Articles
Discerning Truth in a World of Lies
One of the most important things in Bible study is to properly understand the words and the stories we read. It would do us no good to read through the entire Bible if we did not understand a word we read. Many have recognized this throughout history, and some have gone to great lengths to make sure the common people had the opportunity and access to the word of God in their own language so they could see for themselves what was written — in a language they could understand. It is no coincidence that the period called “The Dark Ages” was when religious and political leaders withheld the word of God from the common people and only preached it in a language few spoke [Latin]. It was called “The Dark Ages” because knowledge was darkened and people were purposefully prevented from gaining an understanding of God’s word, among other things.
But there is no less a need today to have a proper understanding of God’s word, though we are not quite in “The Dark Ages” anymore. Today, the problem is the numerous religious groups who all proclaim they are speaking the word of God even as they teach conflicting and contrary doctrines. In such times, is it any wonder that so many in the world are confused? Is it any wonder that so many have been turned off by the confusing messages they hear? It does not have to be this way.
To overcome the confusion, though, it will take a great deal of effort on our part. It will take time, it will take desire, it will take an honest heart, and it will take a willingness to then accept what we find when we go to the lengths we must to discover the truth on any matter. Are we so willing to put forth the effort? Are we willing to do whatever is necessary to discern truth in a world full of lies and deception? If you are, then consider the example of a man who also demonstrated such willingness: The Ethiopian eunuch.
A Disposition to Seek and to Hear the Truth. (Acts 8:27) This man, who held a high position in the government of Ethiopia, had traveled a long distance [1000-1300 miles] to come to Jerusalem to worship. He was clearly not a “casual” servant of the Lord, but a serious and dedicated servant that would go to great lengths to serve the Lord in the way He had commanded. This man was predisposed to hear the truth by the fact that he was willing to search that the truth might be found. This heart allowed him to listen when it came time to listen, and not shut his ears to the truth.
What about us? If we were to take stock of our own lives and measure the kind of person we were, what would we find? Would we have the same characteristics as this man? It may sound strange to find this man described as ‘faithful’ because he is not yet a Christian when we are first introduced to him. But he is described as faithful not because he was a dedicated Christian and because he was living as a Christian should live; no, the term faithful in this context speaks of the disposition of the man — willing to seek God and willing to worship Him in the best way he knew. Though he did not yet know the way of salvation, he was looking! He had the heart of the Bereans, of whom it was said “received the word with all readiness” (Acts 17:11).
Unfortunately, many proclaim a desire to know the truth, but are more like the Israelites of old, who told Jeremiah to appeal to the Lord that he might show them “the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do” (Jer. 42:2, 3), but when Jeremiah told them, they accused him of speaking falsely (Jer. 43:2) and they would not obey (Jer. 43:4). Why did they not obey? Because they were “hypocrites in (their) hearts” when they sent him to the Lord (Jer. 42:20). They had a predisposition to reject the will of God! While many may be proclaiming a desire to know the truth, I fear that many really do not want to hear the truth at all, but are like the proverbial smoker who looks for a doctor to tell him it is not bad for him: they simply want to find someone who will tell them what they want to hear!
Reading God’s Word is Necessary. (Acts 8:28) In his efforts to understand what God would have him to do, the Ethiopian eunuch did a very simple, but important, thing: he read the word of God! We do not know how he came to be in possession of the texts of the Old Testament Scripture, but he had it and he used it! It is likely that after he had come to Jerusalem to worship, he heard something preached by someone in Jerusalem and was trying to find the answers to some of his questions. It is possible that he heard something about the Christ and the text he read was one cited by the speaker, and he wanted to read for himself. Though he did not yet understand what he read — he read!
What about us? If we are honestly seeking to know the truth on any spiritual matter, what are we doing to find the answer? Are we reading the word of God to find the answer? Unfortunately, some today are letting the preachers and teachers in the pulpits and classrooms tell them what God says without one bit of personal investigation to see if it is true. Many are letting others tell them what God says, but few are reading the word of God for themselves to see if it is true. Let us never forget this: “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). There can be no faith if we do not hear, read, or know God’s word.
Questions Must Be Asked; the Scriptures Must Be the Source of Answers. (Acts 8:30-35) When Philip went to the eunuch in his chariot and heard he was reading from the book of Isaiah, he asked a question (Acts 8:30). The simple fact of this question is that it was needed! How could Philip teach if he did not ask about his understanding? He understood that effective teaching begins with where the hearer is lacking. The most basic question he could ask, he asked!
The eunuch also asked questions. When a portion of Scripture was read, he asked what it was about. Again, the eunuch was not afraid to ask questions because he wanted to know the answers. He didn’t let his personal pride stand in the way and didn’t try to bluff his way through the text. This is essential if we are genuinely seeking truth because we obviously don’t know all the answers. That is why we are seeking the truth!
When Philip was asked the all-important question, he did not puff out his chest and proclaim his opinion about the text: he read the text and expounded on its true meaning. He did not seek the opinions of learned men or religious scholars or the educational schools of thought; he went to the right source. God’s word was what was being read and God’s word would give the answer.
Philip also did the right thing when he answered, by preaching Jesus; he preached Jesus because that is what the Scripture being read was about. Philip used the Scripture and expounded on it that the answer might be found and the hearer could understand and be saved! This is why we each must be “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) before we teach, and when we teach, else we will lead others astray.
Are you one who is honestly and diligently seeking truth in this world that is full of lies, deception, and half-truths? If you are willing to do these things, you, too, can find the truth (John 17:17), and you, too, can be set free (John 8:32) from the bondage and guilt of sin. Don’t stop seeking! — Steven Harper
