In today’s age of information overload, it is easy to become confused about what is true and what is false. We are so inundated with conflicting reports from various sources about current events and rumors of wars that sometimes we don’t know who or what to believe.
It is not so different today as it was in Jesus’ day. Even then there were multiple voices contradicting Jesus and His teachings. In a short reading through John 6-8, the varying opinions of many were displayed. A few examples include:
- The Jews then complained about Him… (John 6:41)
- The Jews quarreled among themselves… (6:52)
- Many of His disciples said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (6:60)
- The Jews sought to kill Him… (7:1)
- Even His brothers did not believe in Him… (7:5)
- The Jews marveled at Him (7:15)…
And many of the people believed in Him and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?” (John 7:31) But the Pharisees said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” (John 8:13)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Do you know how bank tellers are trained to recognize counterfeit money? They are taught to know genuine bills front and back, up and down. So when a fake bill passes through their hand, they can spot it easily, because it doesn’t line up with the true bills that they know so well. The same principle applies to being able to distinguish between God’s truth and the devil’s lies. When you abide in God’s Word and know it in and out and up and down, it is easy to spot a lie of the devil. You can discern even the spirits who try to disguise themselves very craftily in half-truths.
Believing Jesus is only the beginning. Digging into His Word and following His commands and spending time with Him in prayer is what liberates our soul and elevates our spirit to new heights. Whether you are in the middle of a Bible reading plan or are starting to read God’s Word afresh in a new cycle, I encourage you to abide in the Word. It will help you discern what is truth and what is not. It will help you know how to weigh and react to all the rumors and fearmongering of the media. It will confirm to you what is the good and perfect will of God the Father for your life.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
And,
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us…We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 3:24, 4:6)
Make the Scriptures a part of your daily routine. Don’t give up!!!! There are treasures awaiting you. And here’s the God-honest truth for today–close your ears to the chatter of the world around you and focus on the still, small voice of God to guide you into all truth. Yes, His truth shall indeed make you free!
–dmrf