Who Speaks the Truth to You??

Truth has always been an elusive thing. Right?

It was the summer after my high school graduation and mom had to have a word with me. I had become quite full of myself (arrogant) and mom could see that I needed to be taken down a notch (swallow my pride). She did a fine job!

I didn’t want to hear it, but I needed to hear it. She spoke the truth.

Sometimes the truth is distasteful because we are in the wrong. No one wants to hear, “You’re wrong!” “You need to change!” “You have to stop” (doing what you should not be doing). “You have to” (do what you should be doing). Yet, as distasteful as it may be, hearing the truth is better than hearing lies. It’s what we all need.

There is an amusing story in the Old Testament about a king who didn’t like truth. King Ahab wanted to go into battle over a border dispute on the northern boundary of Israel. He asked the king of Judah to join him. He consulted all his prophets and they told him what he wanted to hear, “Go up, for the Lord will give the land into the hand of the king.”

King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked whether there was a prophet of the Lord nearby. (The other prophets were not God’s prophets.) King Ahab replied, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.”

Messengers were sent to find the prophet named Micaiah. They coached him to agree with the other prophets, but he protested saying that he could only say what God had told him. Nevertheless he was brought before the two kings and asked to prophesy. Surprisingly, his prophecy agreed with the others!

Then, King Ahab said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” So, Micaiah revealed God’s message of truth to the kings. And you might guess, it was not what King Ahab wanted to hear. He then complained, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”

(You should read this entire event in 1 Kings 22. You might be surprised by the heavenly meeting that Micaiah told about.)

King Ahab was quite peculiar. He knew that his own prophets were merely telling him what he wanted to hear. He knew the difference between truth and lies. He knew that God’s word was truth and that God’s prophet spoke the truth. He just didn’t want to hear the truth.

Are you ever like that? Are there certain people that you simply will not listen to? Maybe it’s because of something in your past. Maybe they’ve made mistakes, and you still hold things against them. Maybe they don’t speak your language; they’re too bold and straightforward, too wordy, too soft, or something else. Maybe they’re too old or too young; not well educated or overly educated. It may be that you KNOW they’ll speak truth!

Perhaps it’s not truth that is so elusive after all. The question may be more about whether you love the truth or prefer to live in a world of delusion that you have created for yourself. You can call it ‘your truth’ all day long, but it doesn’t change reality. You can believe or perceive whatever you want, but reality is immovable and unchangeable. Reality is called truth.

Are you just another fool like King Ahab?

Or, do you love truth?

Mark Stinnett

May 12, 2024

Thinking about 'Thinking'

Sometimes we need to take a step back and think about things. It may sound odd, but I am thinking about thinking. Peter wrote:

Be of sound judgment and sober for the purpose of prayer. 

—1 Peter 4:7

Together, the two terms, sound judgment and soberness, carry the idea of clear thinking and mental calmness. They follow in contrast to a series of terms that include drinking, sensuality, lust, and idolatry. Intoxication by alcohol and drugs affects the mind by physically interfering with the operation of thinking. The latter three terms refer to a muddling of the mind, yet without introducing a foreign physical substance. In all of these, the mind is unable to think clearly and calmly. Godliness is pushed out.

Can you remember a time when an important event was shown on the news? Perhaps it was war overseas, or tragedy in the U. S. Perhaps it was the presidential election returns or the report of severe weather with predictions of significant damage.

Whatever the case, do you remember having an intense desire to listen? You were focused on the television or radio or electronic device. You probably leaned in closely and may have turned your head slightly to hear better. Small insignificant noises around you were completely blocked out. Anyone not interested (kids) were asked to leave the room or “Shush!” If you had been feeling tired, you were suddenly wide awake…focused, but calm…mentally alert!

That is the mind that God wants: wide awake; focused, but calm; mentally alert. And the object of our focus is Christ.

The following passages show the importance of a sober mind focused on God:

Prepare your minds for action, keep sober. 

--1 Peter 1:13

A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 

--1 Corinthians 2:14

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

--Romans 12:2

Walk no longer just as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind.

--Ephesians 4:17

Let no one deceive you with empty words.

--Ephesians 5:6

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.

--Ephesians 6:18

God desires for us to have a clear mind. When our mind is muddled by chemicals, or passions, or just the distractions of the day, we will be drawn away from God and will miss out on His gracious help. A calm and clear mind requires genuine intent and constant attention.

Is your spirit clear and calm so you can pray?

Think about thinking…calmly and clearly.

Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 

 —Philippians 4:8

Mark Stinnett

May 5, 2024