How to cling to Truth, and avoid the myths.

Looking throughout history, there’s an internal chain reaction that takes place during times of crisis and uncertainty:

1. People get worried, they become fearful, and the anxiety of the unknown can foster panic.
2. People start thinking about the end; of their lives, of society, or of the world. (Thoughts that were previously pushed aside.)
3. People start searching for truth, asking big questions about life, faith, and eternity.

The first two phases are not very helpful. But the third phase a helpful place to land. Hopefully, that’s where you’ve landed.

Where are you at today?

• Are you experiencing worry and anxiety? Are you afraid?
• Is your mind consumed with thoughts of what the future might hold?
• Are you searching for truth; about life, faith, and eternity?

Today, I want to bring some truth into the crisis and uncertainty.

As social media blows up with all sorts of predictions, and prophecies, and myths, increasing fear and panic; we can choose to cling to truth.

And the Apostle Peter, led by the Holy Spirit in the First Century, can help us do just that!

1. Where is Truth Found?

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21

Peter reminds these First Century readers how they got there. What can they cling to? And it’s just as relevant for us, reading these words in the 21st Century.

Truth can be found in “the Prophetic Word.” For the original readers, this was the Old Testament Scriptures. We also have the New Testament Scriptures to provide further truth. We’d be wise to read it, and pay attention to what it says.

Truth can be found in the “Lamp” and “Morning Star.” These are word pictures for Jesus, who is truth, and brings us truth. These two pictures for Jesus are pointers to other Scriptures, both backward to the past, and forward to the future.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Ps. 119:105

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Rev. 22:16

Truth can be found in the “Prophecy of Scripture.” Once again, bringing us back to the Prophetic Word; the Scriptures found in the Bible. Peter states that these words were given to men by God, carried by the Holy Spirit. They can be trusted as truth.

2. Where are Myths Found?

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:1

Myths were found in “False Prophets” of the past. Throughout the Old Testament, there were corrupt individuals who pulled people away from God’s truth. They spun tails that brought confusion and discord among God’s people.

Myths are found in “False Teachers” of today. Peter warns, “there will be false teachers among you,” writing to the Church, to Christians! Walking within our churches, and throughout Christian culture, they can bring “destructive heresies,” untrue teaching, and myths.

Is this still happening today?

This passage could not be more relevant than in our current crisis! Over the past few weeks, I have watched pastors, and ministers, who claim to follow Jesus, yet they’re spinning myths to the world.

Here’s some of what Pastors are pitching today related to the coronavirus situation.

• Coronavirus is sent by Satan, through a demonic spirit, killing elderly people, so that young people can bring socialism to the West.
• Coronavirus is sent by God, attacking the larger urban centres, as punishment for homosexuality and abortion.

Well, which one is it? And do we have a chapter, and verse to back up these claims? Do we have any data to back up these claims?

No, we don’t. These preachers and teachers are spinning myths. Which leads us to our third question.

3. How Do Myths Take Hold?

And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.

2 Peter 2:2-3a

Myths are sensual. Peter tells us that False Teachers use “sensuality,” but not in the sexual way that is often connected in our current culture. Peter is referring to sensual words, that are “pleasing and fulfilling to the senses” (Oxford Dictionary)

Myths exploit. With their words, False Teachers use mechanisms of spiritual and emotional manipulation. They ignore truth, instead striving toward fame and fortune. In the process, exploiting those who follow them.

This is happening during the COVID-19 crisis.

The most popular teaching on the internet right now is that Coronavirus is definitely, the final pestilence (or plague) that is to come before Christ’s return. (Mt. 24:7, Lk. 21:11)

It’s tempting isn’t it? Maybe you internally responded, “You don’t know for sure!” You’re right, I don’t! Jesus could come back at any moment!

Jesus could come back before I’m finished writing this post. Or He could come back 10 years from now. We don’t know when. And He tells us we won’t know. (Mt. 24:36, Mk. 13:32)

Predicting Christ’s return during crisis is not a new concept.

Throughout history, during war, famine, disease, economic decline, and any other time of crisis, false teachers (often referred to as Doomsday Prophets); claim to know exactly when Christ will return. Almost always stated to be immediately following the crisis.

And people crave this teaching. They can’t get enough of it; including thousands of Christians, consuming this content wherever they can get. Because the content is so sensuous, but like Peter warned would happen, it exploits people.

False teaching is often a twist on the truth.

Claiming that Jesus will return someday is not the myth. That’s a truthful statement, based on Biblical evidence. But it’s out of a twist (on that truth), that the myth emerges.

All over the internet, there are preachers and teachers claiming to know intricate details, not directly described in Scripture, but promote them as absolute predictions. And sometimes they flat out claim to be prophets!

How can I know for sure?

Maybe you’re wondering, how can I know for sure, whether or not I’m clinging to Truth, of falling for a myth? I think there are a couple of ways.

1. The outcome of the preaching and teaching. False Teaching and myths increase fear and panic. Teaching centred on the Truth of Jesus brings peace into panic, and freedom into fear.
2. The outcome of our actions. If and when Jesus comes back, what will we be doing? Will we be consuming doomsday videos all day, every day? Or will Jesus find us communicating with friends, family, or maybe total strangers online, bringing them the Truth of His Gospel?

Be careful, be mindful, and be wise in who we follow!