How To Know What Is True or False

Basic Criteria to use in determining what to believe as true or false:

1. Who said it?
Identifying the source of information is very critical. Is he/she an expert on the subject? Is he/she known to be a person of integrity? Has the person proven to be trustworthy? Our focus here is on the character and qualification of the source.

It is true that even an expert can misrepresent the information intentionally or not. Furthermore, he may not be in a position to render judgment because his expertise does not include what is purported to be. We know so well that disagreements exist even among experts themselves.

When judging the sources based on integrity, we should look at their track record and discern their motives. It is a known fact that so called authoritative advocates sometimes manipulate data to achieve their selfish interest. We need to be aware and vigilant so that we are not duped into believing it is true when in reality, the endorsement is only self-serving.

2. Is the information verifiable?
There should be a way to objectively confirm the veracity of information being propounded. If it cannot be independently verified, then we should not commit ourselves to any conclusion whether or not it is true. We should be leery of it.

When the Apostle Paul preached to the Berean believers, they searched the Scriptures to see if what was being said was true even though “they received the message with great eagerness”.

Often times we readily accept without further analysis what we hear, read or listen to because, after all, it comes from someone we respect, trust, and acknowledge as authority. We fail to “test everything and hold on to the good”(1 Thess. 5:21).

Let me introduce You to Yourself

"Hi I'm......,"

Would you be pleased to meet "Yourself" face to face?

Among other points that stood out to me personally during the overnight men’s breakaway sponsored by our church recently, was knowing the real “You”. Is the visible “You” the real you? Who are you really?

You have erected a façade to give others a good impression of you; become adept at acceptable public behaviour; earned for yourself a reputation based on your interaction with others and their perception of who you are, but is that the real “You?”

Think of yourself in situations and places where you were alone and nobody knew you. Honestly now, what were you like? Did you think and/or engage in activities which you would never do if others are around? THAT WAS THE REAL YOU.

Integrity is living in line with the Scriptures in uncompromising way. It is being upright in our conduct even when no one is around to notice it because we know it pleases the Lord. It is being on guard of our thought-life to make sure that we resist any notion or idea inconsistent with Philippians 4:8(NLT) Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Someone wisely said that adversity does not build character, it reveals it. Your responses to, and ways of dealing with whatever comes your way –good or bad – are indicative of the REAL YOU.