So the enemy successfully ensnares another. This time two for the price of one. All the devil can do is present something for us to consider. It is always in opposition to what God has already said and what we know to be true but like Eve before us; like Achan before us, like Ananias and Sapphira before us we engage in the conversation and get distracted within.
Hindu sage, Ramana Maharshi once said, "There is no Truth. There is only the truth within each moment." English playwright W. Somerset Maugham said, "Man has always sacrificed truth to his vanity, comfort and advantage. He lives... by make-believe. But whether you ascribe to the esoteric teachings of false religions or the humanistic tendencies of man it matters not to absolute truth because absolute truth never changes. Realize beloved that it is the concept of absolute truth that angers so many about Christianity to begin with. Jesus did not speak in wishy-washy tones.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
This kind of statement ruffles the feathers of man because it offends the vanity he so wishes to stroke, the comfort he seeks within his own set of morals and the advantage he always desires for himself over others. The more esoteric thinking allows a fluidity to truth that is not accurate either. Truth does not change from moment to moment. How do we know this? Because God is truth and:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
This should be a comfort for all believers because it provides a firm foundation upon which to stand in the face of this world and a rock upon which to base our lives. Yet we too can be like Eve, Achan, and Ananias and Sapphira before us and engage in a conversation with the enemy.
Before we get a grasp on this we must realize that there is absolute truth in the world and it is the Word of God. In a world that believes in shades of grey the Bible provides us with the black and white truth of God. The world purposefully blurs what is black and white into grey to feel better about their sin. Eve knew she should not eat the fruit. Achan knew he should not take the devoted things. Ananias and Sapphira knew they should not lie to the Apostles. Yet they all did. The enemy whispered his lies into their ears and changed what they knew was black and white into shades of grey. God however has spoken directly to Eve and there was no grey in His commands. He had spoken to the Israelites, including Achan and there was no grey in his commands. Ananias and Sapphira followed the Apostles who walked directly with Jesus once again there is no ambiguity within the commands Jesus laid out for His followers.
And for us today, God has also spoken and His commands are black and white. There are no grey areas. His Word is the Bible in which we place out faith. Our key verse today reminds us that His Word is truth in a world that vacillates truth based upon personal whims. The Bible is absolute and inerrant.
