Whack-a-Mole Lies: Striking Back with Biblical Truth

One doesn’t have to go far to see the divisiveness in our culture today. If we disagree on anything, you can often end up engaged in a battle that quickly gets twisted and hurtful. It can feel like playing whack-a-mole with lies embedded in conversation—every time you correct one, another pops up. Before you know it, the discussion is off track, and you’re wondering how you got there. Ever been in that spot?

As Christians, we need to be intentional about how we communicate in today’s world. Misunderstandings, redefined terms, and defensive postures can easily become barriers to the Gospel if we’re not careful. So how can we engage in conversations with truth and grace, rather than frustration or pride? Here are two strategies I’ve found helpful.

1. Define the Terms

It is essential to be intentional in clarifying what someone means by a word or phrase. Even within Christianity, there’s shocking disagreement on basic truths—like who Jesus is and what He actually did.

A good example of this is the New Thought Movement. People in this movement may claim to be Christian and followers of Jesus, but their core beliefs are not biblical. Many teach that thoughts can shape reality through manifestation and affirmations. God, in their view, is not a personal savior but more like a universal force. Spirituality becomes self-focused with phrases like “I am divine” or “I create my own reality.” It sounds spiritual, but it distorts who God is and elevates self above Him.

* Melissa Dougherty wrote a book on this called Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World.

This is why asking questions is so critical. A simple, genuine question like “What did you mean by that?” can open up space for clarity rather than conflict. Greg Koukl’s book Tactics is a fantastic resource that shows how gentle questions can uncover assumptions, clear up definitions, and keep a conversation from spiraling into endless whack-a-mole.

2. Do Not Be a Barrier to Christianity

You’ve probably heard someone call a Christian a hypocrite or seen someone claim faith but live in a way that completely contradicts it. Their disappointment in who that particular person is or experience turns them away from God. You can either be a barrier or a bridge. Your words, tone, and actions matter. Sometimes we get so caught up in being right or conveying our point, we actually end up pushing people away.

So, ask yourself this: “Am I more concerned about me being right or showing who God is?” Personally, I’d love it if it were both, because who doesn’t want to be right? However, I don’t want to be ‘right’ and push someone away from God. It’s quite simple: is what you’re doing or saying pointing to God or away from God? Intentionally or unintentionally, we need to keep ourselves in check and let the Gospel be center stage.

The key? It’s not complicated, but it takes daily practice:

1.     God is the authority, not you. Seek Him first in all conversations and conflicts.

2.     Balance truth with compassion. Share who God is without competitiveness. Stand firm and let God do the work of changing hearts.

3.     Walk with humility. None of us are fully sanctified. Daily repentance, dependence on God’s mercy, and sensitivity to the Spirit keep us grounded.

4.     Be honest about your life. God wastes nothing. Share how He’s worked in your struggles and shortcomings, not just your successes. People relate to authenticity.

5.     Keep pride in check. If you don’t know something, admit it. Purity of motive matters more than “winning” an argument.

6.     Put others first. Sometimes your posture toward someone speaks louder than your words. If it feels like they’re not listening, maybe it’s time to listen more yourself, build the relationship, and wait for the right moment.

Here’s the bigger picture: we’re not called to smash down every lie like a frantic whack-a-mole game. We’re called to reflect Christ by being truth-bearers with compassion, humility, and wisdom. The goal is not to “win” conversations but to remove barriers that keep people from seeing Jesus clearly.

In a culture swirling with redefined terms, half-truths, and spiritual counterfeits, let’s be Christians who speak carefully, love deeply, and point consistently to the One who is Truth itself.

References
Dougherty, M. (2025). Happy Lies: How a movement you (probably) never heard of shaped our self-obsessed world. Zondervan. 

Koukl, G. (2009). Tactics: A game plan for discussing your Christian convictions. Zondervan.