“I Don’t Know Who to Believe Anymore!”
Recently, I heard a group of ladies speaking at a restaurant. The conversation revolved around current events and the chaos in our world. After some time, an older lady who hadn’t said very much blurted out desperately, “I just don’t know who to believe anymore!” She is not alone. Millions go through life wondering who can be trusted. We live with enormous amounts of information, yet it is increasingly difficult to know what is true.
Here are some simple principles for when you don’t know who to believe:
Learn Who to Trust.
The source of a matter guides us in recognizing whether information is trustworthy. Therefore, learning who is dependable matters greatly amid the swirling lies.
Start with the Word of God.
Scripture teaches that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). It is impossible to have divine wisdom without the divine Word. When you don’t know who to believe, go back to the One who is True (John 14:16). Begin with God and allow every area of life to pass through the lens of Holy Scripture. There will not be a passage specifically about every subject we face today. But God has given His followers all that is needed for wisdom in spiritual, financial, cultural, economic, and moral issues.
Compare the information with sound reason and experience.
We do not live in a vacuum. While our nature is fallen, and our understanding is tainted by sin and error, we can still use sound reasoning and observation. God does not command us to become ignorant as His followers (Daniel 1, 1 Peter 2:2, 3:15). No! His wisdom is available to us – recorded in a Book. In His good will, God allows experiences in our lives to help us understand more of who He is and how we ought to live. While it is dangerous to make choices solely upon experience and reason, they must not be ignored. It is healthy to develop your mind and sharpen your thinking. Logic is not sinful, God created us to think logically.
Seek wise counsel.
Notice the clear teaching of Proverbs 1:5: “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” The wisdom of godly counsel does not conflict with beginning in God’s Word. Look at verse 7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” In a world filled with lies, we all need the counsel and guidance of mature Christians (Proverbs 27:17). This is one of the many reasons God established the church (Galatians 6:1-3, Hebrews 10:23-25). We all need the perspective and counsel of others. The Lord has allowed others to walk the road before, understand an issue better than us, or know more about a matter than we ever will – hear their counsel!
Remember: Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).
From the very beginning, Satan has been the deceiver (Genesis 3). He seeks to destroy us. Satan knows that our beliefs determine our behavior. If he can trick men into believing a lie, he can make them act upon that lie. Any student of history understands just how pernicious deception and false teaching can be. Wicked men have used ideologies and philosophies to enslave entire nations. Lies and corrupt thinking led to the atrocious slaughter of millions of people – just within the past century.
The wisdom of this world stands in direct opposition to the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-31). No matter who is speaking, if their wisdom conflicts with the wisdom of God, we must cast it off. His Word will endure forever (1 Peter 1:22-25). Yet, in every season, Satan works to undermine the truth. We cannot be ignorant of Satan’s tactics and methods (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Recognize What to Believe.
Go to Scripture.
The Bible is the Word of God. The Word of God is the greatest resource to provide discernment (Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:91-105). This book of perfect unity, written by over 40 authors over 1500 years contains the wisdom you need to live today. God’s Word is trustworthy. Compare the teaching, information, and ideologies you hear with the clear teaching of God’s Word. Compare world events and Biblical prophesies. (For example, compare Jude, and 2 Peter 3 with what we see in today’s world.)
Do not rush to judgment.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (James 1:19). Proverbs 18:13 teaches, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” In the age of social media, most people feel that they must comment immediately upon every new story that breaks. As people responsible for speaking the truth, it is prudent to wait until the full picture can be seen. President Coolidge quipped, “I have never been hurt by anything I didn’t say.” Often, the best thing we can do is wait and be quiet. Great harm arises from hasty words.
Go back to the teaching of God’s Word.
Once you learn exactly what has been said, go back to the Word of God and discover His mind about the matter. His Word is perfect (Psalm 12:6-7; 19:7-11). Why do I repeat this principle? Because we tend to stray from the Word of God, but we need God’s wisdom for all of life! If you want to understand what is happening in an ever-changing world, fix your heart on the unchanging Word of God. The Word of God speaks to much of what we see unfolding around us. For centuries, God’s Word has stood against every assault imaginable – it will continue to stand. God promises to give you wisdom, as you seek Him in faith (James 1).
Speak the Truth to Those Who Do Not Believe.
A Seeking World
Our world is longing for people who will stay committed to the truth. Seeking someone who will speak the truth no matter what. Speaking the truth requires knowledge of, love for, and dedication to what is true. Sinners will sin because they need the truth of the Gospel. Are you seeking to reach the lost around you? Millions are seeking the fulfillment and wholeness found in Jesus alone.
A Silent Church
Amid the confusion and wickedness, men and women must declare the truth. Who better than the “pillar and ground” (1 Timothy 3:15) of the truth? We look to our culture and political commentators to guide our thinking instead of He who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10-11). Deception is enabled by those, who knowing the truth, remain silent. Bonhoeffer wrote that “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
Consider the strong words of Proverbs 24:10-12: “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” We live in a perishing world. Evil men are rising against families, churches, morality, and even our frameworks of civilization. Courage is required. Refuse to be silent. If there was ever a time to “speak the truth in love,” it is now!
A Solemn Principle
This generation is perishing for lack of truth. The prophet Hosea recorded God’s indictment of His people “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.”
Sometimes we think there are strictly political solutions to world problems. While the Word of God can guide every area of life, we must address the foundational problem – SIN. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). We must ask God to cleanse our hearts and teach us how we ought to live. (Learn more about this in Scott’s book, The Need of Our Nation.) We must point sinners to the One who is Truth.
If we invested more time searching for the wisdom of God than we waste finding the foolishness of men – perhaps our hearts would be more settled (Psalm 16:8). When you don’t know what to believe, go back to the Source of truth: the Word of God. Test everything you hear by Word, and seek God’s wisdom in how to respond. Nothing takes God by surprise. His wisdom is always available and applicable.
We are not the first generation to face the challenges of deception. Ultimately, we will not be the last. Each generation faces battles that demand boldness and courage. Like Joshua, may we heed God’s call to walk in truth:
“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).
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