There’s a fine line between perception and delusion.
One definition of perception is: “the way you think about or understand someone or something.”
Delusion, on the other hand, is: “a belief that is not true : a false idea.”
What happens when a person perceives something as truth, and ignores every ounce of evidence which indicates otherwise?
Maybe nothing at first.
But if the untruths are continually reinforced in one’s mind with other tidbits of information (though the thoughts and understandings are “real”), the perception becomes a delusion.
Which, by the way, is nothing more than a mental prison. A prison, a stronghold, that will not allow visitors without careful screening.
Delusional folks mean well. Of course in their minds, they are correct in all of their assessments, and in every detail. Their memory has been infected with a virus, allowing them to remember only certain things, and only from a certain slant or bias.
The delusional cannot be talked out of their belief, nor will they yield an inch when confronted.
There is only one way to deal with such people. Pray that the stronghold of delusion be destroyed by the power and word of God.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV)
Delusional strongholds destroy one’s true peace, and relationships with others.
Delusional strongholds hold people at arms length from the truth; the truth which would set them free. They may have glimpses of the truth, but because they’re comfortable and feel safe within the confines of their own reasoning, they won’t venture out or let others in.
Hell is filled with the deluded.
Protecting oneself from potential delusion is really basic.
1. Understand no one can know everything.
2. Seeing isn’t necessarily believing.
3. Just because you think it doesn’t make it so.
4. Though you don’t remember something, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
5. Gather ALL the evidence before locking your mind down on a certain belief.
6. Realize truth may be revealed in increments.
7. God alone is the Author of truth. If something appears one way, but God’s word shows it a different way, believe God’s truth.
Everyone has perceptions. Be careful what you do with yours.
Jan Grace 