The Truth will set us free. Everyone likes the sound of that, but in reality we
accept the opposite. We exchange the truth for lies that fulfill us, lies that
make us feel better, lies that temporarily give us power.
Why is the truth so important then? It is important because
it exists to be sought after. The most irresponsible thing any man can do is to
stop seeking the truth or knowingly settle for a lie. Truth exists. There is
either a God of the universe who deserves our praise and devotion or there is
no God at all in which case we should give him no thought whatsoever. If you don’t seek the truth then you will
not find it. If you don’t find the truth then the consequences are absolutely
catastrophic. It’s easy to procrastinate in our journey to the truth because
though the truth frees us, it also convicts us to some sort of change that we
don’t want to make.
Truth is not just
answers to philosophical questions, it is vital in everything we do, in every single
relationship we have with those around us. Truth prepares us for healing and
action. But we already know this don’t we? You cannot treat cancer if you do
not first learn and accept that you have it. You cannot give your child his
favorite super hero action figure for Christmas unless you know that that is
his what he wants. You cannot make a wise decision in a relationship unless you
know the truth. It is our job to seek after the truth, for once we find it then
we are prepared to make the right decision. We cannot get rid of sin in our
life unless we find it and accept that it exists. You get the point.
Proverbs 1:5 - let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the discerning get guidance
Understanding the importance of truth is just the first step, yet wanting the truth isn’t enough to find it. How then do we find truth? The answer is so simple. We LISTEN.
James 1:19- My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
Throughout the Bible the phrase “he who has ears let him hear” is used may
times. The phrase calls all those who can hear, to listen, to understand the
importance of truth and to act on it by listening not just with our ears but with
our hearts and minds. You can pray to God every day and not listen to him. I
know this because I am guilty of it. Often times I pray a list of concerns and
feelings to God that are real and true and then I ask him to speak to me. Can
you guess what I do after I ask him to speak to me? I say amen. How can I know
truth if I speak yet I don’t listen. How can I find the wisdom to make the
right decision if I don’t ever listen for it! Wisdom is given to us. It is
never created in us. Wisdom is gained when we listen to others, to God, and
when we pay attention to our own experiences by listening to what they have to
teach us. You cannot know the truth about the brokenness in your relationship
with someone else and how to fix it unless you listen for the truth. That means
you listen to the other person, you listen to God, you pay attention to your
own actions, you listen to those outside the situation looking in.
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Truth is absolutely essential and when we understand it we have no choice but to act. When we listen to the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, his lordship, and yet his incredible humiliating and glorious sacrifice, we will not be able to ignore it! Seek truth and you will find it. But if you don’t listen for truth then you will not hear it. You will not reconcile with each other, you will not grow stronger, and you will not have the opportunity to live life to the fullest.
4 easy steps
Listen for Truth
Pray in Truth
Act in Truth
Speak in Truth
Dang Stephen,
ReplyDeleteSuper good. Timely.