How do we discover Truth?

3 ingredients that affect the “taste of instruction”

From an early age I have tasted the fruit of instruction (read “instruction”, as in feedback, constructive criticism, or correction). Initially I did not like it at all because it always brought me face to face with the reality of my shortcomings. The Bible instucts "A truly good friend will openly correct you. You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies." (Proverbs chapter 27 verses 5 and 6)

Over the years, I've learned that the fruit of instruction can taste sweet, bitter-sweet, bitter, or you could choke on it.

I believe “the taste of instruction” is dependent on 3 ingredients: (1) the recipient - the person receiving the instruction, (2) the ego of the recipient, and (3) the provider – the person giving the instruction.

1. The Recipient could be either willing/committed to receiving instruction or firmly unwilling to listen to any instruction (actually most of us are somewhere in-between depending on topic).
2. The Ego of the recipient could be small or large (realistically all of us are somewhere in between the two extremes).
3. The Provider could approach the situation either in a humble/compassionate way or in a totally derogatory manner (I think most providers are somewhere in-between depending on attitude, skill and competency).

So, what will “instruction” taste like if we mix the 3 ingredients? Here’s what I’ve learned to expect:

• SWEET: Anytime the recipient is willing to receive instruction, has a small ego, and the provider is humble.
• BITTER-SWEET: Anytime the recipient is willing, and one or both of the following are true: the ego is large, and/or the provider is derogatory. The sweetness comes from the participant being willing to learn in all situations. The amount of bitterness is directly proportionate to the amount of ego and the level of derogatory attitude of the provider.
• BITTER: Anytime the recipient is unwilling to receive instruction.
• CHOKE HAZARD: The recipient is unwilling to receive instruction, has a large ego, and the provider is derogatory. (Ouch!)

If looks could kill

I was looking through some of the pictures I had taken these last few months deciding which ones would be worth keeping. It was hard to decide. Don’t get me wrong, they are not all masterpieces; on the contrary, they are average family pictures with the subject out of focus, not centered, or in bad lighting.

Which reminds me of something I have heard from a speaker recently – it seems that in our American society “looking good” and “feeling good” have replaced “being good” and “doing good” as primary core values. With messages like “image is everything” and popular media focusing so much on looks, no wander we have lost our perspective.

So what can we do about it? Actually, more to the point, what do I do about it? I have to have my values straight, my priorities in order, and the discipline to hold on to them. I believe I will need at least two things: (1) a daily “recalibration” and rededication to my values, (2) a set of values that are timeless (i.e. they do not change based on trends or the latest jargon). I already have a set of timeless values from the Scriptures, now I have to focus on the daily discipline to be the man that God intends me to be.

...like an annoying song

I recently had to return several library books that my family had checked out. As I was placing each one in the return bin, two words from the title of one of the books stood out to me – it read “Going Solo…”

I did not think much of it at the time, but the title stuck with me. I thought about it later that afternoon. I thought about it the next day, and the next, and the next. It was like an annoying song that gets in your head, and you keep singing over and over in your mind.

I’m not an expert in how the mind works, but while I was thinking about “Going Solo…” there were several other thoughts that “danced” around it; here they are in no particular order.

We live in a culture that admires individuality. We love (generally speaking) the “Lone Ranger”, “Superman”, “Indiana Jones”, and “Rocky”. So we admire people who beat the odds – but are they really going SOLO?

• We are NOT created to be lone rangers. If that was the case, then solitary confinement would be an enjoyable pass time rather than something they use in prisons.
• There is something very selfish about “going solo” – no one else to worry about, my rules, my time, my life. I will do what I want to do and no one can tell me otherwise.
• “Going solo” temps us to think simplistically. But we are not simple creatures. All of us at one time or another have struggled (are struggling) with questions of origin (who am I, where did I come from), meaning (why am I here, what is my purpose in this life, I want to do something meaningful), morality (what is the right thing, who can set the standard for right and wrong, what is justice), and destiny (what happens when/after I die, is there an eternity).

Think about it…

going classic

After the Thanksgiving Holiday Jennie and I decided to get her cross-country skis fixed and buy some used ones for the boys. Since money does not grow on trees at our house, we started by doing our homework. We checked sales, looked online, talked it over, and then decided the best fit for our needs and our budget (yeap, reality). It was quite a process but in the end we decided against buying new -- so we went “vintage” (aka pre-owned, dated, antique, second hand, used, historic, classic, old).

There is a strange dichotomy about “going classic”. On one hand no one wants old junk like a pre-owned toothbrush, or a used match; but on the other hand it’s easy to appreciate a classic car, an antique statue, an old fine wine, or a historic mansion. Since “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure”, the trick is knowing the difference between real junk and authentic treasure.

This “trick” is not limited just to our physical world (like skis, cars, or mansions); I believe it applies to ideas and life-models as well. Old ideas should not necessarily be dismissed because they are old; and new ideas should not be embraced just because they are new. Let me illustrate. “Thou shall not murder because God said so.” is a very old idea. In a society that is pushed more and more toward violence, this idea becomes even more valuable. So in our world that is filled with instant information and focused on the newest upgrade filled with the latest features, we need be very selective so that we don’t end up with junk instead of treasure.

Well, now that we have our new old skis, I’m so glad for the Internet since it helped us with our ski purchase. But I’m even more thankful for The Bible since it provides clear guidance regarding real junk and authentic treasure.

And Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:22-34

commitment

Powerful words of commitment from an African martyr.

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed.I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made - I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and I labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough but my Guide is reliable.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work until He stops me. And, when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me...my banner will be clear."

I heard it recently from Muriithi Wanjau (guest speaker) when I attended a mid-week Harvest Fest service at Elmbrook church.

so, why is that?

I know, many of us have heard the Bible stories retold; we have seen touching videos that remind us about God; and we may have read good inspiring books that discuss the words of the Bible – and all these are good. But if that's all we did to "keep in touch" with God, I think we missed something.

Here are a few questions that may help illustrate my point:

Have you neglected to read the real thing, the original, the living Word of God in favor of another good book? Does it seem easier to read books about the Bible rather than the Bible? Why is that?

Have you stopped getting together with God in intimate conversation? What was the longest time you have spent in prayer? Do you run out of things to say when you pray? Do you get sleepy when you pray? Why is that?

Are you placing less value on corporate worship (i.e. going to church) than you used to? Why is that?

Do you feel ok talking about God with your friends, but feel a little uncomfortable talking about the Lord Jesus Christ with them? Why is that?

Do you think about God as a constant companion? If you do, how often do you consult with him during the day? Do you find it more helpful to talk to a friend about a problem or to bring it before God? Why is that?

Do you know what your friend would want you to do in a particular situation but you struggle to know what God would want you to do? Why is that?

Do you long for the weekend more than you long for God? Why is that?

I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63: 2-4)

in the midst of war

If you read the front pages of newspapers, it seems that war is all around us. Regardless of how many troops and bombs we hear about in the news, we can't forget that, as Christians, our struggle is not against people but rather against evil spiritual powers.

"We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world." Ephesians 6:12 (Contemporary English Version)

I have a question for you (which I am also dealing with myself)... If you were in the middle of a dramatic spiritual cosmic battle how would you recognize it ? What would an attack look like?

In my immediate surroundings it seems there is no war to deal with.

 

I live in an ordinary house... in a very peaceful neighborhood... I go to a regular 9 to 5 job... and have a great family. There is no light saber that I can strap at my side, or Jedi master to impart wisdom, and there are definitely no imperial forces surrounding my city.

 

... how do you see (or experience) the spiritual battle mentioned in Ephesians ?