Are you listening to truth? Are you verifying what you hear or read is truth? Are you seeking to know the truth? Or do you prefer to hear what you want, what is pleasing, what makes you feel good? Will you seek out sound teaching? Do you understand the ramifications of turning away from truth?
We sometimes refer to hard truth, meaning truth we don’t want to hear or truth that comes at a cost to us. Though there are times when we must hear a hard truth, it typically comes after we have strayed away from the truth. It is what we need to hear to get back on the right path.
Sometimes I miss my days of serving in the Marine Corps. As Marines, we spoke truth to one another. It may be harsh and tactless, at times, because people’s lives were on the line. But we all knew we needed to hear that truth and obey the commands given. Even if the truth stung initially, we quickly rid ourselves of the sting, understanding the gravity of the situation.
One of the things I had to adapt to as I moved into corporate America was to soften the messages I spoke to employees and customers. There was an expectation to be politically tactful. We often joked, though with an understanding it was generally the way we operated, that the customer was always right. Unfortunately, that is not true. Just as children don’t always know they need to be told they are wrong, each of us need it at times.
We might think the Apostle Paul was prophesying about our current culture when he says people will turn away from truth and seek to hear what they want, even if it is lies. Yet, this is nothing new. Paul likely experienced in his day as well. Pursuing truth is not always easy. Speaking truth is not always easy. But it is only when we hear and know the truth that we can make correct decisions. If the truth upsets us, we are likely seeking our own selfish desires and falling for lies.
I pray we all seek to know the truth. I pray we turn away from the lies we hear in our society today. I pray each one of us seek sound teaching and live by the truth of the Word of God. Seek the truth. Seek sound teaching. Turn away from lies. Live by the truth of God.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.
Marty Pressey 