You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Yesterday we said to know the Spirit of Truth. When helping others who have questions, if we don’t have the answer given to us by the Holy Spirit we are likely to rely on the teachings of others. Given that different administrations teach variations on the meaning of scripture we must be careful how we answer the questions of new converts.
We like to have the answer that will help but the worst thing we can do is give an opinion without sound scriptural support. Sound doctrine does not happen by accident. We have a long history of gifted scholars with libraries full of books, commentaries, pamphlets and notes scribbled in the margins of our bibles.
It is better to say “let us look to the scriptures”. Then we are placing the study in the hands of the author. Glib answers harm young believers. When our answers are refuted by more learned scholars it damages the relationship we have tried to establish. They might even think we are lying.
“I don’t know.” That is an honest answer sometimes but leaves the questioner with no avenue for an answer. It is better to add, “Let’s ask an elder.” In that way both are confirmed as believers seeking better truths.
A thing can be true but incomplete. That does not make it a lie, just an incomplete answer.
Look at the four gospels, the first three are Synoptic and vary in minor details too insignificant to render them unreliable. John’s gospel is not. John has written some of the most important aspects of the Christian life. None of these gospels are a lie in any way.
Matthew was a disciple, Mark and Luke were not. Their writings came in a timely manner. John had a beautiful relationship with our Lord that encompassed decades before he penned his gospel.
Giving weight to any book of the bible and showing favoritism dishonors the love that God poured out to each and every writer from Moses to John. How many of us have read Numbers with the same frequency as Romans? In doing so we might just miss a message God has just for ourselves. Those are precious pearls hidden in our hearts.
What did you hear when I mentioned pearls?