Confirmation Bias

 

Confirmation Bias is the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories. My liberal acquaintances share and “amen” articles, videos, and memes that fit their pre-adopted left-leaning narratives. Conservatives share and “amen” articles, videos, and memes that fit their pre-adopted right-leaning mindset.

It’s so easy to fall into this “confirmation bias” thing. If something sounds true (meaning, it seems to fit what we already believe) we accept it as true without corroborating. It is the widespread epidemic of confirmation bias that has given us the “fake news” problem.

What is the bias of all other biases? That “me” is the center of the universe. That my happiness is what is most important in life and that my preferences ought to be the law of the land. So, whatever fits this bias must be “true.” And whatever does not, is rejected.

Signs that even your Christian life has become hijacked by Confirmation-Bias:

-  When you hear a particularly challenging or convicting sermon, you think mainly of who else it ought to apply to: ”I really hope my spouse/ child/ friend…  is listening right now”, instead of how it might apply personally to you.

- You don’t pray much for God’s forgiveness, but mainly to get His blessings.

-  You constantly rehearse the failings of others in your mind and imagine dialogues with them in which you “put them in their place” and this way you “win.”

Remedy according to the Unbiased Holy Book:

1. Self-examination daily. Our biases are embedded in who we became, they felt “natural.” So we aren’t typically conscious that we’re doing these things. Paul tells Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself” (1 Tim. 4:16).

2. Repent, taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23)

3. Press the gospel reset button daily remembering that Christ’s mercies are new every morning for us (Lament. 3:22-23). This mercy is meant to be shared, not hoarded. How? Loving our unbiased God with all our heart/mind/soul and our biased neighbor as we love ourselves.

 

Shimmering Shimei

 

In his book “Letters from the Mountain”, Ben Palpant writes that he asked his grandfather how he endured all the criticism he received during his years as a big Hospital administrator. The grandpa, a man of faith, relayed the account of David’s interaction with Shimei in 2 Samuel 16.

Shimei was cursing David and literally throwing stones. Abishai, one of David’s warriors, wanted to cut off the cursing drunk’s head. David was, after all, the anointed one of God.

David’s response here is in line with Jesus in Samaria with James and John or with Simon Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane: a call to put away the sword. What’s fascinating, in this case, is ] the reason. David said that maybe Shimei was right in his views of David, so why spend time contradicting him? Moreover, David said - maybe God will use his cursing for good in my life.

That counsel is, of course, easier to read than to carry out, easier to apply in the abstract than in the middle of a situation. But it’s good counsel nonetheless. When people are “pushing our buttons” about our look, our faith, our vaccination status, our eating habits, our family, our church teachings, etc. what should be our response?

The advice seems clear - do not retaliate with the same intent to hurt these people who are bullying us for what we are. But wait a minute here, how are we going to read this Scripture? Proverbs 26:4-5:

    A - v.4 “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

    B - v.5  Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”

Contradiction?

Q 1 - Are you acting more like A or B?  Circle your answer, please =>   A     B

Q 2 - Who/ What is your “Shimei”? Write your answer here: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

 

Apologizing Without Agonizing

 

The Buttons

 

I heard the other day that some of the buttons we have to push don't actually do anything. Like the button to change traffic light so you can walk across the street. Or the one to make an elevator door close faster. 

They put those buttons there so we feel like have some control over our lives, when we actually don't.

We might think we've got everything in hand, but the reality is that it's only an illusion. Here's the thing: we encounter God all over again every time we're desperate enough to realize we're not actually in charge.

Fear and uncertainty launch us toward God, and He's always there to receive us when we arrive.

Q. What are you feeling uncertain about that you can bring to God in prayer? 

Test Test Test

 

The following moral and ethical dilemma type of question was actually used as part of a job application process for a large corporation:

“You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, it’s raining heavily, when suddenly you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for a bus:

   1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die

   2. An old friend who once saved your life

   3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about

Which one would you choose to offer a ride, knowing very well that there could only be one passenger in your car?”

 You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again. Think before you continue reading. What would you do? Who will you choose? How will you solve this problem?

 The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer:

“I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the old lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.” Cool huh? Think outside of the box.

 Now, we are facing the same type of challenge in our daily life. Strangers, acquaintances, friends, family members, charities, institutions… all of these are seeking our help. But we’ve got limited resources and time. What to do? The same thing – choose to ride the “bus” with the partner of your dreams – Jesus. He is going to tell you exactly when and where and to whom you should “give your car keys”.

 Think and act inside of His grace.

Super Superlatives

 

Superlatives should be seldom used. They lose their power when deployed frivolously. We are far too inflationary when we assign epic, awesome, amazing, incredible, or dropping-the-mic with careless frequency. How do we know if something is truly epic, awesome, amazing, incredible, or worthy of a mic drop?

This is a major curse of our age. Semantic inflation.

- everything is breaking-news

- honorary degrees are handed out like cheap candy

- businesses manufacture more five-star rewards to congratulate themselves

- in every sport more teams than ever make the playoffs.

Meaning, in all cases, is diminished.

Back to superlatives. The one word we should worry the most about adding extra-stuff to is Love. Love is the strongest of all words, the ultimate compliment. God is love. And, therefore, to

abuse or

overuse or

misuse

LOVE,

is to “take Love’s Name in vain” (Exodus 20).

 If we love, love, love pumpkin spiced lattes, Instagram posts, and Chicago Navy Pier, what word do we have for our children? When we ”love your presentation” and “love those shoes” and “love the eggplant parmigiana” what word do we use for God?

 Overuse of language, of course, is not the real problem, but underuse of actual love. I’m wondering, however, if a deeply needed restoration of love’s power ought to include disciplined caution and intentionality in its use.

 “I love you”, should, indeed, be the superlative. The absolute.  “For Love so God the world that He gave”…  

The Post Post-Modern Religion

 

 …and the Postmodern Preacher begin preaching and saying, “He nailed it to his cross”.

And then he stops there.

And the Postmodern Preacher says, “You just heard the Word, now you are free from the burden of the law”.

And the Postmodern Christian went home.

 

And then the Postmodern Christian calls his Postmodern Preacher from the jail saying, "Help me Preacher, help me, I'm in jail!"

And the Postmodern Preacher asks, "Why are you in jail?" 

And the Postmodern Christian declares, "I'm a thief, free from the burden of the law as you said, but here." 

And the Postmodern Preacher says, "That's OK, Jesus loves you!" 

And the Postmodern Christians replies, "Thank you Preacher... I feel so much better." 

 

And the Postmodern Christian calls the Preacher again saying: "Hey Preacher, I'm still in jail." 

And the Postmodern Preacher says, "That's OK... you are not under the law, but under grace." 

And the Postmodern Christians replies, "Oh yeah, thank you Preacher... Halleluiah!" 

 

And the Postmodern Christian calls the Preacher a third time saying, "Hey Preacher, I'm still in jail." 

And the Postmodern Preacher declares, "That's OK... you know, there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus."

And the Postmodern Christians replies, "WOW!  Preacher... you are wonderful!  I'm gonna tell all my prison-mates to come to your church."

 

PS. Do you see something wrong about this dialogue? Write your answer here: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________