DISCUSSION:
Verse 4 of 1 Timothy 1 says, “Give no heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes.”
The truth about babies: A new mother said, but we need our rest. So, we started him on formula so he’ll sleep through the night. Sounds logical right? We’ve been told this for years by our parents or others we love and respect. The problem is it’s not true. It’s what we might call an old wives tale, handed down through the years.
An article in the Detroit News added these common fables about babies.
§ A child will catch cold if he’s chilled. They actually catch colds from germs spread by people.
§ Babies need to be kept warmer than adults. Actually we are all the same.
§ A baby that stands too early will be bowlegged. Not true.
§ Cow’s milk is best. Actually it’s harder to digest and doesn’t have as much iron.
It’s the same with spiritual matters. What sounds right may be all wrong. For example:
§ God will make you rich if you give a lot to the church; actually God shows no favoritism to the rich, only spiritual things matter.
§ If our good deeds outweigh our bad ones, we’ll make it to heaven.
§ It doesn’t matter what type of religion we believe and practice, God loves us and will save us anyway. What does the Bible say?
How can we tell myth from reality, truth from fable? Well, when it comes to babies we can check with the pediatrician. But when it comes to spiritual matters we must check with the Bible. When we hear something new, no matter how logical it sounds, we need to compare it to the Word of God. If it agrees with the principles found there, it’s the truth; if not, it’s a lie.
I guess I’d be hard pressed to count the number of times I’ve been ask, “and what do you think?” The truth is, it doesn’t matter what I think, only what God thinks. Our Bibles reveal the mind of God and He alone reveals the truth.