How Do I Know What's True?
Reframing Your Worldview (Part 2)
March 6-10, 2006

Jesus said: "The truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV)

As little as fifty years ago, people in America generally agreed on right and wrong. But slowly, over time, we have lost our moral compass. Today, the signs of moral decline are all around you. Just last year, nearly every major magazine in the nation had an article about the breakdown of our morals. What is going on? Leading indicators that we suffer from truth decay include: immaturity (children are always changing their minds); immorality (when there is not a standard of right and wrong, anything goes); unreality (when we stop believing the truth, we'll believe anything); illegality (where there is no standard of right and wrong, everything is legal); idolatry (worshipping the wrong things); and injustice (when there is no standard of right or wrong, you can get away with anything). Moral relativism, or post-modernism, says there are no absolutes. But that statement is 1) illogical - this is itself an absolute statement, and 2) irrational - the entire world operates on absolutes. Today, tolerance has supplanted truth as having higher value. Yet even tolerance has been redefined. Once it meant, "Though we disagree, I still respect you." Today it means, "All values are equally valid." That, of course, is nonsense. In a world this confusing, how can we know what is true? Let's take a close-up look at five ways:

MONDAY

I KNOW WHAT'S TRUE THROUGH CREATION.
[Your Objective: Study nature to learn the truth.]

Romans 1:20 tells us that God's invisible qualities can be seen through what?

  • What kinds of natural phenomena most indicate to you that God exists?
  • When observing these natural wonders, what do they tell you about God's character?
  • What absolute truths exist in the laws of nature?

Worship (Magnification) - All creation magnifies God. Nature itself is an expression of God's greatness. On a daily basis, take time to observe and marvel at the natural world around you. It is amazing what you see when you look for it, from the smallest detail to the largest. In addition to observing God's work in nature daily, whenever you feel disconnected from God, spend time outside to soak up His abundance. Take a moment right now to step outside and enjoy the wonder of God's creation.

TUESDAY

I KNOW WHAT'S TRUE THROUGH CONSCIENCE.
[Your Objective: Be aware of absolute truths revealed through your conscience.]

  • According to Romans 2:14-15, what will be written on peoples' hearts, even if they don't have the law? Discuss situations when people hear their conscience say one thing, but they do another. You don't always need to be told right from wrong. Most of the time, you know the right thing to do. For example, you know it's right to help an elderly person across the street. What are some other examples of right/wrong situations that might not be as obvious.
  • The world is full of "good" people who are not Christians. How can you show these individuals that their conscience is a creation of God?

Ministry - Through the power of your conscience, you sense the ministry God has for you. What area of service has your conscience been reminding you about lately that you may have ignored or pushed to the side because you were too busy? Is God calling you to be of service to others? Have you attended C.L.A.S.S. 101, C.L.A.S.S. 201 and C.L.A.S.S. 301? If not, listen to your conscience. God might be calling you. If you have completed all these classes, take a spiritual inventory today and ask God to show you what area of you spiritual life you need most to work on in order to better serve others in your church.

WEDNESDAY

I KNOW WHAT'S TRUE THROUGH CONSIDERATION.
[Your Objective: Learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to instruct you in God's Word.]

How does Proverbs 14:15 contrast the thought process of fools and those who are wise or prudent?

Read John 3:31-33 in several versions. What does this passage tell us about how we can know the truth?

Who is the helper referred to in John 14:16-17? Why is he our helper?

  • How does God's Word provide purpose for your life?
  • Why is it important to examine your own behavior in the light of God's Word?
  • What happens when you listen for God's Spirit to speak to you through God's Word?

Discipleship (Maturity) - As you grow in Christ, you become more attuned to His voice speaking to you through Scripture. Reflect on a time when the truth from God's Word helped you find purpose for your life.

THURSDAY

I KNOW WHAT'S TRUE THROUGH GOD'S COMMANDMENTS.
[Your Objective: To encourage some one using Scripture.]

How does God instruct you to use Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16? What power does God's Word have in your life?

  • Why is it important to fellowship around God's Word?
  • How could you use God's Word to encourage some one?

Fellowship (Membership) - God uses membership in His family to help you keep His commandments and grow in the knowledge of His Word. Compare and contrast what fellowship would be like with or without God's Word. Plan a fun and creative way to use Scripture to encourage someone you know.

FRIDAY

I KNOW WHAT'S TRUE THROUGH CHRIST.
[Your Objective: Understand the truth of Christ.]

How do we come to the Father, in John 14:6?

  • Why do people have a hard time accepting Christ as the only way to know God?

In John 3:33, what do those who believe discover?

  • How can you know Christ better?
  • Why is it important to share what you know about Christ with others?
  • How can Christians exemplify a life of truth?

Mission (Evangelism) - When you know God's truth, you have a responsibility to share it with others. Consider strengthening your grasp of His truth by examining the evidence in God's Word. In what ways can you share that evidence with others.

SATURDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Your Objective: Know what to do with the truth.]

God's Word tells you how to personally combat truth decay. Consider these questions:

  • Immaturity: When do I act childish? See Ephesians 4:14 for God's remedy.
  • Immorality: What am I trying to rationalize? Read Ephesians 4:19 and Proverbs 14:9 to discover what God thinks of this behavior.
  • Unreality: What am I faking? Discover what God's Word says about denying the truth in 2 Thessalonians 2:12.
  • Illegality: Am I cheating at the edges of life? Proverbs 29:18 tells us how these decisions begin.
  • Idolatry: What have I been idolizing? What does Romans 1:25 say I am replacing God with?
  • Injustice: Is there anything I have been getting away with? See Isaiah 59:14 for the end result of this life choice.

Once you know the truth, what does God want you to do with it? Meditate on these four actions and what they will look like in your life:

Believe it: "But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don't drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News." (Colossians 1:23 NLT)

Do it: "But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already." (Philippians 3:16 NLT)

Stand for it: "Our responsibility is never to oppose the truth, but to stand for the truth at all times." (2 Corinthians 13:8 NLT)

Spread it [by going on or supporting those who go on mission trips]: "We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth." (3 John 1:8 GW)

What is your standard of truth? Consider making your choice not internal or external - but eternal. God's Truth is always right.