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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
Choosing Truth
Date Posted: January 9, 2007
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Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6 NIV
Sometimes it can be so hard to hear the truth. Why? Because the truth is sometimes very painful. I don't know anyone who wants to hear the truth when it comes to being prideful, selfish, arrogant.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell the truth. Why? Because telling someone they are being prideful, selfish, or arrogant will most likely NOT be well received - and for most of us, we don't like hurting another person's feelings.
So what is truth?
The only place truth exists is in God and His inspired Word.
All we have to do is look in the book. It's in there.
Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:30-32 NIV
The Bible promises us that if we know the truth, it will set us free.
Sometimes that's hard to believe, especially when it's painful to hear or to speak.
I believe the difference is when we choose to live in our flesh we are easily deceived by wrong thinking and evil lies. However, when we choose to walk in the Spirit and become a disciple of Christ, Satan's power is broken.
Unfortunately, some people will choose to walk according to their own way and remain captive to the world's lies.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12 NIV
Sadly, this way will lead to death. Death? I can hear some of you right now, "we're all going to die one day." Yes, this is true, but the difference is, those who die apart from God will face eternal condemnation.
Jesus uses a parable in Matthew 13 to give us a glimpse of what that would be like... to die apart from God.
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13: 49-50 NIV
Hell is like gehenna (a Greek word used in the New Testament), the smoldering trash dump outside Jerusalem, and in hell, people will be consciously aware that they have been deemed, irredeemable, fit for no good purpose.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes it even in more detail.
It's definitely not a place I want to go.
So, how do we choose truth?
It starts with accepting God’s way as the only way.
Open the book. Meditate on His word. Pray. Talk to Him as you would a close friend. He doesn't need flowery speech or impressive language. It starts with giving Him your heart and letting His word - the truth - permeate your mind, heart and spirit.
Choose truth!
Choose to be free!
John 14:6 NIV
Sometimes it can be so hard to hear the truth. Why? Because the truth is sometimes very painful. I don't know anyone who wants to hear the truth when it comes to being prideful, selfish, arrogant.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell the truth. Why? Because telling someone they are being prideful, selfish, or arrogant will most likely NOT be well received - and for most of us, we don't like hurting another person's feelings.
So what is truth?
The only place truth exists is in God and His inspired Word.
All we have to do is look in the book. It's in there.
Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:30-32 NIV
The Bible promises us that if we know the truth, it will set us free.
Sometimes that's hard to believe, especially when it's painful to hear or to speak.
I believe the difference is when we choose to live in our flesh we are easily deceived by wrong thinking and evil lies. However, when we choose to walk in the Spirit and become a disciple of Christ, Satan's power is broken.
Unfortunately, some people will choose to walk according to their own way and remain captive to the world's lies.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12 NIV
Sadly, this way will lead to death. Death? I can hear some of you right now, "we're all going to die one day." Yes, this is true, but the difference is, those who die apart from God will face eternal condemnation.
Jesus uses a parable in Matthew 13 to give us a glimpse of what that would be like... to die apart from God.
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13: 49-50 NIV
Hell is like gehenna (a Greek word used in the New Testament), the smoldering trash dump outside Jerusalem, and in hell, people will be consciously aware that they have been deemed, irredeemable, fit for no good purpose.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes it even in more detail.
It's definitely not a place I want to go.
So, how do we choose truth?
It starts with accepting God’s way as the only way.
Open the book. Meditate on His word. Pray. Talk to Him as you would a close friend. He doesn't need flowery speech or impressive language. It starts with giving Him your heart and letting His word - the truth - permeate your mind, heart and spirit.
Choose truth!
Choose to be free!
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Michelle Sanders Brinson makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Andrey, their son Jadon and their dog Rudy.
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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