Discerning Truth
October 19, 2024 — Laura House
Understanding the truth has always been important to me…even when it’s not what I really want to hear. In our world today, truth often seems to be in short supply. Much of what we hear spoken and claimed as fact, simply isn’t true. Interestingly, if a discerning person calls someone out on a false statement, it’s usually dismissed by simply saying that they “misspoke” or “stretched the truth”.... otherwise known as lying. I’ve discovered that investing time in researching the data myself is imperative to discovering the truth.
When Gary and I were raising our three children, we made a point of stressing the importance of always telling the truth. I can hear myself after some awful incident happened saying, “If you tell me the truth, there might be a punishment. BUT, if you lie to me, that is a whole other issue. You will be in big trouble.” When confronted with those options, usually the truth prevailed.
Nathan was a terrible liar and rarely tried it, usually confessing when he was the instigator of something. The closest he came to a lie was when he was five years old and had dismantled a short brick walkway that Gary had constructed. Apparently for some reason, removing some of the bricks was just too much of a temptation for him. When Gary asked him if he did it, Nathan responded, “Daddy, it was either me or someone else.” Very diplomatic!
After Nathan died, I discovered something about grief. It makes us vulnerable to lies.
We can begin to believe lies about ourselves. “His death is my fault. I should’ve known. I should’ve protected him. I must have been a terrible parent.”
And we may believe lies about God. “He isn’t the loving God that I thought He was or this wouldn’t have happened. He is punishing me. He doesn’t care about me.”
In John 8:44, Jesus says that the devil is the “father of lies.” Whether or not you are in the middle of grief right now, you are a target of his lies. 1 Peter 5:8 states, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
So what can we do to recognize the lies when they come? That’s “half the battle” — having the discernment to know that something is not true. First, when you are grieving and the accusations begin to form in your mind, don’t just believe them! Go to the Lord and His Word. There is nothing more powerful than the Word of God to provide truth, comfort, and strength.
Pray for the discernment you need to recognize the lies and to know the truth. James 1:5 instructs, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
We also need to do what Ephesians 6:10-18 tell us, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” This passage provides a clear picture of exactly how we can be ready for battle. At the end of the recent Our Hearts Are Home conference, we talked about the armor of God, and each attendee received a metal coin imprinted with the various parts of the verse. It’s a reminder to put on the armor, and wholly trust the One who loves us most and the only One who can truly comfort our broken hearts.
It’s also important to remember that while we are in a spiritual battle here on earth, when we are trusting the Lord, we do not need to be afraid! He is in control. He is sovereign. We know how this story ends!
One day we’ll lay down our armor at the feet of Jesus, but until then, let’s put on the full armor, trust our Savior, and live our lives to glorify Him.
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Take a moment to read Ephesians 6:10-18 and envision what it means to you today, in the midst of the battles in your own life.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.”
