Illusions

Mike Hosey, Elder

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Psychologists have noticed that people have an inclination to believe they have a fair amount of control over things that they clearly do not.  

They call this belief "the illusion of control."

In addition to clinical observations, the concept is well established by experiments. There are even a number of decent theories to explain it.

It's probably easiest to understand this illusion from the perspective of a problem gambler.  Because the gambler holds the dice in his hands, and because he throws the dice, he thinks he plays a part in the success of his dice roll. In fact, his amount of control approaches zero. Yet, each random win strengthens the illusion.

We may not be gamblers, but just like him, we think we have more control than we do.

For instance, those things that we have solid control over, like whether we choose to get out of bed or not, or whether or not we choose to give our all at work, or whether or not we choose McDonald's over Burger King, are often dependent on unpredictable events -- for which we have absolutely no control.

This isn't unbiblical -- the concept is found throughout the Bible.  In truth, God is in control. Not us.

Proverbs 16 addresses this illusion at least three times.  Proverbs 16:1 NIV teaches us that the plans of the heart belong to man, but that the proper answer comes from the Lord.  In Proverbs 16:9 we are taught that the heart of a man plans his ways, but that it's God who establishes his steps. And Proverbs 16:33 teaches that we may flip a coin, but it's God who determines the outcome!

This may seem scary - as if we are robots. It needn't be.  We have choices. We can choose to roll the dice and do those things God tells us to do. And we can choose to believe God when he says that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Such choices liberate us from an illusion, and enable us to do God's work.