Words of Wisdom- Day 10

Truth

Today’s focus is on the value of truth. This is a principle that we have been drifting further away from as a nation. We may have been misled by misinformation from news sources, social, media, or elected officials. Yet, we must hold ourselves accountable as well because we are willing consumers of this misinformation.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
    but the folly of fools is deception.

Proverbs 14:8

The simple believe anything,
    but the prudent give thought to their steps.

Proverbs 14:15

The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Proverbs 15:14

These scriptures from Proverbs remind us that to be wise we must be discerning about the information we receive. Many different things are said, some from the mouths of the wise and some from the mouths of fools. So how can we be more discerning? The following verse gives us some insight:

Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22

We must not surround ourselves with opinions that only reflect our own. How can we expect to grow and learn from others if our ideas are never challenged? We benefit by incorporating many opinions and ideas before declaring our own. This means watching several different news sources or following differing viewpoints on social media. No side contains the whole truth, but by piecing together the consistencies we can come closer to it.

Most importantly, we must remember that there is only one truth… Jesus.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32

Are we filling ourselves with the Word of God and seeing out opinions that proclaim his truth? Or are we seeking out controversy and opinions that feed division? We are so easily divided from each other at a time when unity is needed more than ever. It doesn’t matter your race, creed, nationality, gender, social status, or political affiliation. The truth is there are only 2 sides- good and evil; alignment with God or opposition to God. In the war between good and evil we will find both types on every side, no side is blameless. A blind belief that our side is the one of truth only allows evil to destroy us from within. We must abide in Jesus’ word and then follow the principles that reflect his heart, regardless of which side they come from. Then we “will know the truth, and the truth will set us free.”