KNOWING THE TRUTH

by Pastor Timothy Fortune

With modern technology at an all time high, and the ability to duplicate or reproduce items ever increasing, it is sometimes hard to know the real from the fake. Money is one of the hot items people attempt to reproduce. I find the processes authorities who seek counterfeiters use to distinguish between real and counterfeit very interesting. They don’t spend hours trying to know every single counterfeit, but what they do is study the real thing. They know every detail of the currency. What it is made of, all the little details, the watermarks, even markings so small you need a magnifying glass to see. The reason they do this is so when they come across a fake they know immediately that it’s not real.

As believers we need to take this same principle and apply it to our lives. There are a lot of counterfeit religions and even those trying to take parts of the truth and twisting them. Do we need to be worried about counterfeiters? No. Jesus said there would be many that would come trying to deceive and lead astray. But what you and I can do is study the truth. Know what Scripture says, learn it inside and out, and commit it to memory. Don’t depend on your pastor to give you everything you need. It is wonderful to go to church and listen to good Bible teaching, but don’t stop with that. Set aside a certain time everyday to study the truth. That way, when something comes along that is a counterfeit you will immediately know, and can warn others as well as avoid it yourself.

Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our teacher. Scripture says that He will teach us and lead us into all truth. (John 16:7-14) So, as you are studying Scripture, ask the Holy Spirit to open up your understanding and reveal to you the truth. By all means, don’t let the language of the King James Version hinder you. There are many good translations available that have been translated into contemporary language for better understanding.

Knowing the truth will also help you become a better witness for Jesus. Knowing Scripture will give you confidence when you are talking to someone about being born again or spiritual matters. Paul said be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us, both in season and out of season. You never know when you are going to be faced with a question about truth, but it’s always good to be prepared. John 8:31&32 says, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciple indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”