CONFUSION WHEN CLARIFYING

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Being a speaker or a writer has its moments where an attempt at clarity can result in confusion. The internet dictionary (Dictionary.com) attempts to instruct one’s use of words, especially when writing. Their lesson for the day pertains to how sound-alike words are used. The words are Allusion versus Illusion.  

The explanation given is: “An Allusion is a reference, direct or implied, to something or someone. Allusions are often found in books, songs, TV shows, and movies. For instance, the title of Aldous Huxley’s classic novel Brave New World is allusion to a work by William Shakespeare; the phrase “brave new world” is spoken by Prospero’s daughter, Miranda, in The Tempest: "How beauteous mankind is! O Brave New world, that has such people in it." 

By contrast: “An illusion, on the other hand, is something that deceives the mind or senses by creating a false impression of reality. Illusions are often (though not always) related to visual perception, as in optical illusion. A mirage, such as the phenomenon of perceiving a sea of water in a desert, is a type of illusion.”

To add to the confusion on what word should be used, they add: “Allusion and illusion are both related to the Latin term lūdere meaning ‘to play,’ along with their linguistic cousin delusion. A delusion is a false belief or opinion. In the context of mental health, a delusion can be defined as a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact, as in paranoid delusion.”

Some secular Allusions based upon Biblical instances would be: Someone who is disloyal or been involved in a form of betrayal would be referenced as one being a “Judas”! The obvious reference to Judas is when he becomes part of a mob that is seeking to kill Jesus. “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.  And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, Rabbi! And he kissed him.  And they laid hands on him and seized him.” 

Another allusion is: “Don’t cast your pearls before swine.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:6, Jesus spoke about judging others and used the phrase: Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

When the time for paying taxes arrives, there is the use of the statement uttered by Jesus, “Render unto Caesar.” The context for this Allusion is Mark 12:13-17 when the Pharisees and Herodians were attempting to trap Jesus, He said: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not? But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. And they brought one. And he said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said to him, Caesar’s. Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.”

Jesus used several Illusions in His ministry as well. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is saying to His disciples and followers (Matthew 7:13-18): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Rather than undue concern regarding Allusions versus Illusions, the most important result is to see no one but Jesus only. Consider these things with me!