I’ve been thinking a lot about personal beliefs lately. Of course we all think and believe differently. And often times, as life evolves and experiences affect us we may change what we believe. This change in our beliefs can be called growth or maturity. But then again, some may call it being led astray, brainwashed or deceived when the change is prompted without our conscious knowing.
And so, I’m finding it amazing not only how diverse and unique we all think, but no matter how crazy or foreign our ideas, we can likely find a group of others who believe the same way. This speaks to the largeness of our world.
Our world is a lot larger than I used to think. And with instant access and connection created by the internet, we can find other people who think the same way we do. We can support our beliefs with other evidence no matter how strange or outlandish it is.
And so, if we can think almost anything. AND find supportive evidence to that belief AND connect with groups of people who share the same feelings, HOW can we know what is true?
As a Christian, traditionally our beliefs are confirmed and held together by support of three witnesses. (1) The historical, written and canonized holy scripture; ie. the Bible. (2) The church community we fellowship with. Mature friends, pastors, and leaders who provide counsel. (3) The inner witness and conviction of the Holy Spirit.
But just because one is a Christian, things are not any easier. Why? Because, one: There are over 200 denominations or flavors of Christianity. Thus, just as you can find a large diversity of people in general who believe certain things, you can, within the label of “Christian” also find hundreds of variations of beliefs. And with these various beliefs, you may find documentation, leadership and communities who believe the same things.
Number two: The way in which we ‘think’ the Holy Spirit is convicting our hearts is very often just the programming or teaching that we have already received. If you have been taught a certain way, and grown up in a community believing similarly, you will feel, in your gut or spirit, “convicted” that it is that way.
So again, the question that most likely comes to mind is, HOW can we know what is true, or what to believe?
But asking or answering that question isn’t most important…
When it comes to Christianity, (ie. the lifestyles, beliefs or religion of people who have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; believing and accepting his death as payment for our sins) our standing, strength and security is not based on our right believing but rather in our trusting. It’s not about the knowledge in our heads, but the person of the Holy Spirit who resides in our hearts, testifying that we are members of the family of God.
And so, my actual point here is that, it’s not about asking the question, “what” to believe or “how” should we believe. My concern or admonishment is that we PROTECT what we believe. We need to protect, reinforce and jealously guard that which we hold true.
Reasons to Perpetuate Your Own Bias
Just because you believe something is true now, doesn’t mean you will think the same thing in six months or six years. Life has a way of bombarding us with an array of messages, opinions and negative experiences — all of which can deeply affect us to the core.
In the Old Testament, there are strange passages that talk about plastering your home with God’s law. Speaking them over and over to yourself and to your children. There are verses that describe the most devout men walking around with a tiny box strapped to their forehead. Inside the box is a scripture passage of God’s promises or commands.
Imagine this as similar to how today’s self-help gurus who talk about tearing out magazine pictures of things you want on your walls. It’s a way to reinforce your vision or values and keep you focused.
And this is the point. What you believe needs to be reinforced. If you do not continue speaking to yourself, reading, listening, surrounding yourself with people who share your belief and values you will likely lose them. You will be persuaded to think something different or disregard them as central truth to you. They will become one of the many ideas out there.
If you hold all truth as equal you will end up having no truth.
Personally, I love to learn and grow. I love meeting people who think completely different than I. Christian or atheist, anarchist, republican or libertarian. It’s all good. People can be who they are and I can get along fine with them. However, when I spend weeks or months putting my core beliefs on the backburner… Getting passionate about, say, business or bio-hacking but passive about prayer or dying empty I get… watery….I get kinda “blah”. I lose time; I waste away being an “eclectic man of the world”, with my purpose and true identity on-hold.
To be a man or woman of purpose, you need to be ok with perpetuating your own bias. You need to be ok with having tunnel vision in reference to your passion. You need to make it a habit to constantly return to the basic and foundational elements. You don’t always to have jump on the latest ideas. That which you find worthy to be planted deep in your heart, should be kept fresh and remain as majority stakeholder.
Does this make sense?
I’m reminded of the classic book, Battlefield of the Mind, by Joyce Meyer. That is such an appropriate title. There is a battle for the heart and mind… Though 90% of us, are not actively engaged. But those who stay the course and fight to the end will have recognized this and not taken it lightly.
Ok. That’s all I have.
I hope this encourages you…
Create a great day.