Learn To Discern: Truth Or Alleged Truth?
This week I celebrated being a born-again Christian for fourteen years. Prior to that, I was fully enmeshed in a culturally and politically liberal lifestyle. I shifted quickly to a conservative biblical mindset after my salvation, but the world seemed to steam ahead at a gallop toward ungodliness. The most off-putting part was that the shift wasn’t just happening to “them.” Churches, too, were adopting unbiblical ideas without a second thought. The most heinous of which was the idea of multiple truths. Christians were integrating “alleged truth” with real truth! The Bible definitely doesn’t support this, though.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6
How can there be such a thing as “your truth” and “her truth” and “my truth?” Jesus is “the truth,” indicating only one… So, how do we discern which truth is true?
The American Worldview: It’s A Mess
Before diving in, let’s look at a snapshot of Americans and their relationship with the biblical worldviews. It’s tenuous, at best.
I highly recommend the book Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture by Natasha Crain. In it, Crain shares a great deal of statistics to help us better understand where Christianity stands in our culture and where it’s headed. The statistics make it clear that a biblical worldview is undeniably the minority.
- 65% of Americans identify as Christians (p. 23)
- In 2020, only 6% of Americans held a biblical worldview (p. 26)
- In 2021, studies found that 88% of Americans have a worldview that blends elements from various worldviews, even when beliefs contradict one another. This is called syncretism. (p. 90)
Is it any wonder the American Church has embraced the idea that there are numerous truths we can accept, even if they contradict? So, let’s look at 5 common alleged truths the Church has embraced.
Alleged Truth #1: We Should Embrace Unity And Inclusivity
If you’re raising your eyebrow at me right now and are ready to pounce…fear not. I’m about to make sense. I’m not advocating for division in the Church. There are many things we don’t need to separate over, despite our disagreement. Rather, I’m talking about how we don’t need to unify with or include everyone in our churches.
Christianity, although open to the whole world as seen in John 3:16, is actually quite exclusive. If someone doesn’t believe in Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, then they are not unified with us. You can find this in many places in the Bible. One such verse is in John. It points out that there are two groups of people: condemned and not condemned.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:18
Unity With Alleged Truth In The Church?
So, although we are not in unity with those outside of the faith, we should have unity with Christians right? Yes, of course! But “Christianity” is a tricky term nowadays. It doesn’t just mean a follower of Jesus Christ who has been born again through salvation which is freely given to those who repent and believe thanks to the work Jesus did on the cross and the miracle of His resurrection. It’s an umbrella term for all kinds of people now.
Here is a list of denominations and groups that fall under the term “Christianity:” Seventh-Day Adventists, Baptists, Amish, Mennonites, Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, Assembly of God, Pentecostals, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Evangelicals, and Charismatics.
That list, among those with a biblical understanding of Christianity, contains denominations that deny the divinity of Christ, practice works for salvation, are considered by many to be a cult, believe in new revelations even if they contradict the Word, and those who teach that everyone can learn to prophesy and heal. I ask you; can we stand united with churches that hold these unbiblical beliefs?
Unity With The LGBTQ+ Community
The call for unity reaches out far beyond our churches, though. The expectation is for unity with the world. Inclusivity is a buzz word we simply cannot escape or ignore any longer. What does this buzz word mean? It means we are supposed to accept, embrace, and endorse sinful actions and those who commit them.
The LGBTQ+ agenda is the biggest example of that right now. For instance, a Methodist church in Bloomington, IL has a female pastor who is more activist than spiritual leader. She had a man named Isaac Simmons preach for her church on April 11, 2021. That day was being celebrated as Drag Sunday, and Simmons preached as his alter ego, a drag queen named Ms. Penny Cost, and discussed “The Mystery of Queer Holiness.” You can see a clip of this “sermon” below.
I wish I could say this is an isolated event, but Simmons has been back to that church to “preach” again. And he’s not the only clergy member shamelessly embracing an LGBTQ+ identity. For instance, I have a relative in a church with an openly gay female pastor. In fact, I image you know about LGBTQ+ representation in pulpits near you, too.
Outside of churches, we are facing a proliferation of “family friendly” drag shows and drag queen story hours at local libraries. My own library features books normalizing homosexuality for kids made easily accessible on bookshelf end caps, and it has recently advertised an LGBTQ+ hot cocoa party. It’s everywhere. Not even the schools are safe from transgender agendas and sexually graphic books and curricula for young students.
Progressives Pushing For The Alleged Truth Of Inclusivity
Progressive “Christians” teach that true Christians will support these things and include them in their churches. They say we shouldn’t judge other people and should live how we love to live. Allow me to share two telling quotes from another book I recommend entitled, Live Your Truth and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed by Alisa Childers.
Childers quotes Rachel Hollis on page 124 from the book, Girl, Wash Your Face.
“Just because you believe it doesn’t mean it’s true for everyone. In so many instances judgment comes from a place of feeling as though you’ve somehow got it all figured out when they do not. Judging each other makes us feel safer in our own choices. Faith is one of the most abused instances of this.”
Rachel Hollis, Girl, Wash Your Face, p. 40
Alisa Childers quotes another influential voice among Christian women, Glennon Doyle, on page 176.
“If women trusted and claimed their desires, the world as we know it would crumble. Perhaps that is precisely what needs to happen so we can rebuild truer, more beautiful lives, relationships, families, and nations in their place.
Maybe Eve was never meant to be our warning. Maybe she was meant to be our model.
Own your wanting.
Eat the apple.”
Glennon Doyle, Untamed, p. 121-122
Both women quoted are massively popular “Christian” authors and speakers that women you know (and might even go to church with) are influenced by. What was their message? Don’t judge and obedience isn’t necessary.
The alleged truth of unity and acceptance for all couldn’t be more wrong.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (emphasis mine)
Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)
We should judge, but we should judge rightly, not as hypocrites. So, as I shove brownies into my mouth, I won’t be lecturing you on the importance of moderation and self-control. Probably…
As for obedience, the Scriptures couldn’t be clearer.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
John 14:15
Acts 5:29
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (emphasis mine)
Acts 5:29
Seek unity and inclusivity, yes, but do so within the confines of biblical truth and obedience to the Lord.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14
Alleged Truth #2: True Christianity Is About Equity
First, we need a couple of definitions.
Equality: to be equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities
Equity: a focus on fairness; we don’t start in the same place, so we should adjust for that (i.e., handicapping some in order to create the same outcome for everyone)
Critical Race Theory (CRT) has permeated the culture and, of course, the Church. Some churches spend a lot of time focused on how to elevate the people of color in the congregation. Pastors, such as Matt Chandler from Village Church, teach “white privilege” and shame white Christians for refusing to accept that label. Instead of seeing each other as one people created by God, churches focused on equity see everyone by the color of their skin and rank themselves by the standards of victimhood and minority status. I’ve included a video of Matt Chandler discussing white privilege below.
Equity might sound nice, but it shouldn’t be the focus of the church. Besides, it isn’t even a possibility in a fallen world. Actually, it reminds me of the Jews expecting Jesus to overtake the Roman government. His ways were much higher than local politics, and He did not promise us freedom from unfavorable circumstances or persecution. He promised us peace, comfort, and eternal life with Him.
Focusing on equity in the Church replaces the gospel of Jesus Christ with the gospel of fairness and equal outcomes. Instead of celebrating our oneness in Christ, it highlights our differences and labels some of us villains in the story of the Church based on our skin color. This is simply not how God views us.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28
“For God shows no partiality.”
Romans 2:11 (ESV)
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Genesis 1:27
For more on CRT, I highly recommend Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe by Voddie Baucham.
I’ve also written about CRT concerning education, the narrative surrounding Ma’Khia Bryant’s death, and in light of Baucham’s book.
Alleged Truth #3: The Truth Is Found In Ourselves
This is a “truth” that really fools us, ladies. We seem to be so susceptible to self-help ideas and methodologies. Currently, there are a slew of female Bible teachers and authors who focus more on self-improvement than anything else which is marketed under the guise of Christian teaching.
We don’t have time discuss each female teacher who should be marked and avoided or at least approached with caution. Here are only a few celebrity “Christian” female authors and speakers who have enormous influence in churches across our country:
Jennie Allen: (founder of the IF: Gathering and author of Get Out of Your Head and Find Your People)
Rachel Hollis: (speaker and author of Girl, Wash Your Face and Girl, Stop Apologizing)
Lysa TerKeurst: (speaker, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, and author of Unglued, Uninvited, and It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way)
Beth Moore: (speaker, author of many Bible studies through the SBC’s LifeWay Christian Resources, and author of So Long, Insecurity and Audacious)
These women, and plenty of others, focus on feelings and experiences while also cherry-picking verses to support their theories and worldview. A common thread found in teachings we hear about looking inside ourselves for truth is “authenticity.” You see, the truth can be found when we live as our authentic selves and remain true to who we are deep inside.
OK…do you know who I am deep inside? I’m a selfish, angry, pushy, and self-indulgent woman. Simply put, I’m a sinner. This approach to understanding ourselves and others inflates our sense of self. Suddenly, rather than being a person dead in my own sins (Colossians 2:13), I’m a person who contains all the truth I need within. I’m so wonderful that the compass for my life and answers to all my questions are hidden away like a treasure waiting to be found deep inside
Again, when we turn to the Word of God, we see a different story.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 3:23
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Romans 3:10
Alleged Truth #4: All Paths Lead To God
More and more American churches are becoming “progressive.” They have essentially stopped teaching various non-negotiables of the Christian faith and/or added things such as social justice and New Age beliefs into the Church. One of those added beliefs is not a new idea by a long shot, but it is without a doubt, damaging the Church. “All paths lead to God.”
In keeping with a non-judgmental mindset, these “Christians” adopt beliefs and practices from different religions and secular humanism (which is a religion, if you ask me) in order to accommodate their lifestyles and accept everyone and everything around them. It’s a religious buffet in which an individual takes the beliefs she prefers to make up her own personal theology.
Because of this approach to the doctrine of salvation, it has become enormously unpopular to say there is one way to be saved. Instead, believers repeat the progressive party lines. For instance, “A loving God would never reject someone for just being human.” Another popular thought that constantly makes the rounds is, “We can’t know what is true.” Maybe you’ve seen the “coexist” bumper sticker that is written in different religious symbols indicating another false belief that pushes this alleged truth forward. “We all worship the same God.”
Finding out which path leads to salvation, it turns out, is pretty simple. Open the Bible and read it.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
1 Timothy 2:5
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (emphasis mine)
Matthew 7:13-14
We may long to see those we love with us in eternity but the reality is that we won’t if they were not saved through repentance and faith in the one mediator that we have to reconcile us with God. Jesus.
There is only one path that leads to God, and that’s the truth.
Alleged Truth #5: Being A Christian Leads To Happiness
Have you ever heard this before? “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” This line is commonly used by Christians while witnessing. They give the idea that if this person would only become a Christian, then she would unlock the wonderful things God wants for her.
Ray Comfort wrote a book entitled that exact witnessing line, God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life: The Myth of the Modern Message. The cover features Stephen, the first Christian martyr, being stoned to death. You see, God does have a wonderful plan for His children’s lives, but those wonderful plans might involve tears, struggle, suffering, or even death.
Preachers like Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, and Kenneth Copeland teach massive audiences in person, on the radio, online, and on television that with enough faith they will be rich and healthy. Why? Because God wants us to be happy, and living a good Christian life will bring good things to us.
This false gospel, the prosperity gospel, is a blight on the Church and completely contradicts God’s Word. Happiness and riches are not the end goal of salvation. Will we have joy? Absolutely. But joy is no guarantee of a problem-free life. Neither is an obedient and faithful life. Just look to the Apostle Paul who says in 2 Corinthians 12 that God had not removed his “thorn in the flesh.” If anyone’s afflictions should be taken away due to faith, shouldn’t it be the man who wrote at least thirteen books of the Bible?!
God makes it clear in His Word that believers can count on trials, but He also promises blessings, grace, strength, patience, comfort, and peace as we walk through them.
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
James 1:12
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
1 Peter 5:10
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”
Romans 5:3
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4
Ladies, we will certainly have our reward, but there is no promise for “heaven on earth.” In glory, with the Lord, there will finally be an end to pain, heartache, and suffering. Until then, we should do as it says in James 1:2, and “count it all joy” when we experience trials in life.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:18
Final Thought
We have only scratched the surface of the lies being peddled as “truth.” Adding insult to injury, these contradictory “truths” are not only in the community, they’re pervasive in the Church, as well.
It isn’t difficult to see what makes them so attractive to us, though, is it? They sound nice, make Christianity less abrasive to unbelievers, and allow us to feed our flesh without guilt. But liking something doesn’t make it true.
We fight an uphill battle in a culture that teaches all “truths” are valid. What can we do? Well, we learn to discern (or recognize) real truth in the midst of the lies. And the good news is you already know how to do this because we’ve already been doing it. His Word is truth.
Take nothing you’re taught or told to believe at face-value. Rather, ask yourself, “Does this agree with what the Bible says?” If it doesn’t, then throw it out. Sure, it sounds like extra work, but the better you know the Bible, then the easier this becomes. Besides, it’s essential for us to know and live in the truth. Allow me to leave with some verses about truth.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
John 17:17
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32
Finally, let’s remember that we are in a spiritual battle, and we need our Armor of God to defend ourselves and stand against the Enemy. Believer, put on the truth by knowing God’s Word well enough to recognize the lies.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”
Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV)
What alleged lies do you see infiltrating the Church?
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