Does anyone worry about Truth anymore?

A story is told of an auto race between Americans and Russians. On the day of the race two cars tore down the track. The American car won by inches. In Pravda it was reported; “Russia and the U.S. cometed in a long-awaited race yesterday afternoon. Both cars broke all former speed records. The Soviets came in second, and the Americans finished next to last.”

There are many ways to spin facts; by exaggerating, by rearranging events, by leaving out part of the story. The result is the same. A lie. In this period of history it is as if the 9th commandment doesn’t exist, “you shall not bear false witness.” News which used to exist to report the facts has become agenda-driven. In US election reporting who can we believe?

We are reaping the result of “post modernism”, the philosophy of much of the late twentieth century. Truth is whatever you want it to be. If I love someone other than my wife, it’s okay to leave my wife because love—really lust— supersedes my marriage promise. If having the baby in my womb is inconvenient, I’ll just call it biological tissue and abort it. If I’m a biological male but feel like I want to be a woman, I’ll just make up a name of me and demand my rights to lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans; whatever.

In a sense this is not new. In the Garden of Eden Satan whispered to Eve; “hath God said you shall not eat of the tree–God knows that if you eat you will be like God.” A gigantic lie. From the fall of Adam and Eve, it has been true, “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Gen. 8:21). As the years advance Satan becomes more sophisticated. Paul warns us in 2 Tim. 3:13 “But evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

History has given us an abundance of deceivers from Buddha and Mohammed, through Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Patterson Eddy, and all the Nazi and communist deceivers. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Hugo Chavez. Today we have a new crop.

If we want truth, if we want an accurate view of REALITY where can we go? How do we weave our way through the avalanche of ideas and data that is dumped on our plates from the restless internet? We cannot depend on news channels for truth. As Rex Murphy has pointed out, by-and-large, they have a narrative to promote, not facts to report.

We need some kind of truth-sieve that will filter out deceit and lies. Or some kind of compass that will always point to truth. The GOD OF TRUTH has given just what we need, an external, objective book—the Word of Truth. Jesus prayed to the Father that he would sanctify us through the Word of Truth. “Sanctify them through the truth, your word is truth” (John 17:17). We know sanctification is a progressive work of God’s Spirit, changing us from self-deceived and deceiving people to honest, thoughtful, kind, and discerning people who become more like Christ, the TRUTH. Remember, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 8:32).

Of course, the Bible is not going to tell us what is true or false about events or news around us. However, if we study it daily until it is part of our consciousness the principles it contains, its wisdom, its ethical purity, its examples will help us to sort through the mess. We will become discerning people. “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11, KJV). Are we studying and meditating on the Word daily? We can’t expect to become Bible-people from just an occasional dip into the ocean of the Word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV).

An example of the Bible’s reliability is its record of history. We are told that history is written by the victors and is thus unreliable. In the case of the Bible, history was recorded by both the victors and the vanquished. Israel in Egyptian and Babylonian slavery. Israel in times of victory and defeat under the Judges. Victories and defeat under the kings of Israel. Failure and sin under the prophets. It’s record has been guided by God Himself who sovereignly overrules events to accomplish his purposes. No other ancient book records accurately the flaws, failures and exploits of a whole nation as well as the early record of the gospel’s advance into all the Roman Empire.

The Bible is a reliable book. It is not a textbook on chemistry. But it is perfect in all it affirms. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16,17). It contains moral truth and exalted philosophy; the ten commandments, the examples of godly men, the sermon on the mount and all the teaching of Christ and the apostles. It’s vision of the future is sure.

Fortunately, besides the written Word, God has given us internal interpreters; Jesus who will never leave us nor forsake us and the Holy Spirit who will guide into truth. Are we submissive to them? Do we seek their help or do we turn to the media?

In spite of everything God has done to guide us into all necessary truth, some professing Christians are prone to spout all kinds of crackpot theories and ideas—almost as bad as the unbelieving world. What can we do? We would be wise to heed Proverbs. “In the multitude of [godly] counsellors is safety” (Prov 11:14, KJV) Individual dogmatic interpretation is often skewed. We need to be part of a strong Bible-believing church with wise elders where preachers are always subject to their discernment. Lord, help us to be Bible-people.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)