Have you ever heard someone say that God is in everything? That expression always gives me pause. What do they really mean by that?
Doublespeak is commonplace today. So many things that we used to think that we knew what they meant no longer mean what we thought. Do you know what it means to say that God is in everything?
Doublespeak is when folks say one thing and mean another. Some folks intentionally use doublespeak to confuse people or to hide what they believe. Today, many religious phrases or expressions have developed more than one meaning. Doublespeak is creeping into Christianity.
When some folks say that God is in everything, they don’t mean that God has His hand on everything, and that He is in control of everything. They are also not trying to say that God is everywhere or omnipresent.
Instead – intentional or not – they are redefining God. Scripture teaches that there is one God. He is separate from nature, and He created everything.
What they are saying is akin to panentheism. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy says, “Panentheism understands God and the world to be inter-related with the world being in God and God being in the world.” That is the same as saying that God is in everything and everything is in God. Also note the similarity to pantheism. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy broadly defines pantheism as (emphasis mine) “God is everything and everything is God.”
Today we need to be more cautious about what we repeat. When repeated often enough folks will come to believe what is actually being said – not necessarily what is meant. Dual meanings and doublespeak will spread.
Think about doublespeak and then think about these verses:
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1:7Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:18
We all are prone to think of the antichrist of end times. Don’t let your guard down. Little antichrists are all around. Scripture tells us that there are many. Satan is a master of mixing up words and thoughts. Remember, he deceived Eve. He will deceive you too if he gets a chance.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Listen carefully and challenge new expressions you hear. Immerse yourself in the Word, and pray. God will help you stay on track.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to not be fooled by doublespeak, and to not be deceived by antichrists. Scripture tells us that they are already in the world. Be aware that the person speaking may or may not be aware of what they are really saying. It’s important to weed out the counterfeit beliefs. It’s important to keep Christianity what it was meant to be. When you hear doublespeak, take time to find out what the other person really means to be saying. Help them understand the reality of doublespeak and the effect it has on Christianity today.