Only the truth
Tall trees catch the most wind. A lot of wind. If you give yourself out to be a toffee, somewhere along the way someone will chew on you. This is what happened to Paul. A group of false prophets in Corinth was spreading lies about Paul and worst of all, some members of the congregation in Corinth believed them. As a result a number of camps formed. This division was not good for the growth of the Kingdom.
As we’ve got to know Paul by this time, he immediately squashed these stories right from the start. He told the congregation that everyone had a responsibility to ensure that what they heard, was the truth. Therefore, he said to them: 7You stare and stare at the obvious, but you can’t see the forest for the trees. If you’re looking for a clear example of someone on Christ’s side, why do you so quickly cut me out? Believe me, I am quite sure of my standing with Christ.
Listening wasn’t the only thing: 9And what’s this talk about me bullying you with my letters? 10“His letters are brawny and potent, but in person he’s a weakling and mumbles when he talks.” 11Such talk won’t survive scrutiny. What we write when away, we do when present. We’re the exact same people, absent or present, in letter or in person.
This is precisely what we do. We listen avidly to everybody, every newspaper, every news story and lap it up. Then we tell everyone these unconfirmed stories as if they were the truth. And before you know it, the world is full of information that is not true.
I received the following petition:
The new Bible translation of 2016.
Hereby we would like to request your positive contribution to vote for the real
33 to 53 translation (Bible). The intention is to remove all capital letters for the names of God. It is Satan’s objective to humiliate JESUS’ authority. This new translation can completely alienate the next generations from GOD.
Let us stand up for Jesus!! The Way! The Truth and The Life!
Vote for Jesus Christ and send your name and the word petition to: …
Send this Message to everyone you know! We need a Million petitions to stop the New Bible!
I’ve received this message a good couple of times, and to be honest, it did upset me. I felt my thoughts running away with me about this petition. Yes, I immediately thought, this is modern man adapting the translation to himself and forgetting about God. Where will it end if we continue along this road? Eventually God will be completely written out of the Bible. No, it’s time that we stand up and show what we’re made of. We must fight for God in our lives and in our Bibles … but then I received this e-mail:
Dear Fellow-believer in Christ: Please note that the petition against The Bible: A direct translation (BDT) (in Afrikaans) that is being spread via e-mail and social media (Facebook, Whatsapp, BBM, etc.) is devoid of all truth.
The Bible Society of South Africa has already fully responded to the false allegations regarding the BDT in an official statement, which is available on the BDT’s official website: http://www.bybeldirektevertaling.co.za (choose the link: Verklaring van die Bybelgenootskap van Suid-Afrika na aanleiding van ‘n petisie teen ‘n nuwe Afrikaanse Bybelvertaling). Please send this information to any person who forwards the petition to you. Thank you for your continued support and prayer in carrying out the vision of the Bible Society of South Africa: A Bible for everyone.
As Christians we have a responsibility to ensure that the news that we convey are the whole truth. It is our responsibility to make sure whether the Bible translation was being mistreated before we send it on to the next person. Then it becomes their responsibility to check whether it is the truth.
You hear many stories. But before the stories are broadcast all over the world by your mouth, make sure it is the whole truth. If you’re not sure, make sure, or rather get rid of it before it is spread.
Reflection
What do you do with the stories you hear?
Is it the whole truth?
Do you talk about everything you hear?
Prayer
Lord, it is true. We often listen to false stories without making an effort to find out whether it’s the truth. Please help me not to listen to gossip stories or rumours and help me not to spread them. Amen
