I am excited. I am about to receive a windfall of cash. I received an email telling me that if I sent a link via email that Bill Gates would send me $5000 for each click. So if I send that link out to my entire mailing list that would be a lot of cash! It’s on the internet, so it must be true.
Of course, we all know that email is fake. If it is too good to be true, it usually is. Most of us are discerning and can see through the lies. But we are all constantly bombarded each day with things that sound so good but are often half-truths. There is hardly a person who has not been caught off guard with a fictional rumor or story passed off as the truth. Sometimes this happens with devastating consequences.
There is a widely held principle in carpentry. It is measure twice and cut once. The idea is to make sure your measurement is accurate before you cut. Once you cut there is no taking it back. This is a principle that is good in other areas of life as well. Measure twice what you hear and read before you act on it.
Measure twice, cut once is especially helpful in spiritual matters. How many truisms get passed on without much thought, even though they have not been verified? They are taken as truth when they often are the exact opposite of the truth. These half-truths are incredibly dangerous because they are imposters of the real truth. We embrace them as truth but are left wanting the real truth.
In the Book of Acts we hear about the example of the Bereans:
Now these Jews (of Berea) were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11 (ESV)
The Bereans did not take Paul’s word for it. They compared the things Paul said with the Scriptures. They considered if they lined up. They measured twice. First they considered Paul’s words. Then they compared them to the Scriptures. It was only after they listened and compared that they received and acted on what was said.
I have never been afraid of questions. The reason is that if you have truth on your side, that there should be nothing to fear. If you have truth on your side, you will be validated. If you don’t have truth your side, you better move. Because if you don’t have truth on your side, you are in for a hurting. If you don’t have truth, you’ve got nothing.
There are many uncertainties in life. We embrace something that sounds so good only to be let down. We are left disillusioned. A person or promise that seemed so hopeful ends up to a fraud. It can make a person depressed. We long for something real.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life” (John 14:6). He is the embodiment of the truth. We can be certain that what he says can be fully embraced with certainty. We can be certain in Jesus there is nothing more true or real. We can be certain he will never let us down. Jesus is the real deal!
When it comes to spiritual “truths” always ask the question: “does it point me to Jesus or away from Jesus?”
Questions for Reflection
- What causes us to let our guard down?
- What can we do to guard ourselves against lies?
- What is the value of truth?
- Share your comments.
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