I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
— Romans 16:17
On June 18, 1815, the Duke of Wellington led his armies against Napoleon Bonaparte in the Battle of Waterloo. In those days, updates from the battlefield reached England via powerful spotlights relayed on ships across the English Channel. The story goes that dots and dashes brought the dire news, “Wellington defeated.”
Among other consequences, a disastrous panic swept through the military ranks. There was chaos and mourning for the beloved Duke and planning for what would happen next. But eventually the truth reached the island nation that Wellington had in fact won the Battle of Waterloo.
So what happened? No error had been involved in the sending of the message across the channel. The transmission actually said, “Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.” A proper communication had been sent, but fog sweeping in had obliterated all but the first two words, leaving a tragic hiatus.
Very often, it is not the message that’s distorted, but people’s understanding of it. Scripture is clear who God is, but instead of accepting it, many turn a blind eye to the parts they don’t like. They fog their own minds!
If you want to know God, read the Bible honestly, putting your own prejudices and presuppositions behind. That’s how you’ll find real truth!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you cut through all the “fog” in the world today and see who He really is.
Questions for Thought
What are some examples of the “fog” that’s crept into popular thinking about God today?
How can you be sure to think rightly about God and not get caught up in these false messages?