What is True?

Jim Bucklew
Written By Jeff Rybacki
 

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. “

1 John 4:1 (ESV) 

Although John’s original intent of this verse had more to do with discerning the true gospel out of the many false variations of the gospel that were springing up as the early Church was beginning to grow, it seems to me that, while its core meaning is still very much applicable to us today, there is a broader sense in which it applies to our present situation. 

Is anyone else weary of being literally and continuously bombarded by urgent issues and “crises” via the news media, social media, and government? It seems as though every effort is made to manipulate our thoughts and emotions – to get us “fired up” as it were. We’re expected to be outraged by something. And it had better be the right thing(s). Sometimes I get to the point that I just want to completely disengage from it all – to go “off the grid”. 

The enemy of our souls must be quite pleased with himself, watching all the people (especially Christians) get completely distracted, angry, and/or fearful by all of the current so-called crises. So many things to be outraged about. So many urgent causes. So many things to fear. So many of these things are presented in a misleading or biased way. Way too many are patently false. But hey, he’ll do anything to get our focus/attention off of Jesus.

The verse above reminds us that we are not to be ignorant, but rather discerning. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “...test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1Th 5:21) And to the Ephesians he wrote, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.” (Eph 5:15) Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Mt 10:16) 

So where do we find wisdom? Where to we gain discernment? Proverbs 2:3-12a gives us a clue:

...yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver

and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;

from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

guarding the paths of justice

and watching over the way of His saints.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice

and equity, every good path;

for wisdom will come into your heart, 

and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

discretion will watch over you,

understanding will guard you,

delivering you from the way of evil,…

Wisdom comes from God. We gain it by seeking Him in prayer and studying His Word. If we are growing in wisdom and knowledge of God and His truth (the ONLY truth!), we are far less likely to be manipulated into purely emotional responses to the things going on around us. You see, our battle is not against flesh and blood, our battle is with the enemy who wants to divide and distract us (Eph 6:12). Skin color, race, and/or ethnicity are not the problem; misguided ideology is. Distorted world views are. Wrong thinking is. Fear is. 

Our weapon against such an enemy is not found in worldly solutions, but rather in prayer – prayer based on truth. Truth as found in God’s Word. What truth do we find there?

  • God is love.

  • God is sovereign/ in control

  • God sent His Son to die for our sins so that we could be reconciled to Him

  • Jesus is Savior and Lord – all authority has been given to Him

  • People are not the enemy

  • Jesus calls us to love one another (and we can love each other without condoning sin)

We need to get free from the tyranny of the urgent and from the outrage culture we find ourselves in, and look at the bigger picture of things, through the eyes of God.

I’m reminded of the chorus of a hymn that express these thoughts simply and beautifully:

Turn your eyes upon JesusLook full in His wonderful faceAnd the things of earth will grow strangely dimIn the light of His glory and grace 

Helen Howarth Lemmel (1922)

Jeff Rybacki
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