How to Discern Truth from Error

It’s difficult to know what to believe.  Various opinions on different issues have exploded within our culture, most relying on “peoples opinions”, (popular opinion) to make their determination of “truth”.  

Despite what popular opinion is about the relativism of truth (there are many “truths”), an “absolute truth” does exist.  Absolute, as in "a complete whole not depending upon a relationship to something else” and truth, as in firm, solid, steadfast.  

There is a reality that is firm, solid and steadfast that is a complete whole and does not depend upon a relationship to something else.  Embrace the following five characteristics to be empowered to discern truth from error.

Be Biblical

Bible study equips us to not only know the context of the Bible but to be able to live our a biblical standard in our lives.  Our decisions, our thoughts, our lifestyle, our habits, and definitely our responses to questions and problems in our culture will become filtered through the truths of the Word of God.

Be Devoted to God

When we give God the love and devotion that God deserves, the beckoning of the world where Satan “is top dog” will not entice us. Our minds and hearts become fixed on the God of truth who loves and cares for us, and who can be trusted to guide us in truth, even when error seems to be winning. Just remember that “popular opinion” can, and will, often change, God is forever unchanging.

Be Holy

Holy is derived from an ancient word meaning whole.  Being whole with God is to live in a relationship with God where God is the guiding authority.  The world in which we currently reside has “not God” as its “guiding authority” that seeks to distract us from choosing God as our guiding authority.  Because Christians have chosen Jesus and the guidance of God in our lives we are often quite different from those who choose “not God” as their guiding authority.

Be Wise

Wisdom is essential.  Because, with our finite minds, many issues of truth and error cannot be clearly figured out.  There are always unknown variables for which we may not account.  When we are whole with God and have the Holy Spirit guiding us with the Mind of Christ we can trust that God knows all the details of life, from every perspective, and is ready to share with us the path we need to travel to accomplish the most good for God’s purposes.

Be Prayerful

Because of the onslaught of “popular error” in today’s culture (error meaning a deviation from truth made through an intentional or unintentional not knowing) believers need spiritual power that come only through prayer.  Only in genuine prayer to de surrender issues and questions to God and ask for his divine and powerful guidance, intervention and resolution.