By E. Jardinel
Is there a difference when you believe a lie or when you believe the truth? When you believe a lie, it affects your judgment, your decision, your attitude, and your future negatively. You will make wrong decisions due to a false balance and wrong judgment. You will lose God’s blessings when you disregard opportunities intended for you due to a negative attitude. But when you have right judgments based on truth, your decisions will lead you to the solution of every problem toward a blessed life.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
(Proverbs 11:5)
Like in the parable of the talent, the person who received the one talent thought that his Lord was so strict and so, because of the fear of failure, did not use that one talent given him. He did not understand the favor and opportunities which were given him and thus, became so ungrateful.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Matthew 25:24–29)
WHY WE SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH
It is our responsibility to know the truth to be able to make wise judgments and decisions.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
(Proverbs 28:4–5)
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
(Proverbs 11:1)
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
(Proverbs 30:8)
The truth liberates us from the bondage of sin and falsehood.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31–32)
SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. (Psalms 119:113)
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (Psalms 119:133)
Knowing, applying, and sharing the principles of truth, will help us grow firm and strong.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(Ephesians 4:14–15)
The Bible, God’s word is truth.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
(John 17:17)
HOW WE CAN KNOW THE TRUTH
Meditate daily on God’s word.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Joshua 1:8)
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:7–8)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
(John 15:7–8)
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
(John 15:16)
Study God’s word regularly.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(2 Timothy 2:15)
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
(Proverbs 15:28)
Seek Counsel from Godly men.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(Psalms 1:1–2)
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14)
Listen carefully to instructions and preachings.
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
(Proverbs 12:1)
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
(Proverbs 13:1–2)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:17)
Don’t rely on feelings.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
(Jeremiah 17:9)
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
(Proverbs 28:26)
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
(1 John 3:20)
HOW WE CAN APPLY THE TRUTH
Repent of every sin.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
Be careful of your talk.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(Ephesians 4:29)
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
(Proverbs 11:13)
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
(Proverbs 26:20)
Be patient, loving, and forgiving.
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
(1 John 2:9–10)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
(Colossians 3:12–13)
Obey God’s word by faith.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
(James 1:22-24)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
(Galatians 3:11)
Overcome your weaknesses and fears by dependence on God.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
(Acts 4:29)
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
(Acts 4:31)
Examine yourselves.
We are to examine ourselves whether we are doing things that please God or not. We should not allow falsehood and lies to dominate our lives and thoughts for such will affect our decisions and judgments. Instead, we should seek the truth, follow, and obey the truth. Following the truth diligently will result to greater blessings and favors from God.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. (Proverbs 11:27)
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
(Proverbs 12:11)
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. (Proverbs 12:2)
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. (Proverbs 13:15)
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