by God's Little Boy
© MakeshiftDarkroom.com 2013
Posted 11/1/13

How important is truth!

The plumb line, the objective standard, the undeviating steadfastness of true north!

The world is filled with knowledge, and in our day we have seen this to be true. Knowledge has increased. The scriptures have prophetically declared this from the days of old. The earth is filled with knowledge and such knowledge fuels every philosophy and purpose under the sun. There is, however, a knowledge that fails to lead men to the truth. "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7) For certain, such knowledge has become a substitute for the truth to all who fail to receive the love of the truth.

For us who believe, and who have been delivered from this degree of deception, the challenge is of a different nature. It is needful for us to be correct (spiritually correct) in the knowledge of God - to reach correct conclusions as we handle the word of God. Many theologians are brilliant and gifted thinkers with a passion for Bible knowledge. They are academically capable and well versed in the scriptures, but some fall short of the truth as it pertains to the true nature and heart of God. Sometimes we are surprised and somewhat disappointed by the doctrinal positions taken by some. How could this be? How could so much knowledge and dedication fall short? The answer lies in the fact that with knowledge, which is essential, there must also be the leading of the Spirit. In coming to the knowledge of the truth we must be Spirit taught in the obedience of faith. The Spirit taught life is the path to the knowledge of the truth.

"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2: 10-16)

"The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way." (Psalm 25:9)

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:17)

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:13-15)

There is a proper balance that is to be maintained between the objective Word and the Holy Spirit. God illuminates the heart through the word of God and by his Spirit - the word and the Spirit. One who is weightier in the word than the Spirit may "see" the word often through his own understanding. And the one who is lacking in the word claiming a spiritual understanding may err not knowing the scriptures. The Christian is in need of both wisdom and might in equal measure - the wisdom of God's word and the might of the Holy Spirit's illuminating power. "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:" (Daniel 2:20)

We must be Spirit taught and be under men who are also Spirit taught. By the grace of God, I am fortunate to have been under men who know the book and know God. There are many voices proclaiming the word of God today, I hear many of them on the radio and in the media. As I listen, I endeavor to hear with a discerning ear, not for the purpose of criticism. but because I am admonished by God to hear carefully. What we hear will effect and shape our thinking. What we hear is of highest importance because we will become what we hear, and what we hear will ultimately determine who and what we will be for all eternity. In glory, we will be adorned with the "light" that we have possessed as our own. This is why it is so important to choose our teachers well and hear God speak regardless of who teaches our outer ear. I believe that divine sovereignty also has a part in what men receive from God. God chooses the measure that is given and to whom that measure is given. It should also be noted, however, that the greater the response and reverence to the truth the greater the portion that will be given. " For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away." (Matthew 13:12) Amplified

Gleaning truth from different portions in the body of Christ is like eating chicken. We are careful to eat the meat that the Spirit of God gives us through the communicator while leaving out the bones. When we listen to the word of God being communicated we are listening with our outer ear, but we should also hear what the Spirit of God is saying to our inner ear. In "listening" we must be careful to "hear"- "listening" to the voice of men, but "hearing" the voice of God. Often times, through the Spirit, We may receive something entirely different than that which is being communicated - not that what is being communicated is necessarily wrong, but God may give us what he wants to specifically teach us, instead. God does not give everything to any one man, and he never will, but we can purpose to get as much as we can, as far as we are concerned. We should glean the best from the portions that God gives us and recognize what is not to be gleaned in any particular portion. Through the Spirit of God we prove all things and hold fast to that which is good - if God has so granted us such discernment.

Those prophets who teach the Lord's heritage have a most serious calling. Many of them are exceptionally gifted, many of them are dynamic in their presentation and communication of the Bible. Many of them are charismatic, successful, popular, reputable, knowledgable, even effective and faithful. They may be all of those wonderful things, but when all is said and done they had better be CORRECT... Correct with respect to properly representing the nature of God and the weightier matters of the truth - rightly dividing the heart and soul of the whole counsel of God and the ways and attributes of God. This is what is most needed; so that men and women may have everything they need to truly know God, be fitted for eternity, and equipped to sojourn victoriously through this dark world in faith.

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