Trained to Understand

Why do we do fire drills? Why go through safety classes at work? Why take a self-defense course? To prepare us for the day that a fire happens, or a high voltage explosion occurs, or we’re attacked at the mall. The reality is that we’re involved in activities every day that will prove to be even more detrimental to our lives.

We are engaged in a battle for our soul. Satan wants to do all within his power to convince us to abandon God and follow our own will while God is passionately revealing the truth about life as often as people will listen.

Satan doesn’t waste time; early on he convinced Eve, along with her husband, to abandon God’s garden paradise for selfish knowledge. He hasn’t lost any steam; from the garden to the patriarchs and the judges, the kings and the prophets, Satan has been consistent. Even Jesus was offered a taste of his tricks (Matthew 4, Luke 4). However, like Jesus, we’re armed for the fight and we must UNDERSTAND the difference between the truth and a lie.

One place this is described is in Hebrews 5:14 where we’re told that “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” The solid food is the meat of God’s word, but that doesn’t necessarily mean “deeper truths,” but understanding – “he who has an ear let him hear.” Jesus warned the church at Thyatira in Revelations 2:23-25, “…I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.” The Christians there failed to have an understanding of God’s will; therefore they were entertaining “the deeper truths, as they call them—depths of Satan, actually.”

The instructions Jesus gave in Revelations 2:25, “hold tightly to what you have until I come,” are the same instructions we can offer one another. Hold tightly to the truth. Matthew 28:20, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Paul helps the Colossians “see” what an understanding of the truth looks like in our daily actions. As we dive into specifics about living by the truth, let’s be proactive in helping our brothers and sisters gain a fuller understanding of God’s word. James 1:22, “But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says.”