The knowledge of the truth produces well-built convictions.

“For those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14 (b).

Our nation and the whole world are divided than ever before in history. In such dividing ideologies, how do we get strong convictions? Without convictions, we will be a group of people tossing around with different opinions and ideas. Strong convictions are the characteristics of people based on their acquaintance with the truth.

You see, many people believe there is no absolute truth. Because of the absence of the awareness of truth, they side with and make decisions with the majority’s opinions or ideas. No wonder there is an absence of convictions these days. The awareness of truth is the source of strong convictions. Truths are not embodied in suggestions or opinions. It displays in unshakable convictions. Until we have steady knowledge of the truth, we will not hear or experience convictions.

Those who have strong convictions based on the knowledge of the truth are those who make things happen. They are the ones who change the world for the better. As we discussed, the knowledge of the truth is the basis of strong convictions that lead to the right moral decisions and changes. Such people are the paradigm shifters for good amid bad and evil incidents. In a culture of relativism and political correctness, how do we come across absolute truths? Jesus said, “you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32

For many, the truth has not set them free as of yet. How do I know the truth? How do we distinguish truth from falsehood? Good and evil? How do we know what a person speaks is true or not? There are absolute truths. You and I must see the truth to experience true freedom and distinguish good and evil.

You see, truth is not merely heard sayings. Truth is not merely a few ideas handed down to us through generations. We will know the truth only from the creator who created us. There is the only source of truth. God, who created us, gave us the truth of it all in the Bible. The Bible is the owner’s manual that reveals all the truth about life and the future. You see, when we buy a toy for our children, a table for our office, the owner who created it gives us a manual to read and understand the truth about how to fix it. It also provides troubleshooting methods. Only the creator of that item knows the truth about his creation. By reading the owner’s manual, we get convictions.

The same is with God, who is the creator of all. To distinguish good from evil, to know the truth from falsehood, to know the original from duplicates, we need God’s book that He gave to us for daily life. It is called the Scripture-the Bible. On the Bible has this claim- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16. Jesus said in his intercessory to the Father in heaven, and it is recorded in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth”. In other words, separate them by knowing the truth. Then He said how we know the truth, “Your Word is truth.” Your (God’s) Word – the scripture (the Bible) is the truth.

As we get to know the Scripture-the Bible, we will have a strong conviction developing from the truth’s affirmation. We will learn how to distinguish between truth and false. We will understand who tells the truth and who says things based on falsehood. God’s eternal principles revealed in the Bible is the body of truth. Without knowledge of those truths, we will never have convictions. We will have opinions. However, such thoughts and ideas are like waves of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. The result would be double-mindedness and instability.

One more point before I close: Apostle John said this about Jesus in John 1:14. He wrote, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. If you and I want to know the truth, in addition, to get acquainted with the Bible, take a look at Jesus Christ by reading the four Gospels in the New Testament section of the Bible. Jesus was not only full of grace but also full of truth. The more you know Jesus personally, you will see the truth, which would result in unshakable convictions.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, fill in me the truth about you, life here on this earth, and future. I understand Your word – the Bible – is true. Help me to read and train myself in truth. I also know that Jesus is full of grace and truth. I want to know Jesus intimately. I believe Jesus died, buried, and rose again to save me from my sins and wrongdoings. Please forgive my sins and save me now. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”