Lately, the news outlets have been full of news about fake news. There is some outrage over people who portray lies as the truth, and then spread it on social media. Is this any different than High School kids spreading lies about one another to seek revenge, or to make themselves look better? Pretty much the same thing, other than you would expect adults to act more like adults than High Schoolers. With both major party presidential candidates confirmed to have lied on different occasions, who can you trust? How do you tell the truth from a lie? Do you rely on gut feelings…I don’t believe that guy because I don’t like the cut of his jib.’ Or maybe you fact check a story to see if it holds any water, or not. Or just trust certain sources for what they say as true. Where do you go for the truth?
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
In a world where post-modern cultural and moral relativism predominates, what people perceive as truth changes with their moods. The ‘what’s true for you is not true for me’ mentality predominates and people can be led to believe most anything, even when shown the cold, hard facts of the truth! People can be led to believe most anything in a world where what they feel is true or false is a reality for them. Many who don’t trust in God may put their faith in ‘science’ and what they believe are undisputed truths. While the laws of physics and math remain fairly consistent in most settings (on earth), what we believe to be true and beneficial in other areas changes each decade, if not month to month. Evidence based research on what is a good diet, what medicines and medical procedures are beneficial, and psychological treatments are not the same today as they were 30 or even 5 years ago. We hope it improves, but this is not always the case. Everyone thinks they are so much smarter now than they were 10 years ago. Are you?
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37
To be honest, the closer I grow to God, the more I start to think and feel like Him. When the Spirit of God speaks to me, opens up the Word, and directs me, truth resonates within me. The closer I am to God, the more I despise sin in my life and the easier it is to see in others as well. I hate lies and try to avoid them whenever possible, but at times still find my sin nature drawn toward hiding the truth when it may reveal something negative about me. When I find out someone lies to me, it makes me lose almost all respect and trust in them, even if I forgive them, it will be difficult to believe them again. The truth matters.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
Lord, reveal to us the truth of your Word. Help us see the lies in the world and in the church that we may discern what is true in all things. Let our words and our lives speak the truth to those around us and be a testament to your work in our lives. If we ever speak or spread lies, be quick to convict us and allow us the chance to replace what is false with what is true in our lives. Let Christ be our example of speaking and living out only what is true and calling others to do the same. May this be true in our lives today.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Strength, Courage, and Truth in Christ,
Clark
