Hunger for TRUTH
Do you hunger for TRUTH in a world that has put such emphasis on lies and deceit? Is it important for you to have the correct information when trying to make key decisions? If your answers to these questions is yes, if you do hunger for TRUTH, comment on this article and tell me what you do to pursue it.
We tend to take it for granted that what we encounter is TRUTH. We may question a source but generally feel that what we are being told is true. More popular interpretations of “hunger for TRUTH” include somewhat slight target markets with authentic claims but do they express the full meaning.
I heard some interesting commentary last evening that suggested that we accept things as being true or right because of those saying things with such confidence, with extreme positions, or loud voices that we want them to just stop. Are acceptance being more of a coping mechanism than a belief in the TRUTH of the matter.
Another technique used to influence what you believe is the use of fear and the acceptance that someone has a way of dealing with it. Advertising does one of the best jobs with this method. We are told that our house will be taken from us by fraud, we need to buy gold as a hedge against inflation, and we need insurance to avoid the costly repairs on our cars. We need protection from hackers taking over our identities, to take natural supplements, and to avoid certain foods. There is often an ounce of TRUTH in their claims that make the fear even more pressing.
Our nature is that we want to solve problems. Acceptance of most things without questioning allows us to do this. We do not understand the real reasons behind questioning. Questions are mostly asked because we don’t know, and we want that information. Keith Webb, in his book 340 Questions Jesus Asked, suggests…” This misconception about questions can lead to difficulties. Some leaders who view the purpose of questions as mainly information gathering are reluctant to ask questions. The thinking is, asking reveals their ignorance and not knowing is a weakness. So, to appear strong, informed, and in control, they don’t ask many questions. The difficulties with this mindset and these behaviors are obvious.” He laid out three ways in which Jesus asked questions.
First, questions are a rhetorical teaching device, to make a strong point because the answer is so obvious that it helps to bring focus on the TRUTH. Second, a question is asked to solicit an answer that points to a TRUTH in such a strong way that it becomes an expression of faith and belief. Third, some questions are to generate information—not for you—but for the other person. Asking questions can open another person’s thinking, reflection, and exploration.
The point is that questions force you to think and act in different ways, pursuing TRUTH through identifying things beyond the obvious and taking you in directions you did not anticipate. Asking reflective questions, for example, is a reliable way to prompt people to think more broadly and reflect more deeply. You can encourage exploration by asking questions that will cause someone to reflect. Those reflections often produce understanding of underlying issues, meaning, and new learning.
We might also find that the questions we ask point to the OneTRUTH that we seek the most, the TRUTH of the existence of God and that he is working in our lives today. Everyday archeologists and scientists are discovering more facts and evidence; the evidence produced is both relative to us and telling.
The information generated by questions, the right questions, help us get to the root of any question or situation but they also open people to finding their own ways in a difficult and evil world. Questions should not be asked just for your own enlightenment, but for the benefit of others.
It is this hunger for TRUTH that compels us to pursue it, to discover facts and evidence to support making the right decisions in life.