The  Christian Confirmation Bias

The most hotly debated topic in churches and Christian circles these days is a discussion on if COVID and its vaccine is part of a larger battle between good and evil. The basic discussion goes like this; “has this disease been unleashed in the world as part of Satan’s larger work to seize power and fight good and is the vaccine simply a way to gain more influence, or is that is just all a horrible coincidence that we’re facing.

To have this discussion, it’s important to under and the concept of “Confirmation Bias”. Confirmation bias, in simple terms, says that we look for information, and interpret Information  that confirms what we already believe about the world.  Therefore two different people can see the same information, yet feel very differently about it because of what they already believed to be true.

Since Christians already see the world as a battlefield of Good vs Evil, it’s very easy for us to interpret something like COVID with this lens.  If a big awful thing is happening, it must be because of forces of evil.  Whereas a person with no faith might conclude that it’s simply more of a horrible accident that this disease was unleashed.

But this is why the Christian response to the last year is so fractured.  If you believe that Satan is indeed behind this, than any government restriction of liberties and certainly a vaccine that has be hastily released to the entire world brings reason to fight back.  Since this is the work of evil, many feel that it is our duty as people of faith to fight back the forces of evil.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Cor 10:4)

But not everyone of faith agrees.  Many devoted followers of Jesus, who recognize that part of what we experience stems from a battle of good vs evil,  see COVID as something very different. Many would argue that Our civil compliance and participation in getting the vaccine is part of our social responsibility in demonstrating what love in action looks like.  We are called to pray for our leaders and live in peace wherever possible are we not?

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:1-2‬ ‭

So that’s what makes this a tricky situation for all people of faith.  You can make equal and opposite arguments that seem Biblical and face off against each other.  

A few things to keep in mind when making a decision for yourself:

The battle between Good and Evil has already been fought and decided.

Spoiler alert: Good already won. Jesus death and resurrection was the scene where this battle was fought, and his promised return is when we will get to celebrate the spoils of victory which includes life eternal in perfection. The good and evil we experience day to day is merely a shadow of what already happened and the victory is already sealed.

The battle of Good and Evil is a spiritual one, not a physical one

Jesus taught us to pray that we’d experience God’s kingdom on earth, but also reminded us that in this world we’d have trouble.  We should never be shocked when the kingdom of earth doesn’t yet reflect the kingdom of heaven. The result of sin and Genesis 3 is that all living things will break down and die.  Even when Jesus brought back Lazarus from the dead, he still does again later.  Eternal life is for the next life, not this one.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬)

Make the COVID & vaccination a health decision, not a spiritual one

If we truly believe that this fight is over, then our fear over mistakenly slipping onto the wrong side because of a health decision should subside. You won’t be failing the kingdom of God based on your beliefs and health practices in a pandemic.  Jesus reassured us that it’s not what we put into our bodies that makes us holy, but what God has already done in us.

“It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Each of us needs to have the space to decide for ourselves if we want to use a vaccine that hasn’t had the chance to be tested over years and how they manage their feelings and habits around COVID. There are arguments on both sides and debates rarely make a person change their opinion. This article after all is about the confirmation bias. No one should feel like there is only one decision a follower of Jesus “should” make in this hard to navigate season. 

But what is critical is to keep the issue in its proper context, as a deciding about personal health practices, and our individual perspective on democratic freedoms rather muddying our perspective with a battle Jesus already took care of.

Trust God and remind yourself that He is still in control.

Live with grace and love others well, regardless in they see the world they way you do

Rick