There are so many choices you have when it comes to “who” you listen to. And, yes, that includes me. It can boggle the mind if you really think about all the voices vying for our attention lately. Seriously, we have family and friends, coworkers, news outlets, industry professionals, topic “experts”, and so on. Heck, we even have many new independent news sources now broadcasting from websites and video platforms. It seems everyone has become an expert lately.
Yet, which voice do you listen to amongst all the varying, and sometimes conflicting, voices you hear? What is the litmus test you use to know if you should believe something or not? Ultimately, you have to reach a point where you listen with a grain of salt. (You simply cannot have blind trust in everything you learn of, no matter the source.)
Listen. Then what?
It’s okay to listen. But, be smart. Be mature in your response to any new information. Let’s be straight here. We live in “the information age”. Pretty much everyone I know above the age of 15 has access to the internet. (And even some below that age.) We have absolutely no excuse in not doing our own research. To not research is simply being intellectually lazy. Don’t let that be you. So, dig into a topic. Find out if what you heard/read/saw is indeed factual.
This is the tough part. In doing your research, challenge yourself to look beyond a source you yourself deem “trustworthy”. What do other sources say? Why do other sources differ? Basically, what I’m saying is to not live in a vacuum. Read up on contrasting views. Educate yourself on what each side is saying on a topic.
Example Time!
As an example, a few months ago I fell off down the “rabbit hole“. Shortly afterwards, I shared a red pill post and encouraged you to look into things for yourself. Since then there have been several of those sources I’ve knocked off my list. (Although still good sources, per se, I just didn’t “click” with some of them for one reason or another. And, in part, I was getting information overload and absolutely had to cut back.)
But, a couple of them have risen to the top. Those are the ones I’ve found to be consistent in their findings. And I’m able to correlate their information in other areas of research. It’s the verifiability in their product or information. The proof is in the fruit they produce, if you will. This is what keeps me connected to those sources.
Speaking of… Another Test is What Type Of Fruit Does the Information Produce?
What I mean by this is, “what is the ultimate result of the information received”? Does it claim to spread love, but only hatred results? Do the sources talk a big game, yet there are no results? You get the picture.
What you are looking for here is consistency. There must be consistency between the message and the result. Get rid of the smoke and mirrors. Ignore the double speak and double standards. Back away from the sources that are inconsistent over time. And believe only half of what “paid” sources are telling you. Yep, follow the money. There is big money behind a lot of agendas. Do not trust them. Trust the fruit.
Over time you will come to discern what the actual truth is versus a jaded version of the truth. It comes down to the whole “actions speak louder than words” thing. It really is important to learn how to research and recognize these things for yourself.
Above All, Listen To Peace.
I cannot stress this enough. We all know too many voices ringing in our ears can trigger information overload and leave us all emotionally stirred up. Or, worse, the constant battle can be exhausting. But, we must fight back against losing our internal peace. We must be able to “chill” and land on solid ground.
Therefore, after listening, learning, and researching, we must disseminate all that information and come to peace with it. For me, I take the “truths” I uncovered and measure them against what I know as absolutes. Those are things I’ve known to be true. The things that have withstood the test of time.
For me, that measure is my spiritual faith.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I measure “truths” against the written word of God, and my personal spiritual experiences. God is not contradictory. Therefore, there is a consistency in all things God touches. And that is my measure.
I previously wrote about discerning peace. In that post I covered five questions I use when encountering new advice/knowledge/experience. I highly recommend you reading the entire post. For a quick summation, here are the five questions I ask myself:
- 1) Is it scriptural?
- 2) How does it “witness” to my spirit?
- 3) Am I getting an “alert” from the Holy Spirit Himself and/or can I sense His peace?
- 4) Is there “biblically defined” fruit according to Galatians 5?
- 5) Finally, does this advice, or experience honor/exalt Jesus?
Hopefully, that helps you. But, really. Read that entire post about discerning peace for more clarity on the topic, and each question posed. You’ll be glad you did!
So, in short, listen and read all you want to. But, research everything to know its authenticity for your self. It is paramount. This applies especially with the current times in which we live.
Truth Will Ultimately Prevail. Discernment will keep you sane in the meantime.
“Constantly be on your guard against phony prophets. They come disguised as lambs, appearing to be genuine, but on the inside they are like wild, ravenous wolves! You can spot them by their actions, for the fruits of their character will be obvious. You won’t find sweet grapes hanging on a thorn bush, and you’ll never pick good fruit from a tumbleweed. So if the tree is good, it will produce good fruit; but if the tree is bad, it will bear only rotten fruit and it deserves to be cut down and burned. Look at the obvious fruit of their lives and ministries, and then you’ll know whether they are true or false.” ~ Mt 7:15-20
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