Tables of Deception

Learning to discern which messages, media, and news we let influence our lives.

A Small Moment of Thought

I'm not sure which news tid-bit is weighing on your mind right now - between microplastics in our food to wars that are raging or feel imminent, there are a lot of things that can distract our minds. Whether we are in the middle of a weather catastrophe, political scandal, or health emergency - or are just hearing about it on the news and social media, it's very easy to get overwhelmed and feel fear and dread creeping in.

One reason that anxiety is at an all-time high is because of the high rate of connectivity we have to the rest of the world. Can you imagine what life would have been like during WWII if we had social media and 24-hour news cycles?! Sure, it's possible that the atrocities of the Nazis could have been shut down sooner, but I think just as much misinformation would have circulated as well. And, I guess that anxiety would have been through the roof worldwide.

I'm not championing going back to the technology of the 1940s, but it's wise for us to pause and take inventory of what we are connecting to and feeding our minds with.

When we feel anxious about something or a specific experience leaves us feeling frustrated, we’ll pick up our phone and scroll through social media. It’s like giving a time-out for our brain. In the moment, it feels harmless, allowing ourselves to be distracted for just a few minutes before having to get back to the reality of life. But it isn’t helpful at all. Often, the feelings we have after scrolling are impressions of discontent, inadequacy, and dread. Even if the news feed we looked at wasn’t wrong, there is still enough to get us off track. Take a moment and think back to your last social media scroll. How did you feel afterward? Uplifted and encouraged or discontent and anxious?

Proverbs 23:1–3 says, “When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.”

Be aware of what you put before your eyes, ears, thoughts, and heart. The writer of this proverb paints a grim picture. He doesn’t just encourage you to simply walk away, but instead, he goes as far as to say that you should put a knife to your throat.

He uses this extreme to show how deadly these delicacies of the deceiver are. Because if you are tempted to eat the food of the deceiver, you may as well use the knife on yourself, because if you consume the food being offered, it will kill you anyway.

That’s a drastic measure.

What tables are you choosing to sit down at? What delicacies are you consuming? Are you going with a discerning heart, aware of how these different areas affect your heart and mind? An intentional life is not mindless and swayed by whatever new idea is being fed to the public. An intentional life filters all ideas, thoughts, and ideologies through the lens of scripture. It’s being aware of what tables are safe to sit at and knowing when it’s time to push away from the table and find new company.

A Small Moment of Prayer

Father, many distractions can pull my heart and mind away from You. You have warned me against the deceitful things of this world that may appear pretty and lovely at first glance but, over time, lead to hurt and pain. Give me discernment to know when I am sitting at tables of deception and allowing them to influence my heart. Give me a love for Your truth and a desire to follow hard after it. Amen.

A Small Moment of Intention

How do you know when you need to change what you’re consuming?

Be aware of your thought patterns, your feelings, and your general attitude toward others. If you find yourself more worried or stressed after being on a screen, be intentional with setting limits for yourself. Give yourself an entire day where you step away from engaging online. If your heart is heavy because of what you have heard or read in the news, then use that time to pray for those involved and look for opportunities to help where you can.

We were never meant to carry this heavy load of details.

Disengage from the flow of information and spend time with the people around you. Give yourself ten minutes to talk with God, take slow, deep breaths, and tell Him everything that worries you.

If you're looking for something to do that doesn't involve getting online, try these instead:

1. Craft, Bake, Journal - do something with your hands

2. Invite a friend over for coffee or meet at a local coffee shop

3. Turn on encouraging and uplifting music, pour a cup of hot tea, and don't do anything else until that whole cup is consumed. Focus on the lyrics and hum along to the music.

4. Go outside and take a walk. Take long, deep breaths that fill your belly. Look up at the sky and notice what is going on in the season around you.

Before you go…

I will soon be announcing the book cover and title of my new book that will be released with Moody Publishers in June 2026! I am gathering a list of those who desire to be on the launch team - an opportunity to get early access to the book, updates with the book publishing process, and enter for a chance to win gifts. If you are interested in being a part of this - join the Prayer Team!