Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 2
In Matthew 24 the speaker highlights Jesus’ repeated warning about deception and then says the best way to combat deception is to “be a witness”; how does “being a witness” function as protection from deception in the speaker’s logic, and where would early Christians have located “truth” differently than “thanks to Google”?
Another way to ask: How does “being a witness” help protect someone from being deceived, according to the speaker? Where would early Christians look for truth instead of relying on something like Google?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
In the speaker’s logic, “being a witness” protects against deception because it anchors believers in active gospel faithfulness (not fear or passivity), while “Google” represents a flood of untrustworthy, non-inspired claims—unlike truth grounded in Jesus’ message and repeated teaching.
- In Matthew 24 he notices “deceive” appears “three times,” calling deception in “our era…rampant.”
- He warns, “Google’s not divinely inspired,” yet “you can defend any point you have from that,” implying information overload can disguise deception.
- He highlights Jesus’ instruction: “Be not troubled,” and notes, “Many will wax cold, but we don’t have to…Many may be offended, but we don’t have to.”
- He ties verse 14 to combating deception: when asked “What’s the best way to combat deception?” he affirms, “Be a witness,” and adds “Know the truth.”
- He emphasizes truth is reinforced by faithful repetition: the preacher should say it “over and over and over again” until people realize he “actually means what he’s saying.”