The game “Two Truths and A Lie” comes to mind when reading this chapter. The play of the game is simple – 

1. Make three statements: Think of two true facts about yourself and one believable lie. Try to make the lie and truths sound similar in plausibility to make it more challenging.

2. Say the three statements aloud: State your three sentences to all players. You can say them in any order – one lie followed by two truths, two truths followed by one lie, one truth followed by a lie and then a truth.

3. Let others guess: The other players guess which one of the three statements is the lie. They may discuss as a group, or each player can make their own guess.

4. Reveal the lie: After everyone has guessed, the player who made the statements reveals the lie.

5. Continue playing: The game can continue with a new player taking their turn, or the group can unanimously decide to stop playing.

The real-world simulation we are all a part of is nowhere near this clear and transient. 

“… in the last days difficult times will come… holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NASB)

Regardless of gullibility, no one is spared from the snares of the foremost dominant deceiver, the one whose reign leads all who believe to deny God and His truth, and whose central gameplay is the life source of truth, the true church. Those who have fallen prey to the evil one’s ways, who allow themselves to be blinded by truth-like lies, even after having been revealed the truth, are doomed to a darker end. 

At the other receiving end of Peter’s warnings, what is our chosen gameplay? Do we shudder in fear, stirred up to be vigilant against wicked wiles, diligent in sharpening our swords and minds to fight? Or do we downplay it all, let our guard down, are slack in doubling our defences, look lightly upon the time between now and game over?

Discussion Questions:

• How do you differentiate between true and false prophets?

• What have you done and are still doing to preserve your soul in a world of untruths? List at least one example

• Has God saved you or provided you a way of escape from sin? Share one such experience.