Truth Is A Vital Element

I found an interesting article on "workplace behavior" in the Globe and Mail newspaper this morning. It's entitled The truth, the whole truth...

Even though it was written with the typical workplace in mind, I found that much of the advice (and warnings) could also be applied to blogging.

The article link shares much more detail, but in summary, I found the following points applicable to blogging:

* Before trying to change anything, understand the dynamics that cause people to withhold the truth.

Can everyone (well, almost everyone) agree that bias is a strong component which can hinder getting to the truth in the blogosphere? I know that this is true in my discussions. One person's "study" or "poll" vs. another person's counter "study" or "poll" are all the rage!

There are organization that live by a biased viewpoint and therefore, their "studies," "polls," and even their conclusions could be wrought with error due to their own bias.

How many times have we seen this?

Hundreds!

So how do we discern truth from error?

From whom (or, in my case Whom) does absolute truth come from?

Ask an atheistic evolutionist and you will probably learn that he/she gets his/her "truth" from science and man's knowledge about the physical world.

Ask a born-again, Biblical worldview Christian and you will find that he/she holds that God's Word and Jesus Christ are where Truth is ultimately found. Man's knowledge is secondary and science is a discipline that is always just "catching up to God."

*Train people to communicate with evidence and facts, rather than conjecture.

But it depends on a person's bias as to what constitutes "conjecture" and how, where, why, and what such evidence and facts are revealed.

* Demonstrate honesty and plain-speaking, starting with senior management.

Heh heh. I love this one as it applies to my Talkwisdom blogspot. In the land of worldviews, doesn't it make a huge difference from whence such a worldview comes from? I know that my Senior Manager is Jesus Christ and His Word.

Who is yours??

I have been accused, at times, of not sharing topics "honestly." Usually, this is a direct result of the person's bias against the Biblical worldview on such issues. Many of my worldview opponents have expressed dislike (or ridicule) for sharing Bible verses in my responses. Their claim is that the Bible doesn't mean anything to them so why should I try to convince them that it has any merit in the discussions? The reason is just because they may not consider the Bible as God's Word and ultimate Truth, doesn't mean that it isn't!

* Talk up the advantages and successes of truth-telling and let everyone know it is expected and valued.

Admittedly, this can be difficult. People do not want their biases countered; even if the truth is being shared with them! The subjects of this blog concern morality, ethics, Godly living, traditional family, and the subject of "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" that is, the Bible.

Unfortunately, people can twist the meanings of Scripture to suit their own needs, desires and biases. But the correct interpretation of Scripture has indeed survived the test of time because most scholars adhere to Sola Scriptura, exegesis, and hermenuetics in their commentaries.

Want to know what I have found?

There is a striking similarity of agreement amongst born-again Christian believers (who, btw, have never even met except through the blogosphere ) because they each commit themselves to Bible study. They follow each of the elements (above) that most scholars use when writing their commentaries. Isn't that amazing? No. It's the Holy Spirit's leading!

* Consider and evaluate what the consequences would be if you spoke candidly. Are they grounded in reality?

Depends on which worldview a person adheres to, doesn't it? There are commenters who post here that maintain a secular humanistic worldview so they generally claim that the "Bible-thumpers" are not grounded in their view of reality.

I wonder if they ever saw the movie, the Matrix??

There is a reality that is unseen; as Jesus told his disciples many times over the course of his three year ministry on earth.

Doubting Thomas was given the lesson of a lifetime when he had the opportunity to place his fingers in the crucifixion scars of Jesus after Jesus' resurrection. What was his conclusion? He realized that Jesus was, "his Lord and his God." Jesus told Thomas, "you believe because you have seen me; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."

Speaking candidly can often be difficult when it comes to evangelism. There are consequences to the non-believer that we must share and it often doesn't sit well with the unregenerate hearer. No one likes to be told the bad news of their sinful condition and how it will keep them from reconciliation with God in eternity if they don't confess, repent, and invite Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of their lives. However, each of us must face this fact. It is only then that the mercy, grace, regeneration, and sanctification process can begin within the life of the new believer. Yes. It takes but a moment to make the decision, yet a lifetime to sanctify the believer.

* Speaking the truth requires knowing the truth. Get your facts straight before addressing any situation.

Knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior enables the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide the believer unto all truth. Study of the Bible and applying it in our lives enables us to (as Jesus said) "know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

There are so may worldviews that one could follow.

How do we determine the truth of God if we don't know and understand what is in His Word??

I have studied the Bible for over 18 years now and I could study it till I'm 100 and still not know all of the truth it reveals. However, I know enough to be solidly confident in my faith and to share it with others.

That's the beauty of it. You don't need to "know it all" you just need to know Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That's why even a "baby" Christian can help lead someone to salvation through the Gospel of Christ. It is simple enough for a child to comprehend, but God's Word is eternal, ongoing in it's knowledge so that one could never be satisfied that "he/she knows it all." Isn't that phenomenal to realize? There is no other book like it on earth!

* Expect to feel uncomfortable. Often truth-telling creates short-term discomfort for you and others, but over the longer term, it creates better relationships and results.

Wow! Does this describe our evangelism efforts to non-believers or what fellow Christians!! The Holy Spirit was working this morning between the lives of myself and my dear sister in Christ, Susan Smith from Jerusalem. She sent me an awesome newsletter on this very subject. I'm awaiting her answer (she's probably sleeping now!) to blogpost about it. When I hear back from her, I will post it in a new blogpost. *

Truth-telling in Christian evangelism makes the recipient uncomfortable. No doubt about that! But such "uncomfortableness" is necessary in order to hear, receive and ultimately (hopefully, prayerfully) have the recipient accept what Jesus Christ has done for them at the cross! The joy of salvation and the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be experienced until the "bad news" of our sinful nature is exposed. That's just the way it is!

* Use straightforward language and check the impact of what you have said with the recipients.

Again, this is very valuable to those who are involved in the "Great Commission" of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have had Christian friends and aquaintances tell me not to be so harsh, abrasive and contrary towards non-believers. Then, I hear testimonies of those who were trapped in former sinful lifestyles who actually needed the Bible thumped on their head (figuratively speaking, of course) in order to "get it" and be born again.

All types are needed to minister to all types out there in the world...amen?? Of course we could all use tempering in our approaches towards people. I do appreciate my Christian brothers and sisters who share opinions and ideas too help me grow stronger in my relationship with the Lord and in my ministering efforts with people. We must each keep in mind that we are not perfect (and won't be on this side of heaven), just forgiven by the God of the universe who is!

Straightforward language is often preferable when attempting to evangelize the non-believer rather than quoting the Bible. I an still learning that it is often more successful to write in simpler language and give a reference to the verse or just place quotes around the portion of the verse that I am sharing.

* Address situations with the truth early, when issues are relatively small, rather than letting them fester into a full-blown confrontation.

Ha! Easier said than done! My blog has often become a log of full-blown confrontations!

I will need to elaborate on this more when I return. Would love to read your comments, impressions, agreements, disagreements, confrontational rants, etc. when I return!

Comment away!

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*Update, 5:52 p.m. Decided to post it here!

Here is Susan's newsletter.

I am posting it in the comment section and also in the original blogpost.

Christine

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Welcome to a new reader from the United Kingdom. He is the first reader of this newsletter from the country of England and he works with my organization's guest and group relations here in Jerusalem. This young man exhibits humility and a maturity in Christ I have seldom seen in Christians his age.

Is there any person on earth who does not need salvation? Is there a single person physically alive today who does not need deliverance from one sin or another? We all need salvation, deliverance, healing and wholeness in life that only God can give. Is this a one-time event when it happens in our lives or is it a lifetime experience? Every single time it happens, we can say it is a one-time event, yet it continues to happen in my life over and over again as a daily experience. Does this make sense? It is a paradox as so many things are in God's plan for your life and for mine. It seems like a contradiction in terms. It seems illogical and impossible, but it is a reality in my life. It is unscientific and it is unreasonable to the worldly way of thinking, but it is true.

Jesus the Messiah is the Truth. This sentence alone seems illogical, impossible, unscientific and unreasonable to those who are not true believers. Jesus of Nazareth is the Way and the Life. That idea is preposterous to one who is not a member of the one Church body. Truth appears silly and laughable to unbelievers. This fact can set you up for ridicule, mockery and derision at your job, in the marketplace and even in your local church. Has this ever happened to you? If not, then just how solid is your faith? Do you really believe what you claim to believe in your thoughts?

Could you be a "closet" Christian? By this I mean are you ashamed of your faith or ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you afraid to share your personal testimony with others? Do you fear embarrassment or ridicule? Do you have a testimony? Do you really believe?

Wow! Take it easy, and give me a break. Can you not understand I shudder at the thought of sharing my faith and belief in the Lord Jesus? I am shy and timid and I want to keep the few friends I have. It hurts to be ridiculed and for others to laugh when I am serious. Do you not understand I believe, but I do not think we should force our beliefs on others? We should "live and let live" and not pretend we know it all. After all, others have a right to their own opinion too! Let them live the way they want to live and I will do the same. This argument sounds logical and reasonable. It sounds great! It also gets me off the hook about being embarrassed and trying to talk to others about Jesus. Who are you to tell me what to do anyway?

The above paragraph gives you my thoughts for many years. I recall listening to a number of "hot shot" evangelists who would visit my local church for a "revival" during my teen years in Zephyrhills, Florida. My mind always thought they were "big shots" in the Christian community. They were always "on fire" for the Lord and seemed to have all the answers. When they would preach about the "great commission" my emotions were uncomfortable. It was always a super guilt trip. I felt condemned. Was this the Holy Spirit convicting me or was it the enemy sending fiery darts of guilt and condemnation? Were they trying to make evangelists or missionaries out of everyone? How do you feel when you hear someone telling you to share the gospel with others and if you do not, then you are not obeying God?

The Holy Spirit is our teacher. Can you hear Him? Are you listening? Have you asked God to give you ears to hear the voice of the Spirit? He will answer your prayer. The Lord will give you the desires of your heart when your delight is in Him (see PSALMS 37:4). God has and is giving me the desires of my heart. Two weeks ago, my best friend on earth testified that God has answered all her prayers right after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. My friends, that is the power of God. This friend has no fear. God is her refuge and her fortress (see PSALMS 91:2). She knows His voice and she follows the good Shepherd (see JOHN 10:4). She has ears to hear.

Next week you will read about the weeklong evangelistic outreach of Stephen Bennett Ministries here in the capital city this past week for World Pride 2006. What a blessing to meet these amazing evangelists who were sent by God to Jerusalem. They are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They all have amazing testimonies and they know the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone.

Thinking back about the "big shot" evangelists gives me cause for thought today. We all know a "big shot" is nothing but a "little shot" away from home. The way of the Master is to walk in love. Those who do not believe are not his sheep, because the sheep hear His voice and follow Him (see JOHN 10:26&27). Can you hear? Are you following the Messiah? God bless you from Jerusalem. (ss)

written by Susan Smith, Jerusalem