by Paul Benson
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalms51:6
As Christians everything we are in Jesus Christ, and everything we have from him, revolves around the truth; for he is the truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth; and the Word of God is the Word of Truth. The Bible is a book of promise; and those promises will all be fulfilled to those who embrace a steadfast faith in the one who spoke them forth. But our faith must not be misplaced; putting confidence in a falsehood or a lie will only lead to disappointment (or possibly destruction).
With all the amazing benefits realized from opening up and receiving God’s truth is it any wonder Satan would be so hard at work (Kill! Steal! Destroy!) trying to turn us aside to myths and fables promoted as ‘sound doctrine’? He obsessively wants to rob us any way he can.
Besides the wonder of Salvation just think of all the amazing things which come our way through the truth of God’s Word:
- Healing and Deliverance:
He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalms 107:20 - A New Nature:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4 - Spiritual Growth:
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1 Peter 2:2 - Guidance Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105
- Sanctification
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17 - New Birth
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, … James 1:18 - Etc. etc. etc. (Boy, could I make this a long list!)
The more we make our lives a stronghold of truth the more benefit we will receive from walking in that truth; and the more falsehood we weed out of our belief system the less we will be ill affected by that error. So the effort to ‘prove all things and hold fast that which is good’ (1 Thess 5:21) produces a double dividend! Seeking out the truth and combating deception is well worth the effort!
The Truth is Sanctifying!
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17
I personally believe God’s blessing came upon this nation because the truth of God’s Word was so inter-woven into our culture. The Bible was commonly read at home and work place, in schools it was a textbook, and it was a standard topic of discussion in politics and legislature. Even the old dictionaries (I have one) were chock full of Scripture references used to help define word meaning.
Yes, there were evildoers and corruption in those days also, but on the whole people were generally God fearing and deeply affected by God’s truth. People used to be confronted (and comforted) with God’s Word on a regular basis. That blanket of truth covering the populace sanctified our nation. But sadly some where along the way that blanket became so tattered and torn it was cast aside. And now this once sanctified nation is defiled in God’s eyes, and has become the object of his displeasure.
It’s not just society in general that has lost its grip on truth. The Christian community, which should be a stronghold of truth, has been flooded with a tsunami of false teaching in this recent generation. Jesus said the end-times would see an abundance of false prophets and false teachers. Paul said evil men and seducers would keep getting worse and worse. We are living in the fulfillment of their prophetic words now. But we individually don’t have to degrade just because American culture is. We can walk pleasing to God.
It’s not all good!
One of the things that amazes me most as a Believer is the lack of regard most people (including many professing Christians) have for the truth. It seems like a love for the truth has been replaced with an ‘It’s all good!’ attitude that leaves Christianity retreating to a mindset of ‘agreeing to disagree’. This in turn produces a cozy nest for heresy and unscriptural beliefs to be birthed and nourished.
I closely examine what today’s celebrity preachers and teachers are promoting as Bible truth. If most people realized what the belief system of many popular preachers was they would be flabbergasted. But most don’t have time (or make time) to investigate so they don’t realize they are being affected by falsehood. Sometimes folks need to have those errors brought to the light so they can deal with them. One of the purposes of this blog, and also my personal website, is to help in that regard. I hope you find them useful.
Paul Benson
SPREAD THE WORD!
Let's Get It Right! 
What is your believe in death with respect to going to heaven after death as believers or asleep until the resurrection as I do.
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Hi Chuck;
Just today i had an email asking the same question. Here is what I replied to her:
I am under the impression that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2Cor. 5:6-8), but many respectable men of God feel that we cease to exist until the Resurrection. If so it would be like passing from this life right to Resurrection day so I don’t see a big problem or worry involved if I am not correct.
But many other passages lead me to think we are a spirit living in a body, and that our spirit-man goes to be with Jesus until the Resurrection. How could Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus and the disciples on the mount if they had ceased to exist at death? Also Jesus said Abraham rejoiced to see his (Christ’s) day. How could someone who doesn’t exist do that? The Scriptures say God is the God of the living not the dead.
My suggestion to you is that you seek out some teaching on both views and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth of the matter.
Blessings to you;
Paul Benson
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I’ve been looking at your website for the last few days and really agree with much of what you say and enjoy a lot of your articles. I too, have been seeking truth for many many years and have come to almost all of the same conclusions that you have. One thing I also studied into is extra biblical revelation. Your personal testimony on this site, in my view, unfortunately has that in it. I believe in, It is written. Extra-biblical revelation I believe is actually from the enemy of our souls. Even if it sounds good, godly and biblical, I think it’s really an attack and can’t be trusted. When Jesus was confronted by the devil he countered by quoting scripture. Please understand I’m not saying this as a personal attack on you, it’s just something that I have studied into and wanted to share this with you. As we get closer and closer to the time of our saviors return the Bible says these deceptions are going to get stronger and stronger. Keep seeking the truth brother as we stand in the gap. Ralph
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Hi Ralph;
One thing we must not forget when speaking about any ‘extra-biblical revelation’ is that it might just possibly be true. The Bible does not state that the Earth circles the Sun every 365 days, but that revealed fact is most assuredly true. SO just because the Scriptures do not bring us certain info does not necessarily discredit it. But we do know that the things the Scriptures DO state are absolute fact we can place our confidence in; and all else should be regarded with a good measure of suspicion.
I am not sure what part of my testimony you are referring to as extra-biblical; but I suspect it may be over the infilling of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Am I correct? (If not please do clarify.)
The idea the gift of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the Spirit passed away with the Early Church is a falsehood invented in the mind of man. The Scriptures speak contrary to the idea the gifts have ceased.
Act 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The gifts of the Spirit are a promise to ALL who are called of God; and that promise has never been rescinded! Cessationism (tongues/gifts are not for today’s believers) is a doctrine of man; and NOT taught in the Bible. The idea the gift of the Holy Ghost is not for us today is in itself an ‘extra-biblical revelation’.
Please exercise great caution with that extra-biblical theory!
Blessings;
Paul Benson
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