When you don’t know who’s telling the truth, God is…
T True and just
And I heard the altar saying,
“Yes, Lord God the Almighty,
true and just are your judgments!” Revelation 16:7 (ESV)
Not long ago, I read a quote from a high-level infectious disease expert lamenting what he perceived as an “anti-science” bias. In his opinion, it is “inconceivable and incomprehensible” that people “don’t believe science and they don’t trust authority” because “you know, science is truth.”
Well, maybe it’s “truth.” If scientists have all the information and correctly interpret the data, sometimes they get it right.
But sometimes science doesn’t have all the answers.
I’ve heard terms like “truth is relative” and “that might be true for you, but it’s not true for me.” And a study of philosophy opens a whole Pandora’s box, with different concepts of “truth” buzzing around. But when we find ourselves on shaky ground and we’re looking for a firm foundation, where can we plant our feet and put our trust? We need truth based on reality. Not “truth” based on someone else’s feelings or perceptions, but evidence-based truth.
How can we know what’s true?
Should we trust all authority figures?
Should we conform to the opinions of our peers?
In these days of information overload, misinformation, and fake news, where do we go to find the truth, and how can we be sure the “facts” are true and unbiased?
As we seek out information to help us make informed decisions, as we listen to all sides, we can easily become confused by conflicting opinions. That’s when we need to silence the clanging of voices clamoring for our attention and listen to the One Voice that consistently rings true and reliable. We must listen to the deep, quiet voice of the One who has our best interests at heart.
Our Conscience Points to Truth
First, God designed us with a conscience, a moral code in our DNA letting us know right from wrong.
If we’re trying to decide if a particular action is right or wrong, we can take the advice of the great philosopher Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio: always let your conscience be your guide.
Ask yourself:
- What is my conscience telling me?
- What consequences might follow a choice I’m considering?
God’s Word Will Guide Us
When we’re searching for truth, God’s Word is the best place to find it.
When I first began reading the Bible for myself, I was amazed by the consistency of the message. The Bible doesn’t contradict itself, as some might claim. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible delivers the message of God’s love for the rebellious people he created and his plan to redeem us and bring us back into a relationship with him.
(If you’ve never investigated the authenticity of the message of the Bible or the claims of Scripture, I encourage you to do so. One place to begin is Lee Strobel’s Case for Christ.)
I was excited to find I could go to the Bible when I wanted the truth rather than someone’s opinion…a truth that wouldn’t change based on the whims and wishes of human beings.
Yes, because we’re fallible, we are susceptible to misinterpreting the Bible, but that doesn’t mean the Bible isn’t true. We may misunderstand now, but one day every word is going to make sense.
Yet for now, we have a responsibility to study the Bible for ourselves, to read verses and passages in context, and to learn all we can about the cultural context and original language, so we don’t miss the intended meaning.
And though the Bible may not provide us specific answers to every dilemma that confounds us, the Bible does give us principles that become the bedrock of our lives.
We can begin by asking God to guide us by his Word. As we look for guidance need to have an open mind; we don’t want to simply look for verses to confirm our preconceived notions. We want to hear from God. We then ask ourselves questions:
- Does the Bible specifically address the question I have?
- Does the Bible discuss principles relating to my question?
- How is God speaking to me through his Word? What do I sense him telling me to do?
Using Our Brains to Discern Truth
God wants us to use our intellect.
The Bible doesn’t specifically address every scientific issue or every dilemma we may face, we need to seek out the facts pertaining to our situation.
Then we need to seek godly advice from trusted sources.
We need to keep asking questions and depend on God to lead us to the right answers.
Ask yourself:
- Where can I go to get more information?
- Which sources can I trust? Where can I go to get the whole truth from people or organizations who have my best interests at heart?
God Sent Us the Spirit of Truth
In addition to giving us the Bible, God sent his Holy Spirit to indwell us.
The Spirit of Truth lives inside believers, helping us to discern truth from error. Yes, sometimes we miss the whispers of the Spirit because we listen to other voices competing for our attention. Sometimes we simply misunderstand. But the more we search the Scriptures and seek information from reliable sources, and the more we become sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit inside us, the closer we get to the truth.
As I’m writing this, James 1:5 comes to mind.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 (ESV)
Avoiding People Who Distort Truth
Beware of people who intentionally distort the truth.
Some people who claim to teach God’s word are, as Jesus called them, “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” In Matthew 7:15-23, Jesus warned about false prophets who claim to prophesy and do mighty works in Jesus’ name. He also told us how we can recognize them: by their “fruit,” or works. Lookout for people who call themselves Christians but live sinful lifestyles or use their position to manipulate and abuse others. While there may be grains of truth mixed in their message, overall, they’re offering a sack of lies.
We can avoid being misled if we continually ask God for guidance. (Matt.7:7-11)
As we try to make sense of all the opinions and so-called facts that confront us, let’s first see how they mesh with the Word of God. Let’s seek information from reliable sources. And let’s ask for wisdom, believing that God will give it. Because he says he will. Because he is true and just.
Father, when I’m bombarded with information and confronted by opposing opinions, help me to discern truth from error. Give me wisdom for the decisions I make. I trust in your Word to guide me and your Spirit to enlighten me. I put my trust in you alone.
Featured image courtesy of Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
