What is Truth?

 

                                                                    What is truth?

You might recall a long time ago this question was captured in the pages of the Bible (John 18:38). It was asked by a man who was completely conflicted by contradictory accounts of a situation of which he was caught in the middle. Many of us today find ourselves in the same position. We get caught between people shouting completely opposite things about the same subject and it's confusing.

 I thought perhaps I should let you know what I am using as tools of discernment when it comes to these conflicts. First and foremost, I rely on being in the scriptures every day in a methodical way to keep me attached to the ultimate source of Truth. It is the same with prayer, every day I must come with/thru the power of the Holy Spirit into prayer at the feet of Jesus asking him to show me the way forward.

Then I also stay closely attached to the church. I rely on community discernment so I don't create my own echo chamber where I just hear myself and others that completely agree with me all the time. Yet there are times even inside the church, contradictory conversations happen and I find myself wondering how do I discern credibility.

Here again, it is a matter of prayer but also a common sense approach. When I receive information of any sort I ask myself: who is giving me this information? Who is the source of the information? And then, is that source credible? I remember in the 70s and '80s hearing the mantra “well I saw it on TV so it must be true.” This is even more of a mantra now, except that it's “well I saw it on the internet so it must be true.” Just because someone has a media platform and an audience it doesn't make them credible.

 How do I establish credibility? I try to know my sources as personally as I can I try to look at their history and if they have walked / are walking with Christ and his people. I look at whether they exhibit the fruits of the spirit. I try to remember how they have helped me or others in the past with good discernment and if they have a level of proven expertise in whatever area I am seeking to discern. That is my framework for navigating conflicts over the question what is truth and who is credible.

Truth and credibility are in constant question today as people wrestle with all things pandemic. Masks, numbers of all sorts, and of course the vaccines. Now to be very clear, I have discerned that my family be vaccinated based on the aforementioned process. I entered into vigorous discussion with my pastor group and we discerned together what each of us feel God is leading us to do. Not all the pastors landed where I am but I would say many did.

 I felt at different points God was speaking on this and pointed me in the direction of getting vaccinated. John Miller's  (Sept. 12, 2021) sermon was a powerful word that confirmed this direction. I have also talked with several medical folks who I not only trust but love. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ. These are the people who have always advised me on medical questions. These are the folks who have lovingly and carefully helped me and my family through all kinds of illness and injuries to find healing by the power of God and their medical wisdom. I have always trusted their help-why would I stop now?

So the question remains, what is truth when it comes to the vaccine? Could I be wrong about the vaccine? Yes, it's possible. I can tell you that I have peace about our decision. I pray that you will have the same peace wherever you land with the Lord on this issue or any others that doubtlessly will come your/our way.  As always, I'm glad to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about anything I have shared and look forward to continuing to discern together what God's will is for our lives. May God bless and keep us in His Love.