Corona Devo 629
How can we discern between the truth and lies? We may pretend that truth is cut-and-dry, that age-brings-wisdom, or that intelligence "sorts" through facts and falsehood, but figuring out the truth (at any age) can be difficult.
One hurdle is that we are comfortable with "what we have always known", and so even if there are cracks in the foundation of our traditions/rituals/belief, we cling to them fiercely.
Another hurdle (in the opposite direction) is "new" doctrine/truth/findings/"science". We abandon past truths under the pressure/influence/propaganda/popularity of "new" truth.
The Jewish people following Jesus had studied their Scriptures and their stories of faith passed from generation to generation. But when Jesus showed up, new Truth came onto their scene and into their lives and some did not allow themselves to receive it.
We do not want to make the same mistake of "missing" God's truth in our lives today.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. (32) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
(33) They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
(34) Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. (35) Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. (36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (37) I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. (38) I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”
(39) “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. (40) As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. (41) You are doing the works of your own father.”
“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
(42) Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. (43) Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ~John 8:31-43
It may sound confusing, but Jesus stood right in front of them, speaking of the eternal and immediate truth that He came to provide over their lives, and they were unable to hear what He said. Steeped in their traditions, or comfortable in their ways-of-life, or just "missing" what was in front of them--they did not accept the truth of Jesus and who He was.
And they weren't the only ones. We must be so very careful not to miss the truth of God in our lives today.
Children can be fooled but adults alike can be hoodwinked. Our defense and offense is the Bible and knowing the Word of God, which is unshakable truth.
Our 5th grade daughter has friends in her class chattering about their "support" of being "pangender" ("referring to a vast and diverse multiplicity of genders in the same individual that can extend infinitely..."). I had to look up this new "truth" because I'd never heard of it. The Bible teaches that "male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27), but (unfortunately) Biblical truth is not the "truth" being taught to many people (young and old) today.
Six million Jewish people were exterminated during the Holocaust because enough people believed the false "truths" that Jews were a "threat" to them, and that Jews were somehow inferior to others. The truth is, in the image of God we were all created (Genesis 1:27).
We MUST become serious in educating ourselves and our children in God's Word and His truth. Otherwise, other things/people/beliefs/and lies will define us, instead of God's truth...and then we become unable to hear what God says.
(43) Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. (44) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (45) Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! (46) Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? (47) Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” ~John 8:43-47
The truth of God is not subjective. It is not skewed to favor any one people group and it does not waiver to incorporate or allow for sin in accordance with popular culture or hedonistic desire. God's Word is truth and it is firm, immovable and pure. His simple truths were carved out of His love for us and they will guard our lives and hearts well, if we will choose to hear them.
But the devil is crafty. He always has been and he always will be. The lies he whispers into our ears are uniquely tempting to each of us, because he knows our weakness and he crafts his words (lies!) accordingly.
We must not succumb, Brothers and Sisters.
Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. ~John 8:47
What does God say? Whatever we are wondering/struggling with/questioning/being burdened by---what does God's Word say in reference to it? The Bible is where we will find truth, and it is the only place where we will find truth.
Lord, help us to take a fresh inventory of what we are standing for and what we are not standing for. Are we living in Your truth or are we missing You (and Your Word) as You "stand right in front of us"? Allow us to receive Your truth and be freed by it today. (Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ~John 8:32). Amen.
Blessings,
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