Cognitive Dissonance
According to verywellmind.com, cognitive dissonance is, “the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes.” To avoid this discomfort, we tend to reject new information, avoid people and environments where this new information will confront us, or explain away any new information that conflicts with our existing ethos. Furthermore, we tend to welcome new information, gravitate toward people and environments that support our beliefs, values, and attitudes and embrace new information that reinforces our existing ethos.
In his book, “Them,” former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, writes, “[we build forts] of comfortable information around us, making it more and more difficult for anything we don’t want to hear to penetrate.”
This default, running like an operating system within, makes change hard. In fact, it has been said that we only change when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.
Scripture
There are many in the Bible that felt the pain of change and chose to stay the same. Let’s look at one.
Acts 24:22-26
Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
Points to Ponder
· Apparently, Felix experienced some cognitive dissonance as he responds rather abruptly and excuses Paul. What is our response often when we are afraid of new information? “That’s enough for now!” Being well acquainted with the way, as Felix was, is not enough to be changed. Knowing the way and walking in the way are two different things.
· When presented with truth, how do we as true followers of the Way, navigate cognitive dissonance so as to conform to the image of Christ? I believe James 1:19-21 provides some practical direction for us. May we be quicker to listen, slower to articulate our view, and slower to simply react emotionally. May we get rid of the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in us!
· Felix sent Paul away stating that he would call for him again when it was more convenient. In the two remaining years of his governorship, he sent for Paul many times but only for selfish gain - to receive a bribe from Paul. He grew no closer to humbling himself to the truth of the way. We can surmise that Felix grew apathetic and even antagonistic to the truth as he left Paul in prison at the end of his governorship as a favor to the Jews (Acts 24:27). Felix was seeking convenience in accepting the truth; however, truth that convicts us of the need for change is not one of convenience.
41 Cents Application
Each day, take out a coin and ask the Holy Spirit to highlight an area where you have held a limiting belief, value, or attitude that he wants to confront. Once you are aware of that, confess that. Confess means to say the same thing as God says about it. Transfer a coin. Ask the Holy Spirit what the truth is about that area. Once you are aware of that, acknowledge God and thank him for his revelation to you. Transfer another coin. Now, watch for two times today to walk out that new understanding. Each time you do, transfer a coin. By the end of the week, you will have allowed the Holy Spirit to challenge seven areas, not allowing cognitive dissonance to rob you of growth in Christ!
Prayer
Father, thank you that there is not any cognitive dissonance with you. You are not double-minded like we are at times. We confess that there are times that we avoid truth that challenges us to change. That changes this week. We will embrace your truth. We humbly accept the word planted in us which is saving us. In the name of Jesus, who did not seek convenience in fulfilling the will of the father, AMEN!