How Do You Know Who or What to Believe? There are so many different voices claiming
truth today. Fox News, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS,
Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Liberals and Libertarians all
claim to tell us exactly what is going on in the world today but none seem to
paint the same picture. “The White House is in Chaos.” “The White House is a fine running machine.” “Global warming is caused by humans and we
can do something about it.” “Global
warming is a natural occurrence that is not affected by man.” “Low carb diets are the best.” “The South Beach diet is the best and
healthiest.” One study says that a
glass of red wine with your evening meal is healthy and good for your
heart. Another study says that any and
all alcohol is unhealthy and destroys brain cells. So if one study is true and you have a glass
of red wine with dinner you may have a healthy heart but if the other study is
true your brain cells and memory could be affected…I’m sorry what were we
talking about?
Oh yeah, with all the different voices, who can you
trust? How do you know what or who to
believe? What is truth? Some 2000 years ago a Roman governor faced a
Jewish man who had been brought before him with false charges from religious
leaders who wanted this man dead because he was upsetting their religious
belief system and their way of life. Pilate
looked into the eyes of truth incarnate (John 14:6) and asked the question we
often struggle with today, “What is Truth?”
Today there are many who are like Pilate. We may question what or who to believe, but
do we really want to know? Pilate looked
truth in the eyes and turned away. It
was easier for him to walk away and continue in old familiar ways than face
truth that would certainly bring improvement to life but it would also
challenge and change a fairly comfortable lifestyle. Truly knowing and properly responding to the
truth would have threatened Pilate’s world.
His place of privilege and power would certainly have been endangered if
he had continued to face truth and seen Jesus for who he really was. It was easier to turn and continue in a world
of lies, deceit and corruption. This is
the same reason that people today make excuses to stay in destructive situations
rather than face truth and do the difficult work making changes truth
requires. One can become comfortable in
a difficult, destructive life and too afraid and lazy to move into a different
world. The new way may be better but it
is easy to stay with that which is familiar and takes less work.
So, like Pilate, we also often act as if we are interested,
but do we really want truth? Excuses are
easier than truth. “Well, it’s hard for me to lose weight; I inherited a big boned body.” The truth is not big bones but big
portions. Truth is difficult and not
often pleasant. Cutting back on portions
and calories while increasing exercise or activity level will cause weight
loss…no matter what our body type may be.
However, that means work, sacrifice and discipline, so it is easier to
make an excuse (while enjoying pie) and claim that explanation as the reason
for the situation or ‘my truth’.
‘My truth’ has
become a popular excuse to wrap one’s mind around a preferred version of truth. If you will notice when someone expresses ‘their truth’, it always benefits their
agenda or lifestyle. Truth can never be shaped according to the eye
or desire of the beholder. Truth is
never possessed, owned or personalized by anyone for their own comfort, favor
or plan. Truth stands alone and is
either observed, ignored or followed for what it is. Any variation is a lie. No one owns truth. When you hear someone expressing ‘their truth’ be careful with what you
hear…be very careful. I have found an
attitude of healthy skepticism to be very helpful. I have always questioned everything. It does not matter who says it, where you
read or heard it; it never hurts to question anything and everything you hear
and observe.
I always challenged listeners to question whatever they
heard me proclaim and don’t accept it until you research and verify it as
truth. I also told them if/when they
found what I proclaimed to be in error of the truth to let me know and I would
buy their lunch. Never hide or be afraid
of the truth. Truth can stand any
scrutiny. Truth invites it. The scriptures say, “Put everything to the test.
Accept what is good and don’t have anything to do with evil” (1
Thessalonians 5:21-22). It is usually fairly
easy to discern what it right and what is wrong. It is not always as easy to do what is
right. I grew up in a place and time
where it was culturally acceptable to mistreat people who had darker skin. In fact, such conduct was promoted in some
pulpits. However, it did not take much
testing to see that such behavior was evil.
Truly seeing and properly responding to the truth can shake
the foundation of a world that may not be working well but, it is a world in
which we have grown comfortable and accepted.
Following truth will often lead to work that we don’t really want to do
and change we may not really want. History
shows us that we do not always deal kindly with truth. Gandhi spoke truth that led to India’s
independence but an angry Muslim killed him because it did not correspond to ‘his truth’. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke truth concerning
civil rights and equal treatment for all people but that truth that was not
accepted by everyone and he was assassinated.
Jesus was/is truth and religious people, who should be the ones seeking
truth most of all, had him crucified. Truth
will not always make you popular, just right.
So, how can you know who to believe and what is truth? What did Jesus tell Pilate? “Everyone
on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37) Listen and follow what he says “and
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John
8:32). An honest life will not always be
the way to win friends and influence people, sorry, Dr. Peale, but it will give
you the freedom of conscience to live a life of integrity and truth rather than
one of hypocrisy, lies, guilt and shame.
Find and follow truth. Peace of
mind comes from knowing and following truth.
Don’t believe me? Look it up!
