HOW DO I KNOW WHAT’S TRUE?
BELIEVE
“Learn the truth and never reject it. Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23 (NCV)
SIGNS OF “TRUTH DECAY” IN A CULTURE
IMMATURITY
Truth Decay: “I can change my mind anytime I want to, and I can do whatever I want to do.”
Result: “A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order…” Proverbs 29:18 (GNT)
Truth: “For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6:5 (NLT)
“[Let us] no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like truth.” Ephesians 4:14 (TLB)
Ask yourself:
• When do I act childish?
• When do I tend to be irresponsible?
• When do I tend to pass the buck?
• In what areas of my life do I tend to blame other people?
IMMORALITY
Truth Decay: “I can do what I feel I want to do.”
Result: “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” Judges 21:25
“They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are
filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.” Ephesians 4:19
Truth: “… Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires…” Colossians 3:5
Ask yourself:
What am I trying to rationalize? What am I trying to rationalize in my life?
UNREALITY
Truth Decay: “Whatever I think is true is to me is true”
Result: “Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.” 2 Thessalonians 2:12 (MSG)
Truth: Jesus “… You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV)
Ask yourself:
Where am I faking it? Or what am I faking? What am I pretending?
ILLEGALITY
Truth Decay: “I can do what I believe is right and what I can get away with.”
Result: “Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild…” Proverbs 29:18 (TLB)
Truth: The 10 commandments (Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5)
IDOLATRY
Truth Decay: “I can do whatever I want with what I have.”
Result: “Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. They worshipped the things God made but not the Creator Himself.” Romans 1:25
Truth: “… Flee from Idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:14
“Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves.” Leviticus 19
Ask yourself:
What have I been idolizing? What has been occupying my mind, my heart and my strength and my resources? What has become a little bit too important for me?
INJUSTICE
Truth Decay: “I deserve what I got…they deserve what they got.”
Result: “Our courts oppose [people who are] righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth [falls dead] in the streets, and [fairness] has been outlawed.” Isaiah 59:14 (NLT)
Truth: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and please the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1:17
“Learn the truth and never reject it. Get wisdom, self-control, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23 (NCV)
Ask yourself:
Who have I taken advantage of?