A shorter version of this article is on my other site, in that the subject has essentially filled, or captured, my entire week. The ability of people to manipulate others, individually or en masse, is mind-boggling. It also begs for each person to have their own discernment, because even when Prov 18:17 is applied (first seems right until second is told), truth can be hard to find.

Nuance is a big word these days, as there are several matters that aren’t as polar as their marketers want it to appear. How one defines the words being used is part of that. In a “would you rather” form of survey, one set of options was color vs order. My mind went directly to graffitti vs Orwell’s 1984 in black and white, and a simple question became a conundrum. I wish for both color and order, but I wouldn’t trade either of them for total chaos or lack of personal freedom. It was one of several questions for which my answer was middle of the road. I’d go for order over color, but not if it entails the loss of freedom. Nuance, or at least definitions, required.

But in today’s society and media, nuance is hard to come by. Go ahead, I dare you… take any news article, with the possible exception of weather, and look for, and at, different perspectives. Here’s one I got this week – the kidnapping of many girls from a school in Nigeria some years ago. Apparently there were also many boys in the same place attacked by the same group. They weren’t kidnapped, they were burned to death. We weren’t abundantly informed about that aspect, nor do I recall an international outcry against the murders. Granted, there’s not much one can do from a different continent, after the fact, and with one’s own life issues to juggle; but it certainly has an impact on talking points over coffee.

At the same time, there are places for absolutes, and the answer to “What’s your stance on Jesus?” is one of them. One answer will give you a positive eternity and both the reason and resource to live now. Any other answer negates all of these. But Jesus must be recognized and accepted for who He is, how He’s defined in scripture and by His true friends. We’ve reached a timeframe, or perhaps we’ve been in it since before the cross, when people will introduce some other version of Jesus. One version is all color, fluffy and accepting of any graffitti folks want to create. Another version is all order, rules and declarations of people.

One example comes to mind, His adversaries thought they had Him trapped between a rock and a hard place. They asked about money, figuring He’d get in trouble with the crowd for suggesting they should pay Caesar, and with the government for suggesting they should not. Jesus answered with a third option, give to Caesar what’s his and to God what’s God’s. Not only does this address life’s multi-dimensionality, it hints that we owe more than finances. Respect, time, effort, integrity – these should be given in our worship as well as our citizenship. Scripture reveals that God is more nuanced than many give Him credit for.

Some of those who speak of Him have good intent, and some do not. This week’s viewing included quite a bit of “not.” Cults and conniving would be the best way to sum it up. One contributor boiled it all down to lack of accountability in leadership, allowing for the egregious to continue unchecked. On the other side, there’s the matter of a person defamed and silenced by a group of people using similar tactics. In either case, the adherents bear some responsibility for not employing their own capacity for logic and examination of evidence and source documentation. For example, a reading of scripture would quickly shut down those who insist their efforts can hasten or delay the return of Christ. Then there’s the more prevalent lie that the leader(s) should have sway in, ahem, sleeping arrangements. But in all of these cases, truth as expressed in scripture was adjusted by the efforts of the people involved, and rational thought was disallowed. Followers either couldn’t or wouldn’t study scriptures for themselves and/or address the incongruities they saw around them. The results were theft, murder, and destruction – or to put it more KJV, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

Another contributor pointed out how often we’re warned in scripture about the deceit of humans – both perpetrating it and being gullible enough to follow along. “Wolves in sheeps’ clothing” is a frequent metaphor, joined by the many times Jesus spoke of how we are like sheep, defenseless and easily overcome without a shepherd. He also calls us to become shepherds, underlings of His who learn from Him how to guide others to Him and ward off the wolves.

We lead others to Him, because He alone is strong enough to be all they need and overcome various temptations and accusations. Mortal humanity doesn’t have a chance of handling either of these. I’m not the only one who has tried and failed on both counts. I must remind myself that the people I love already have a savior, and He’s not me. Supply, wisdom, comfort, companionship – Jesus offers all of these and more. Since He’s God and the Holy Spirit now works among us worldwide, He can deliver. Sometimes, He does that by prompting others to step in with the provisions or human accountability we need. Most people won’t steal if they know the shop owner is watching, or if they’ll have to explain to a friend where the item came from. Yet, it’s also said that locks only keep honest people out. If you’re not interested in a life of integrity, accountability won’t help you – but it may protect shop owners from losing their products.

Don’t think that every reference to human deceit is in the new testament, either. The old testament speaks of the responsibility of leaders to lead well, and the accountability of those who dare to claim they speak for God. Some did, and some most certainly did not. (see Deut 13:1-5) A complete read will also give you a peek into the cultish and conniving mentality that some had. I must say, I appreciate Jordan Peterson’s analysis, as he highlights how the character traits we see there are still alive and well. As stated in Ecclesiastes 1:9, there is nothing new.

My appreciation of Peterson is also nuanced. I have the capacity to listen to the logic and perspectives presented, and still compare it to my own reading of the source documents, in this case scripture. Essentially, the idea that God exists as documented terrifies him, because he takes the writings seriously and recognizes how much he, and we, fall short. I admit I’m shamed by my casual regard for God and scripture in light of this man’s words. Yet he draws back from a simple Cain and Abel murder narrative to see how we all seek to compete for attention and higher placement in the eyes of the honored, sometimes to murderous degrees. Go ahead, look him up and give a listen, your brain might thank you. Meanwhile, he’s one celebrity I sincerely pray gets his stance on Jesus right, because to see someone so close and yet so far is heartbreaking. (see Mark 12:28-34)

Scripture also warns us that as human time winds down, the prevalence and success of the deceiver’s tactics will increase. Some will be so skilled that even the elect might be deceived. (Matt 24:23-25, Mark 13:21-23) We’re there, folks, and whether Jesus comes back today or in another hundred years, wolves abound. Our only defense is Jesus, scripture, and the rational capacity He gave us. Be careful who you pay attention to, and one clue will be their use of nuance.