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Christian Life Church
February 15, 2026 at 9am & 11am
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:30 AM
THE BOOK OF ACTS FEBRUARY 15, 2026
A COGNITIVE BIAS
SCRIPTURE
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” Acts 6:8-14
The accusations against Stephen were rooted in Jesus’ teachings. But the religious leaders re-interpreted it to their own benefit.
Each group heard the same teachings and come to different conclusions.
Why? Because each group had given in to a willing deception.
THE EVOLUTION OF LIES
In Matthew 24, one of the key markers of the final days is deception.
1/ Divine Doctrine
There is a Truth that transcends all things.
2/ Diluted Doctrine
Then someone at a national level comes along and dilutes this truth.
3/ Deception of Self
Then individuals begin to open their minds to possibilities outside of God’s Word.
In order to justify wrong beliefs, one looks for “evidence” to support their error.
4/ Deception of Masses
After enough individuals are open, propaganda floods politics, socials and conversations.
To entrench the lie, culture changes the language for it to sound reasonable.
5/ Delusion
Then the righteous begin to speak truth. But the masses choose to believe a known lie.
God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.
2 Thessalonians 2:11
6/ Demonic Demonstration
Then the embracing of known lies leads to extreme demonic demonstrations.
7/ Demand
Finally, all of this ends with the demand of societal acceptance.
Most Christians will not be deceived at this level, but many will with “cognitive bias.”
A COGNITIVE BIAS
Cognitive bias is when one looks for evidence to support their pre-determined view.
1/ A cognitive bias can affect marriage.
2/ A cognitive bias can affect children.
3/ A cognitive bias can affect politics.
4/ A cognitive bias can affect the workplace.
5/ A cognitive bias can affect Christian lives.
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer
When cognitive bias takes root, it opens the door for deception.
THE EVICERATION OF LIES
1/ Reject lies.
Be aware of doctrinal lies.
Be sober minded. 1 Peter 5:8
Be honest about cognitive biases.
Strive to be full of the Spirit and full of wisdom, like Stephen!
2/ Receive truth.
Submit yourself to the Scriptures.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
Washed by the cleansing of God’s Word. Ephesians 5:26
“You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.” John 15:13
“Sanctify them by the truth. Your Word is truth.” John 17:17
The sum of Your Word is truth. Psalm 119:160
Submit yourself to the Spirit.
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13
A COGNITIVE BIAS
SCRIPTURE
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” Acts 6:8-14
The accusations against Stephen were rooted in Jesus’ teachings. But the religious leaders re-interpreted it to their own benefit.
Each group heard the same teachings and come to different conclusions.
Why? Because each group had given in to a willing deception.
THE EVOLUTION OF LIES
In Matthew 24, one of the key markers of the final days is deception.
1/ Divine Doctrine
There is a Truth that transcends all things.
2/ Diluted Doctrine
Then someone at a national level comes along and dilutes this truth.
3/ Deception of Self
Then individuals begin to open their minds to possibilities outside of God’s Word.
In order to justify wrong beliefs, one looks for “evidence” to support their error.
4/ Deception of Masses
After enough individuals are open, propaganda floods politics, socials and conversations.
To entrench the lie, culture changes the language for it to sound reasonable.
5/ Delusion
Then the righteous begin to speak truth. But the masses choose to believe a known lie.
God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.
2 Thessalonians 2:11
6/ Demonic Demonstration
Then the embracing of known lies leads to extreme demonic demonstrations.
7/ Demand
Finally, all of this ends with the demand of societal acceptance.
Most Christians will not be deceived at this level, but many will with “cognitive bias.”
A COGNITIVE BIAS
Cognitive bias is when one looks for evidence to support their pre-determined view.
1/ A cognitive bias can affect marriage.
2/ A cognitive bias can affect children.
3/ A cognitive bias can affect politics.
4/ A cognitive bias can affect the workplace.
5/ A cognitive bias can affect Christian lives.
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer
When cognitive bias takes root, it opens the door for deception.
THE EVICERATION OF LIES
1/ Reject lies.
Be aware of doctrinal lies.
Be sober minded. 1 Peter 5:8
Be honest about cognitive biases.
Strive to be full of the Spirit and full of wisdom, like Stephen!
2/ Receive truth.
Submit yourself to the Scriptures.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
Washed by the cleansing of God’s Word. Ephesians 5:26
“You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.” John 15:13
“Sanctify them by the truth. Your Word is truth.” John 17:17
The sum of Your Word is truth. Psalm 119:160
Submit yourself to the Spirit.
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13