Who do you follow? God is the #1 source for the Truth

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In today’s day and age we live in a culture that is more connected than ever before.  Most of us have smartphones that are capable of delivering information from anywhere in the world in real time.

This technology has given rise to staying connected with friends, loved ones and work colleagues but it has also given rise to various mechanisms for people to share their views for the entire world to consume.

Social media gives us the tools to share our lives with friends and strangers alike. In doing so we also have the ability to share our perspective and point of view – whatever that perspective may be.  We can share information to uplift, encourage and inspire and we can share information to tear down, discredit and destroy.  

News networks bring us local, national and even global news stories. Most often the news will focus on stories of loss, pain and scandal with occasional stories that are shed in a positive light. While the news is designed to be objective information, often it is wrapped in subjective perspectives that slant to particular groups of our society.

We can share information to uplift, encourage and inspire and we can share information to tear down, discredit and destroy.

Podcasts allow an individual or a very small group of individuals to share stories and ideologies to the masses.  Unlike Social Media where there are some rules and restrictions about the types of information that can be shared, podcasts are largely uncensored – allowing an individual to speak almost whatever they wish, knowing they have the power to sway attitudes towards a particular agenda. 

These channels of information are just a few of the many ways we as a culture can consume information.  These channels also give an opportunity to particular individuals who can attain celebrity status – commanding the attention of millions upon millions of listeners or viewers. 

Where do we find wisdom in today’s day and age?

So we have set the stage and recognize the many avenues an individual can express an opinion or point of view.  We recognize that with our smartphones and computers we have access to a volume of information and perspectives – more than can be consumed in any given day.

Let’s circle back now to the question I posed as the title of this message.  Who do you follow?

Do you look to gain wisdom from an individual that has millions of followers on social media or do you look to gain wisdom from God?  

Do you look to follow the advice of an anchor on a news network that aligns with your thoughts and ideas about today’s culture or do you look to gain advice from God?

Do you have a podcast that you can’t wait until each episode comes out? Do you look to take whatever is said in a podcast as truth or do you look to take whatever God said as truth?

I ask you again, who do you follow?

God is the Alpha and the Omega.  God is almighty, Omnipotent and King of kings.  God is the Infinite and the Creator of all things.

 Seek out those who are using social media, podcasts and even news to share the truth of God and how God can bring light into your life.

So, I ask you once more.  Is your guru on social media with 10 million followers more knowledgeable or wiser than God? What about the highest paid news anchor in the world?  If he says go left and God says go right, which way do you go? What about the podcast that you follow that has millions of listeners? If that host explains why a group of people is inferior but God says to love your neighbor, who do you believe?

Looking for guidance and wisdom through Scripture.

The good news is that God wants a level of relationship and connection with us that exceeds what any social media app, news anchor or podcast could achieve.

God desires for you to look to Him – not mankind – for guidance and direction on how to live day to day life.  

Thankfully, we have Scripture in the Holy Bible as a resource for us to learn how God ‘breathed’ His words to many authors over the course of many centuries.

Through scripture in the Bible, we can learn how God seeks to be one with us and we can learn about the sovereignty of God. 

Mankind can do a pretty good job about getting your attention through any of the channels we discussed above, but it will be up to you to decide, from your free will – what source of information you prioritize for wisdom.

As you consider your walk with God, I encourage you to seek out and follow the sources of information that will bring you closer to God – not the ways of mankind.  Seek out those who are using social media, podcasts and even news to share the truth of God and how God can bring light into your life.

Let us trust God’s will in all of our plans and walk forward in faith with anticipation of His leading,

Have you had an opportunity to read from the Bible?  Having read scripture myself, I want to invite you to read the book of Proverbs for a comprehensive source of wisdom.  The book of Proverbs provides context, guidance and direction that is applicable today in 2023, even though it was written nearly 3000 years ago.

God provides wisdom for day to day living

Here are some examples of scripture that can easily be applied to day to day life in today’s day and age, as written in the Amplified Bible.

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 

My angle on this scripture is that if we do our very best to teach our children right from wrong and how to prepare for the world ahead, they will be better equipped to face the world.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:12 

My angle on this scripture actually speaks right to the heart of this message.  We must be very careful when we rely on the advice of others, especially if they are a celebrity.  Beware of those who have tens of millions of followers but give advice to lead you away from God.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17 

My angle on this scripture is that while a friend may be there for you in different times of your life, a true brother or sister is someone who is there at your side when there is great adversity in your life.

God provides wisdom for a relationship with Him

Proverbs is also a great source of information when it comes to our relationship with God.  Here are a couple of examples:

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 

My angle on this scripture is simple.  God knows best!  If you trust God to order your steps and something seems ‘off’ with a situation in your life, have trust in God and not how things may ‘appear’ on the surface.  Often, God is orchestrating timing and events behind the scenes that may not align with your own understanding.

A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. 

Proverbs 16:9

My angle on this scripture is that we can most certainly have dreams, hopes and a vision for what we want in our lives, but it is so important to bring those, dreams, hopes and vision to God. Let us trust God’s will in all of our plans and walk forward in faith with anticipation of His leading, so that we know He will align us on a path that is best for us.

So, Who do you follow to know the truth?

In today’s culture, there are so many ways for us to consume the thoughts, ideas and advice of others.  Wisdom is something we should all seek, but be mindful of how we seek it.   Beyond the traditional ways of seeking wisdom through education and life experience, let us be mindful to also seek wisdom from God Himself.  Today, we learned how the book of Proverbs in the Bible is a timeless treasure trove of wisdom for all.  Let us seek the Word of God in Proverbs alongside our daily walk with God to be equipped with the knowledge that will bring us to a quality of life that can only happen with God’s wisdom.