply choosing to yield to Satan’s influence rather than God’s. And even now, demonic principalities and powers try to influence our minds. You choose between these three authorities offer the same three choices. You choose which one you’ll heed. Will you choose demonic influence, the fallen human mind, or divine revelation?

We’ve looked into the reasons it’s never necessary for anyone who’s following Christ to commit a fallacy, yet we Christians often do commit fallacies. Granted, we must admit we sometimes use the term “following Christ” when we aren’t following Him since we sometimes use the term as a mere figure of speech. In those cases, we follow Christ in theory instead of in practice. So we’re born again, but our attention wanders.

For example, we believe propaganda, something we learned in school, or what we heard on the news. We believe what we heard through a friend, a movie, a book, or a magazine. If we believe it, we become convinced of an ungodly lie. We sometimes follow theological principles instead of listening to Jesus. At these times, we interpret the Bible based on theological worldviews rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the pages of Scripture. In all the examples just given, we aren’t listening to the Holy Spirit’s instruction and direction, and we aren’t thinking, speaking, and acting in submission to the Holy Spirit. Still, if we’ll submit in humble reverence to hear God’s direction when He commands us moment by moment, we have a way forward as God shows us through the following Scriptures.

Teach me both knowledge and appropriate discretion because I believe in your commands. Before I was humbled, I wandered away, but now I observe your words [literally, “I give heed to your utterance”]. ~ Psalm 119:66 International Standard Version

The fear [deep respect] of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. ~ Proverbs 1:7 International Standard Version

Ask God to answer these questions.

1. What is divine revelation?
2. Why can’t we trust the human mind to find truth on its own?
3. What is a fallacy?
4. How do demons try to influence our minds?
5. What does it mean to follow Christ in practice, not just in theory?

Bonus Questions:

1. Why do we sometimes believe lies from things like the news or books?
2. What is the Holy Spirit, and how does He guide us?
3. Why do we need to listen to God moment by moment?
4. What does it mean to have deep respect for the Lord?
5. How can God teach us knowledge and discretion?

SEEKING GOD

audio recording for reflection:

1. Pray for the Lord to protect you and keep you in His presence and His presence only.
2. Direct your mind toward the Lord only.
3. Ask God what He want’s to talk about.
4. You can ask God any questions. In all of this, be led by the Holy Spirit. God promises that He will answer you if you ask Him.
5. Do not edit or change what God says even if you don’t understand it.
6. Reject the lies and receive the truth.
7. Take notes.
8. Transfer your notes to your journal without editing what God said to you.

Diagram Exercise

Notice the diagram of the three authorities for thinking. The three choices are demons, the fallen human mind, or God and His leading, teaching, and correcting. When God leads, teaches, warns, or corrects us, that’s divine revelation. Draw a diagram that would help other people understand that these are the only three authorities we can use as a foundation for our thoughts. Ask God for wisdom so you know what to draw. He knows everything, and He can bring understanding to your mind.

Use paint, markers, pencils, and colored construction paper to make a beautiful diagram that will help other people understand. Then post your creation on social media for everyone to see. Write your explanation of your diagram.