Escapism

The Reality of Escapism by D. J. Love, Minister,TSN, SBC Written 12-1-2001

Escapism has often been praised for its value to humanity. After all, don't family vacations, movies, story books, and other leisure activities help remove us from the stress of our daily lives? Doesn't escaping the stress of our daily lives add to the quality and length of our lives? Actually no! "Escapism" in general does very little good and very much harm. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with that family vacation, but the true danger lies in the paradoxical nature of escapism. Life is a paradox, and if you haven't figured that out yet then maybe you have spent too much time escaping from reality. Quite frankly, "Escapism" destroys more lives, and relationships than it has been praised to have improved.

The Hidden Dangers of Escapism! Escapism robs us of psychological maturity and much wisdom. It is only in dealing with reality that one develops the "Wisdom" that begets "Understanding," and it is "Understanding" that truly makes us mature enough to deal on a long term basis with "Reality." Not just easier for a little while, as with an escape, but for a lifetime. Escapism isn't a cure for our stress or our fears, but is a crutch! Escapism doesn't build good character or quality self-confidence, but facing reality does. Additionally, escapism has a very serious "Side Effect," and that is, like all crutches, it is addictive. And at this point I am only talking about psychological addiction. Most people can easily see the dangers of drug and alcohol induced "Escapism," but few can see the danger in what appears to be harmless little "Self-indulgences." However, the dangers of escapism are a reality. Can you think of an example where psychological "Escapism" has destroyed lives and relationships?

What about broken marriages and family relationships? Once a person has developed a psychological dependency on "Escapism," can alcohol and drug induced "Escapism" be that far behind? So why do we as a society prefer to bury our "Head in the Sand" like an ostrich (or into an alcohol or drug induced stupor), and ignore the realities of life? Of course, most people know what I am referring to is the "I won't grow up" (Peter Pan) form of ignorance and immaturity. Actually, selfinduced ignorance was most likely introduced to each of us (as individuals and as children) by our parents, and teachers. It is an easy thing for children to escape from reality, seeing that they are not that far removed from it. Children have undeveloped brains with very little if any wisdom or understanding. Therefore, it is not difficult at all to go from being born immature to staying immature. So why do we as an adult society reinforce that immaturity as a "Preferred State of Existence" into the impressionable minds of our children? Could it be that we as a society and as a whole suffer from the "Peter Pan Complex?" Could Satan's attitude (Human nature) be the silent motivation behind the high level of emphasis being placed on escaping to an "Imaginary World," where dreams come true? Could it be that Satan (Source of Human nature) knows that once it can get an individual to prefer to live in a "Dream World" that its job of deception is practically assured? Absolutely and most assuredly, Yes! Satan (Source of Human Nature) prefers a willing victim! It is an easy thing to introduce deceptions and demons into those who prefer to be deceived! SO, are fairy tales dangerous? Absolutely! Would I place "Harry Potter" on my list of recommended reading? No!

Now All You Have To Do To Get To This Mystical Place Is Click Your Heels Together, Lay Your Finger On The Side Of Your Nose, And Repeat After Me. "Once Upon A Time In A Land Far Far Away . . ." 2 Timothy 4:3-5 3 For the time will come (and is now here) when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;

4 and will

turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. 5 But you (All True Believers) be sober (Mature) in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.

2 Peter 1:15-17 15 Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure. 16 For we (All True Believers) did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord, Messiah Yahshua, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty (received honor & glory). 17 For he (Yahshua) received from G-d (Yahweh) the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

So Here Is The Basic Fable Exposed! Is Jesus Christ God? No! This is a cunningly devised fable of Traditional or Mystery Christianity! And goes along with the cunningly devised Roman catholic fable of Christ-mass and Easter.

Is Jesus the True Messiah's real name? No! This is another part of a cunningly devised fable! The True Messiah's name is Yahshua (Yeshua or Yahushua), which is Joshua in English.

Is Messiah Yahshua God? No! This is a cunningly devised fable of Greco-Roman origin!

Does Yahweh exist as a "Trinity" or as "God the Father and God the Son?" Absolutely Not! And This Is The Basic Reality! Is Jesus Christ the image of the Anti-Messiah? Yes! But if you bury your head in the sand and prefer to believe in fables, you will never escape your make believe world and come to the mature knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that can lead one to worship Yahweh "In Spirit and in Truth!"

Is Messiah Yahshua the First Human Being to Receive Eternal Life as The Eldest Son of God Among Many to Come? Absolutely! He is "The First" of "The First Fruits," and "The First" to be "Appointed" as a "Son of Yahweh."

John 4:22-24 22 You worship that which you don't know (a fable). We (True Worshippers) worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews (not Roman catholics or Greek gentiles). 23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Job 28:28 28 To man he said, "Behold, the fear of the LORD (Yahweh), that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding."

Psalms 111:10 10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you; 2 So as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart (inner self or mind) to understanding; 3 Yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: 5 Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh (wisdom), and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 4:4-9 4 ...."Let your heart retain my words.

Keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. 6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. 9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. A crown of splendor will she deliver to you."

How can anyone get "Wisdom" and "Understanding" if they prefer to escape from reality? They cannot! For your childrens' sake, allow them to grow up with the reality of Yahweh in their hearts! Teach them to worship Yahweh in Spirit and in Truth! Forget Santa Claus, Harry Potter, Easter & Xmas!

Little Children, beware of Evil Masquerading as Good!