When you need relief,
When you’re desperate for a cure—
You’ll believe the spokesman,
Who tells you: ‘Don’t give up on hope’;
For that’s the only message,
You really wanted to hear.

Because you desire a miracle,
And if not,
You’d have to settle,
For something or anything else,
That promises to take that despair—
Far, far away, from you.

But does it really?
Because if it doesn’t,
There’s only one other way out,
And that’s for you to go to another place,
Where pain supposedly doesn’t exist.
Unless, you brought it along with you?

What Do Con Artists and Religious Leaders Have in Common?

The Psychology of Con Artists, and How to Avoid Them

Prompt: The smooth talker doesn’t really have a fix for your dilemma—when he asks: ‘Do you believe?’. What he’s really saying, is that only you can help yourself. But, for that worthless piece of advice, he will charge you dearly—whether it’s your money, integrity or soul. He will deceive you into believing, that you’re getting your money’s worth, by offering trinkets and motivational talks disguised as sermons. In the end, you will only be manipulated and exploited, because that’s all he was aiming to do, from the outset.

Spanish Translation

Cuando necesitas alivio,
Cuando estás desesperado por un remedio—
Creerás al portavoz,
Que te dice: ‘No renuncies a la esperanza’;
Porque ese es el único mensaje,
Que realmente querías escuchar.

Porque deseas un milagro,
y si no,
Tendras que conformarte,
Por algo o cualquier cosa,
Que promete alejar esa desesperación—
Muy lejos, de ti.

¿Pero, realmente lo hará?
Porque si no lo hace,
Sólo hay una otra salida,
Y eso es que vayas a otro lugar,
Donde supuestamente el dolor no existe.
¿A menos que, lo hayas traído contigo?

Por: ElRoyPoet © 2020

Comentario: El predicador no tiene una solución para tu problema—cuando te pregunta: ‘¿Crees?‘. Lo que realmente está diciendo es que solo tú puedes ayudarte a ti mismo. Pero, por ese consejo inútil, él te cobrará muy caro, ya sea tu dinero, tu integridad o tu alma. Te engañará haciéndote creer, que estás recibiendo el valor por tu dinero, ofreciendo baratijas y charlas motivacionales disfrazadas como sermones. Al final, sólo serás manipulado y explotado, porque eso era todo lo que quería hacer, desde el principio.

“Because people are gullible. Because people are easily influenced when you dangle materialism in their faces. Because people are unlearned. The Bible says in ‘II Timothy 2:15 that we are to study to shew ourselves approved so we can rightly divide the Word of Truth, but many people don’t and won’t do that.’ It may be easier to just listen to the pulpit then read a verse at night and in the morning than to actually study. But that also means it is easier for you to be deceived. And those false ministers who bring a fake gospel are skillful in manipulating scripture while making it sound good and feeding hearts filled with mammon—or even those with legitimate need.” Excerpt from: Black & White Christians Beware of Pulpit Money Changers and Con-Artists.

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” Romans 16:17-18

“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” Colossians 2:23

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” I Timothy 6:3-5

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:8-9

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An Analysis of Hope, Deception, and Self-Realization in the Poem

The Illusion of Reassurance and Superficial Comfort

This poem delves into the complex emotions experienced during moments of desperation and the ways in which individuals seek solace through promises of hope and miraculous cures. It critically examines the nature of these promises and questions their true worth, highlighting how the desire for relief can make people susceptible to deception.

Biblically, this aligns with the tendency to seek external salvation rather than internal transformation, as seen in the Israelites’ repeated reliance on idols and false prophets (Jeremiah 2:13). Psychologically, individuals facing stress often turn to quick fixes or external validation to soothe feelings of inadequacy, mirroring the “smooth talker” who offers superficial reassurance that ultimately distracts from inner healing.

The Deceptive Nature of False Hope

The poem begins by addressing the universal tendency to turn to others—”the spokesman”—who offer reassurance with the words, “Don’t give up on hope.” At face value, this seems like a comforting message, but beneath it lies a deeper truth: the speaker suggests that such reassurance is often superficial, serving to distract rather than heal. This echoes the idea that the “smooth talker” who claims to have a fix ultimately has none. When he asks, “Do you believe?” he’s really implying that only the individual can help themselves. However, he charges dearly for this advice—whether through money, integrity, or even one’s soul—highlighting the exploitative nature of false promises.

From a biblical perspective, this can be linked to the warning against false prophets (Matthew 7:15-20), who appear to offer hope but lead others astray. Psychologically, this reflects the human tendency to seek certainty and reassurance in uncertain times, sometimes falling prey to manipulators who exploit vulnerability for personal gain.

The Human Desire for Miracles and Quick Fixes

The poem explores the human desire for a miracle—the hope that suffering will simply disappear. It notes that if such a miracle doesn’t materialize, people are left to settle for anything that claims to take their despair “far, far away.” This reflects the tendency to grasp at superficial solutions—be it motivational talks, trinkets, or empty sermons—that promise relief but often deliver little more than temporary comfort. The line “Because that’s the only message you really wanted to hear” emphasizes that, in moments of vulnerability, the craving for hope makes us willing to accept whatever offers the illusion of salvation.

Psychologically, this aligns with the concept of denial and avoidance—defense mechanisms that protect individuals from facing painful realities (Freud, 1926). Biblically, it echoes the Israelites’ longing for immediate deliverance from hardship, often seeking quick fixes rather than trusting in divine timing and process (Isaiah 40:31).

Questioning the Efficacy of Superficial Promises

However, the poem questions whether these promises truly deliver. It asks, “Does it really?” suggesting skepticism about the efficacy of superficial relief. The closing lines serve as a sobering reminder that avoidance may be futile: “There’s only one other way out, and that’s for you to go to another place, where pain supposedly doesn’t exist.” But the poem questions this escape, asking, “Unless you brought it along with you?” implying that pain and suffering are intrinsic parts of human existence. Simply fleeing or seeking external relief may not free us from our inner turmoil; instead, we carry our pain wherever we go.

This resonates with the biblical notion that avoidance is futile—true healing requires confronting one’s pain (Psalm 34:18). Psychologically, it reflects the idea that repressing emotions does not eliminate them but can lead to psychological distress over time (Freud, 1915).

The Exploitative Nature of False Promises

In essence, the poem reveals how the “smooth talker” only offers empty reassurance but charges a heavy price for it. His main aim is to manipulate and exploit vulnerable individuals, giving the illusion of hope while hiding the fact that he has no real solution. The poem warns against trusting superficial promises of relief and emphasizes the importance of confronting pain directly—acknowledging that true healing begins within, rather than through deceptive promises or fleeting distractions.

From a biblical standpoint, this aligns with the warning against false teachers seeking personal gain (2 Peter 2:1-3). Psychologically, it underscores the importance of authentic self-awareness and inner work for genuine healing, rather than external validation or quick fixes.

The Path to Genuine Peace

In conclusion, this poem offers a powerful meditation on the illusions of hope and the dangers of seeking external fixes for internal suffering. It urges us to be wary of charlatans who profit from our despair. The subtle yet profound message suggests that, while the allure of escape is strong, genuine peace may lie not in fleeing pain but in understanding and accepting it as part of the human condition.

Biblically, this echoes the biblical call to trust in divine presence amid suffering (Romans 8:38-39). Psychologically, it highlights the importance of acceptance and resilience—key components of emotional well-being (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, 1999)—to achieve true healing and inner peace.