Truth is actuality. It’s a fact regardless of emotion. It is nearly impossible to get two people to agree on what the truth is. Why? It’s simple. It’s because of our perspective. Our perspective is our reality; it is our truth filtered through our emotions, beliefs, culture, and life experiences. It shapes the way we interpret and make sense of reality, coloring our perceptions with shades of bias, prejudice, and preconceived notions. Our perspective acts as a filter through which we view the world and God, often distorting or magnifying certain aspects of truth while obscuring others. Just as with a dirty air conditioner filter, what is supposed to get through gets blocked, and in this case, it’s the truth.
The interplay between truth and perspective can be both helpful and challenging. On one hand, our perspective enriches our understanding of truth, providing depth, context, and nuance to our interpretation of reality. It allows us to appreciate the complexity of human experience and fosters empathy and understanding toward others whose perspectives may differ from our own. On the other hand, our perspective can also obscure or distort truth, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and divisions.
In navigating the tension between truth and perspective, cultivating discernment becomes essential. Discernment involves the ability to discern between actual truth and subjective perception.
What should you do when you are confronted by someone whose perspective is skewing the truth?
1. AVOID OFFENSE. Do not come into agreement with the spirit of offense. Picking up an offence will never solve anything. The spirit of offense draws us into deep, negative emotions that become fuel to the fire.
2. SEEK GOD’S TRUTH. Make sure your actions and words line up with the Word of God, the character of Jesus, and contains the Fruit of the Spirit. If they do not, you are not operating in The Truth.
3. DO NOT PICK UP FALSE RESPONSIBILITY. Remember, you are not responsible for their words and actions. You are only responsible for your actions and words.
4. PRAY. Pray that they would be set free in the truth.
Gal. 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
John 8: 31-32 “So, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
by Laura Bradshaw
