How do I know Truth (When F-A-K-E is half F-A-C-T)?
Type “It’s a fa” in your Google search window and see what suggested completions appear in the drop down list. Among them no doubt will be “It’s a fact” and “It’s a fake.” Two very similar looking eight letter statements yet asserting conclusions as different as night and day.
Therein is the problem in sorting out truth and error. Seldom is that which is fake entirely so. F-A-K-E is most often half F-A-C-T.
Consider the very first bit of falsehood to enter the world. It came of course from the devil, of whom Jesus later said “there is no truth in him… he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44). What were the tempter’s words?
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen. 1:1). Eve corrects the misquote – already slipping some, for she has engaged the tempter in dialogue! “You will not certainly die,” he challenges. A direct lie! Then adds “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The devil challenges God’s goodness, suggests God has ulterior motives and is withholding from her something good. In short, he suggests she doesn’t really know God at all.
Of all the disciples John was perhaps the one who knew and loved Christ most. He was called ”the beloved disciple.” or “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). He knew Christ intimately and in that knowing John knew Truth. He writes, “We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.” (1 John 4:6). We know the Truth, what is Fact and not Fake, by knowing Christ… learning His Voice, receiving His Spirit, obeying Him.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
“…a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:5)
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” (John 16:13-14).
“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” (John 7:17).
We live by FAITH as we walk this Christian Way. And there’s a lesson in that word too. God gives just enough FAct to show FAith is reasonable, but the rest we must choose for ourselves.
Press on…
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thebrokenrunner 