It seems like any social media page or television show has some stretch to whatever truth is out there. (Some more than others.) Not too long ago, I opened Facebook and saw an article “How to Spot Fake News”. We all know fake news is all around us, but how do we truly know the truth? How can we find fact in a world surrounded with fantasy.
In the beginning of this spring, I was on a walk around a small lake I live near. On this walk I crossed paths with a very unexpected guest. I called him, Mr. sheepish. Yup! That’s right! I saw a sheep standing in the middle of the trail. It looked incredibly thin with mud and its own feces all over it. I couldn’t help but feel some compassion looking at it. As I walked close to the sheep it quickly jumped into the woods and started walking off. I kept walking for a while and decided that I needed to do something and help the guy out. So I quickly ran over to the sheep. While it tried running away, I grabbed the back of its neck. Trying to get Mr. Sheepish to go forward, he wouldn’t move… So, what would any good person do? I rolled up my sleeves and picked the sheep up and carried it to the nearest road. At the road, I thought of a better idea. The sheep kept wanting to get away from me so I took my belt off and made it into a quick leash. Long story short I tried calling for help with my phone, asked people that drove by for help to no avail. I was completely on my own with this sheep for well over an hour. Frustrated and annoyed, I had enough and left the sheep at the side of the road as I walked back to my vehicle and drove home.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but that sheep would teach me more than I thought when it came to truth and love.
So back to truth, what is truth?
If you don’t have a Bible, I suggest you get it out and open to John 8:32. Based off this verse we know that this “truth” is freeing. Let us dig even deeper into this amazing truth!
“Teach me your ways,
O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.”
~Psalms 86:11~
God’s Word is Truth! I always imagine the Bible as the most beautiful written love letter between God and us. When we get a love letter (or a letter of any sorts) from someone we admire, do we toss it aside after just reading it once? Maybe throw it in the trash or in the depths of a drawer that we’ll never see it again? OF COURSE NOT! We cherish the letter because it’s from someone we dearly care for. The same goes with the word of God. We ought to take care of the Word of God and often get into it as a beautifully written love letter to us.
In John 17:17 it reads, “Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth.” The Word of God is the truth! If we truly desire to know truth and where truth comes from, we need to get into the scriptures. The word “truth” is Alētheia which in Greek is described as a noun. Why is this important you ask? Well, I’ll be happy to explain. If “truth” was as adjective in this passage that would mean it is describing another ultimate truth, and God’s Word would not be the absolute truth. Since “truth” is a noun, it is the absolute truth.
Here is my challenge to us. Open your Bible back to John 8:31-32. We are to abide in God’s word. Meaning to heed or accept and uphold the Word of God. Is our lives showing that we are in obedience with the Bible? If not, are you truly God’s disciple?
“This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”
~John Bunyan~
“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone that isn’t”
~Charles Spurgeon~
Now I’m not advocating to tear and rip one’s Bible. However, you should be getting into God’s Word on a regular basis. Sunday morning at church is not enough time or effort when you are trying to pursue a personal relationship with God. It is an every day privilege. You cannot convince me you have a strong relationship with God and have dust on your bible. I can not stress enough the importance of getting into God’s Word!
How are you suppose to defend your faith if you don’t find the importance to reading the Bible. We need to stop making up our own faith in what’s right and wrong. The Bible speaks about the ultimate truth from God.
So, all this said, what do we do with this? When we are confronted, how are we suppose to respond?
The first way you could respond is in a sharp manor. The idea that “I’m right and your wrong!” It’s the same thing I did with the sheep. I tried to get the animal to safety and actually help it. That sheep wanted nothing to do with help. After a while, I just got upset with it and left. It wasn’t done in love. Yes, I understand we aren’t going to be going out and telling sheep about Jesus. However, just as the Bible says, we are all like sheep and have gone astray. (Isaiah 53:6)
The other way, and much better way, comes from Ephesians 4:15:
“Rather, speaking the truth in love,
we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
Now, social media, television shows are going to stretch whatever truth is out there. In order for us to keep on the path for Christ, we need to get into the Word of God and seek the truth ourselves. Open God’s love letter today and read what He has to teach you.
Spiritual Followings 