We are just a week and a half away from the start of the NFL season, and there are so many opinions, reports, misleading information, and stats swirling around.
One day a beat reporter claims a particular running back is going to be this year’s starter, while the next day the coach makes it seem the player might not even make the team.
Although one TV show hypes up a certain player for the upcoming season, another one determines that same player is going to be a bust.
A story might come out about a player still struggling with an injury, and then another news outlet says the player is looking healthy and ready to go for the upcoming season.
Knowing who to believe and what conflicting information is true makes this a crazy time of year. It causes us to want the real games to begin even faster so then we can finally figure out what’s really going on with these NFL players.
The more we follow our favorite teams throughout the season and experience games for ourselves, however, the better understanding we have of the truth.
We gain insight that allows us to know when media members and other fans make claims that may be off base. When fans don’t know any better because of their lack of understanding, they can start believing this false information.
Unfortunately, this same issue can be a problem within the church. Many people blindly listen to pastors or teachers without having a personal knowledge of the Bible. Then, when they hear conflicting sermons or misinterpretations, they don’t know what to believe.
Although learning from wise pastors and teachers with sound doctrine is crucial, there may be times when an opinion is given (viewed as fact) or a verse is accidentally taken out of context. If we aren’t studying scripture on our own and experiencing God one-on-one, we won’t know how to discern truth from false information. Just as we develop trust for sports reporters who are reliable and truthful, we can trust pastors who consistently speak truth with Spirit-inspired messages. But, we must make sure we’re pursuing God on our own and seeking a deeper understanding of scripture, so we have the discernment to know the difference. Romans 15:4 (ESV) explains the value in knowing the meaning of God’s Word: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”
By having a relationship with Jesus, we can also know and experience truth. 1 John 5:20 (ESV) tells us, “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
When Jesus returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent in order to direct us. John 16:13 (ESV) says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”
Today, let’s seek the truth…let’s pursue understanding…and let’s desire a heart aligned with God.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please show me Your truth as I study scripture, and help me discern what is not consistent with Your Word. Thank you for Jesus and the Holy Spirit, so that I have the ability to know the truth. I pray I would have a heart that seeks You and what is true. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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