For today’s lesson I would like to discuss wrong numbers. I hope today’s topic can be of use of youth ministries, family counselors, family devotionals and home evenings.
Most of us have called a wrong number when we are trying to contact someone. There are other ways we can get a wrong number. By going to the wrong source/wrong number we are delayed in getting to the correct source. Or there may be a time that we access a wrong source and believe what we are told without considering the source of the knowledge we gain. Perhaps we should questions the motivations behind a person who may intentionally mislead us.
Getting info from wrong numbers can be illustrated in multiple ways.
First, when I was on a mission, I remember meeting people and some of them started to tell me what I believed in. I was surprised how they could do that when they had just met me. They would then proceed to tell misinformation of things they had heard from others about my religion. Though I would endeavor to correct that info, they did not believe me. Personally, I think I am more qualified to know what I believe in then someone who doesn’t know me. I compare it to going to a Ford dealer to learn the attributes of a Toyota. Can I honestly expect an accurate account from a competitor who wants my business?
I find that I am very vulnerable to mems listed on Facebook. I will see misrepresentations of political figures I follow and watch and I will see words getting put into their mouths. It makes me realize that for politicians that have opposite views than mine may also be having words put into their mouths. It makes me realize that if I want to be an accurate and informed citizen I need to seek out the original source of information. Also, I’ve learned that in the name of politics people are not above intentionally lying. People will also make proclamations on stats and number that are not accurate.
Some feel that the end justifies the means.
Another way we need to be cautious unfortunately is of people who are willing to steal and lie for financial gain. I’ve heard of multiple accounts of people who will scam old people from their retirement income with no conscience. There have been multiple accounts of me hiring someone for labor at my home who say they guarantee their work but when I call them back, they don’t honor their word. This makes me appreciate that when a man or woman gains a reputation for quality work and integrity, I want to rely upon those accounts.
Sometimes people will steal another’s identify for personal gain.
Repeating a lie enough times and it is considered truth. How many times have we heard something over and over again and then believe it because we’ve heard it so often. I remember hearing in history how nifty Thomas Edison was. It is neat all the inventions his lab help develop. But as a person, he did some cruddy things to his competitors, such a Tesla.
I invite each of us to consider what we think is truth that might be a lie. This a good reason to seek God and the scriptures for insight.
Sometimes public pressure can force a wrong number. I remember hearing about an experiment at a University. A test subject was put into a room with seven ‘actors’. They were told to look at 3 various sized lines and report which was one shortest. The seven actors were told to intentionally give a wrong answer. By the time the question was asked of the test subject that person followed the rest in their answer because they didn’t want to stand out. How often have I and others done the same to fold under public pressure?
My invitation is for us to be aware of these vulnerabilities and discuss such possibilities to our students and family. You can provide different scenarios that would be relevant to your situation.
If you have more to contribute to this topic, please feel free to share it in the comment section of this blog.
