This article was originally written for our Hope for the Hurting podcast which my daughter, Laura, and I broadcast each week. I thought it deserved to be read in our Woolf Line newsletter. If you'd like to listen to our 30 minute podcast, use this link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hopeforthehurting
Until recently, the Secret Service, as a branch of the Dept. of the Treasury, specialized in the detection of counterfeit currency. How did they detect counterfeit currency? Agents were trained to scrutinize, handle, smell, and analyze real, authentic currency bills. They spent countless hours being trained in this and what to look for in the genuine article. Why? Why do they do this? Because when these agents encounter counterfeit currency, they can readily detect the difference between the fake and the genuine. This is the same for us, as believers. We need to be so familiar with the truth that when we read, see, or hear lies we can readily discern the difference. When we know the truth that well we will be mature believers who are not “carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:14, 15).
So, what is the gold standard for truth? It is found in John 8:31, 32. Jesus, speaking to Jews who believed in Him declared, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” That’s the gold standard for truth! Abide in Jesus’ Word, the Bible. Read it! Memorize it! Obey it! Teach it! Why? Because if you do, you will know truth for the Bible contains God’s truth for living this life. It is our roadmap, our playbook, our set of instructions for living life on planet Earth. But knowing the truth is not the only benefit of learning the Bible. You will find freedom! The truth contained in the Bible will set you free! Free from what? Freedom from slavery to sin, freedom from bondage to addictions, freedom from pursuing idols, freedom from pursuing ungodly relationships, and much more. You will be set free!
There are three main sources of truth available to every believer in Jesus Christ:
- The Bible
We already know that the Bible is one of those three sources of truth. Theologians call the Bible inerrant and infallible. How can the Bible make such claims? Because God the Holy Spirit wrote it and God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). In 2 Timothy 3:16, we are told, “All scriptures is inspired by God. . .” The idea of inspired in this verse doesn’t simply mean inspiring or emotion-stirring. The Greek word is theopneustos or literally, “God breathed!” So, the Bible is one of the three primary sources for truth in this life. It is the EXTERNAL source God gave us to guide us into the truth.
- The Holy Spirit
The second source of truth God gave us is the INTERNAL source of truth and that source is the Holy Spirit. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). How will He guide us into all truth? By working internally convicting the believers’ conscience when we sin. How does He do this? The Spirit reveals God's truth, and God's truth renews our conscience. As the Spirit educates the believer's conscience with the things of God, the personal standard formed by the conscience begins to align with the standard of revealed truth in the Bible.
- Prayer
The third source of truth God gave us is prayer. Prayer is the PERSONAL source of truth. Through prayer we have direct access to the God of Truth. Prayer invites God to guide us, speak to us, show us His will and reveal truth to us about people and circumstances. For two examples of that consider the role prayer played in freeing the Apostle Peter from jail (Acts 12:5 ff.). The Church fervently prayed for Peter’s release and God sent an angel to free him. Then there is the example of Peter praying and God lowering a sheet filled with unclean animals and instructed Peter to kill and eat. God was showing Peter the truth that Gentiles, regarded as unclean by Jews, were included in His church (Acts 10:15).
If we know the Bible well because we have a daily habit of spending time reading it, then the Holy Spirit has a full well from which to draw when we encounter lies and deception. We will not be “tossed about by every wind and wave of doctrine” (James 1:6). As we pray about whether something written or spoken is true, God will give us discernment in the inner man or woman.
Truth Matters,
Irv