Examine Your Beliefs by God's Standard

"Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding."

Proverbs 23:23

My eldest son Zed returned yesterday from a school service trip to Cambodia.  They helped with a building project, ministered to children in slums and orphanages, and provided food to people in need.  They also gained valuable life experiences - like how to bargain in the markets.  A good thing to know before buying in places like the Russian Markets in Phnom Penh is things are rarely what they seem.  Fakes, knock-off products, and carefully repackaged used items sold as new abound.  Tourists, willing to risk a few bucks for a potential bargain, support an industry which survives largely on deceit and fraud.  There are many legitimate sellers, but those able to pass off fake as genuine are encouraged to continue plying their illicit trade with each sale.

Case in point:  Zed and some of his mates came back from Cambodia with some "real" fake coins from the United States.  And they didn't come particularly cheap.  While the boys were pleased with their ability to haggle with the sellers, they paid far more than the coins are actually worth.  Because they are copies of supposed sterling silver coins, a single United States penny is of greater monetary value as legal tender.  But I am grateful for these coins, for with them comes priceless life lessons purchased for cheap.

These coins illustrates the value of familiarity with the genuine in avoiding the fake.  Those boys had never heard the "ping" of a silver coin, did not think of the magnet or bleach test, and did not even know the weight of a genuine coin!  Because the sellers refused to drop below a certain price, the boys assumed they must be at least that valuable.  It is funny to me how greed fueled the whole affair:  fake coins were minted and sold at inflated rates by greedy sellers to greedy people who are only thinking of resale value!  Zed, like his mates, were willing to take the chance that what they were buying was fake in the wistful hope they were indeed genuine.  When it comes to a few coins, the risk is relatively low.  But how great is cost for buying falsehood which poses a spiritual truth!

There are people all over the world who hold their beliefs tightly, having purchased them at great personal cost.  They have invested their hearts, minds, and lives in what they believe.  For every true thing God has said there are countless counterfeits.  Satan and his mob churn out counterfeit religions and beliefs continually, and people queue up for them.  Because they do not know the truth, they buy into all manner of error.  But the things many people deem precious are not legal tender before God.  How guilty before God is a man who passes on the counterfeit as truth!  There are a series of tests even a layman can do to determine if coins are genuine or not, and the same is true concerning the Bible.  One does not need to be an expert to put the Bible to the test.  The archaeological, historical, geographical, and prophetic evidence and fulfillment is clear for all to see.  The consistency between books, the abundance of manuscript evidence, the authorship of eye-witnesses, and the unparalleled wisdom of the Bible is unique.  Because the Bible is the authentic and genuine Word of God, it sets forth the standard by which all belief and practice must be judged.  Textbooks change, "spiritual" books are revised, but the Word of the LORD will endure unchanged forever.  Once you have bought the truth, don't sell it at any price.

Truth can bear examination.  How silly would it be to suspect your coins are fake, but because of shame or embarrassment never have them examined by an expert?  Are you willing to put your personal beliefs under the scrutiny of God's Word?  Is it is worthy risk to invest in coins without knowing what a real Silver Eagle looks like?  Too many people buy into satanic lies, thinking they are a sound future investment, and on the day of judgment their entire collection will be deemed worthless before the God before whom all must answer.  Truth is objective and narrow, even as there is very specific criteria to deem Silver Eagles genuine.  One belief is not as good as another.  So how do you know if your beliefs are legitimate or not?  The Bible (preferably a translation) will reveal this to you.  Ask born-again Christians or a pastor.  In a world filled with darkness and deception, God's Word provides light to direct our lives.  As it is written in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."