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As Real As It Seemed Once again I stand amazed at the wonder of His Ways. Responding to an unexpected prompting, I viewed A Beautiful Mind, the film version of the life of John Forbes Nash, Jr. Despite a lifetime battle with schizophrenia, Nash won the 1994 Nobel Prize in economics. In one sense, he had to dig through the dirt to find the gold. Jolted by the realization of how much of Nash’s life was mere illusion, I found the phrase “as real as it seemed” echoing in my mind and spirit, as did a phrase from 2 Corinthians 10:5: “Casting down imaginations” {KJV}. How much of what we accept as truth is in fact a delusion, a distortion or an abortion of truth? For me, the most poignant scene involved the appearance of a representative wishing to discuss Nash’s acceptance of the Nobel Prize. Both he and Nash were standing outside a classroom as the students dismissed. Aware that his own perception of truth was unreliable, Nash asked a female student for confirmation of the man’s reality. Through her, Nash was assured that the man was not one of his illusions. As I discussed the film with a friend a few days later, he paralleled the girl’s role to that of the Holy Spirit Who stands at the door, ready to be consulted when we are in doubt as to what is truth and what is deception. Given that comparison, I understood why the scene had so touched me. Like Nash, we must humble ourselves, admitting our own inability to discern reality from illusion, truth from fiction; for the carnal man is unable to discern things of the spirit. The student’s confirmation of truth allowed Nash to continue his walk toward freedom and fulfillment. In seeking truth, we, too, are forced to admit that many of our own perceptions, interpretations, beliefs and judgments are skewed. Operating from the carnal nature, we have believed a lie. The illusions were not real, but casting them down thrusts us into a fight of faith. We may, in fact, react with initial anger that we have been duped. We accuse ourselves: “How could I have believed such a lie!” Unless we then apply to ourselves the same forgiveness and grace we find when we repent to the Lord, we bind ourselves with the same chains from which He has freed us. Confronted with truth, we must choose. To what will we cling? Which will we renounce? Will we hold to the comfort and familiarity of believing a lie? Or will we embrace truth, refusing to let it go no matter how subtle the temptations or how tempestuous the compulsion to do otherwise? Only as we accept truth are we set free, and only as we cling to truth are we kept free. Line upon line the Lord reveals the shackles of lies; and fetter-by-fetter He enables us to walk free, into newness of life — if we so desire. As I reflected on the movie a few days later, the Lord gave me a song, the words of which are simple, yet freeing, a type of balm after the realization, admission and repentance that we have indeed believed a lie. As Real As It Seemed As real as
it seemed – Like Nash, we may have to admit that we have unintentionally succumbed to believing a lie (we knew not the truth). Predictably, however, being able to discern the difference between truth and illusion did not exempt Nash, nor does it us, from repeated confrontations and temptations requiring that we constantly renounce that which is false. Even on the night he received the Nobel Prize, Nash “saw” the illusionary figures; but instead of forfeiting the freedom of walking in truth, he turned away from them, walking instead into the arms of love and acceptance which had sustained him throughout his years of struggle.Further revelation came as I meditated on how we are to deal with the myriad of lies surrounding and seeking to invade our minds. For each battle, no matter how small or how intense, I believe there is a specific weapon. A cannon is not the appropriate weapon for destroying a mouse. Indeed, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; and we need the Holy Spirit’s direction as to which weapon(s) will result in victory. He may direct us to use the Word of God (quoting a specific Scripture under the anointing of the Holy Spirit), claim the Blood of Jesus, pray in the Spirit, or join with others in united prayer and fasting. As our Commander, He specifies which weapons to use, as well as when and how to use them. As I considered our spiritual weapons, I was reminded that in learning firearm use, police-in-training are tested with moving “figures,” “shadows of the real,” which appear out of nowhere and then disappear for a season. Throughout the exercise, these forms remain under the control of the one in charge. At any point, he can end the test, but to do so would deprive the trainees of essential preparation. Speed and accuracy in shooting the figures equip the trainees for real-life confrontations. We, too, are in training until we are so conformed to Christ’s image that His eyes, like fire, shine through ours. Then we will but direct our gaze toward the false, and Satan's deceptions will disintegrate by the righteous judgment radiating from our eyes. -Ruth French March Newsletter 2002 | Good & Evil part 2 of 2 | Pursuing God Pastor's Journal March 2001 | Roots of Revival part 1 | As Real As It Seemed |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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