Truth 2

Recently Face the Nation ran a special program on AI generated content. The episode was entitled “How to differentiate AI-generated images and videos from real ones.”

The show highlighted YouTube video clips. Some appeared genuine at first glance, but the guest, a technology expert, pointed out several indicators to help viewers detect they were fake. She also gave illustrations of genuine video clips that were not fake.

No One Wants to Be Deceived by Others

It is clear, no one wants to be deceived by others, whether by friends, family members, or coworkers. Even criminals and bad guys hate being deceived by undercover agents who use deceptive practices and false identities to infiltrate their group and gain evidence and information that will be used against them in legal proceedings.  

Sincere

There is some controversy over the meaning of the word sincere (Latin: sine cera). It literally means “without wax” and is thought to have been used by Greek and Roman artisans who made pottery and advertised them as being ‘sine cera” without wax (to hide cracks or blemishes), or authentic and untarnished.  Regardless of how one interprets the word’s origin, today it describes something that is real, genuine, pure, candid with no hidden agenda or scheme.

All Roads Lead to Rome?

You have probably heard the term, “all roads lead to Rome.” It is usually in the context that no matter which route you take, you will end up at your desired destination or conclusion.

Obviously, that does not work, because you will not end up in Los Angeles if you are driving east towards New York or Boston. Of necessity, there are specific roads that lead to precise locations. You must be on the right road, the ‘true’ road, to end up at your desired destination. You must also take the right course of action to achieve certain expected goals in life.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses the seven churches in Asia. One of the churches received a stern rebuke because they were neither cold nor hot. They were lukewarm, and Jesus emphatically stated unless they repented, He would spue them out of His mouth.

14) "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15) "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would wish you were cold or hot. 16) So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 

17)  Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18)  I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 

19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:14-19

God wants us to be real with Him. He wants us to be truthful towards Himself and others (Psalms 51:6; Ephesians 4:15). He hates lies and deception and wants us to learn to be honest, sincere, truthful, faithful, and trustworthy.  

On the contrary, the adversary’s ‘modus operandi’ is founded upon lies and deception (John 8:44; Acts 5:3).  Satan is a liar and puts lies in the mouth of those he uses to deceive others. It can come through educators, news media, “science,” or hosts of other platforms.

Knowing The Truth Will Set You Free

 31) Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  John 8:31-32

Here, Jesus describes the recipe for freedom. When we stop believing the lies of society, culture, or the enemy of our souls, and cling to the truth of God’s word, we can walk in freedom. That means we must reject the false and embrace the truth. This even means rejecting lies about ourselves that say we are no good, misfits, or losers.

Instead we must learn who we are in Christ and identify with Him and His word. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) made in the image of God (Colossians 3:10). We are more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37). We are children of the Most High God (Romans 8:16). We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). We are a royal priesthood and holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). We are citizens of the Kingdom of God and of Christ (Ephesians 2:19.

When we do not have absolutes in our lives we become ‘wishy-washy’ Christians with no backbone and no plumbline of truth to keep us on course. We become like ships without a sail, just going aimlessly through life accepting every wind of doctrine, philosophical view, or media spin (Ephesians 4:14).

We will pick this up again in our next post. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.

James Brown

CST 10/02/2025