Dear Family and Friends,

After watching our 9 month old grandson for a few days this past week, we’ve concluded that he has grown into that stage of life we all dread…

He desires to personally investigate (and taste) everything he sees. With his newfound crawling skills, drawers and cabinets are his new worlds to explore. Nothing – be it distance or mere barriers – stops him from satisfying his boundless curiosity.

When God made us in His image, He gave us a fundamental trait He doesn’t need. It’s called curiosity.

Instances of curiosity can be found throughout the Bible.

The shepherds were curious. “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Luke 2:15 NIV

The Samaritan woman as well. “Where can you get this living water?”  ‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Then there was the time the eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else? Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”  Acts 8:34-35 NIV

Can you see what’s special about these passages? They all point to Jesus.

Beyond our desire to know or learn things about our world, mankind has always had a curiosity about God.

That curiosity can lead us closer to Jesus. Or it can lead us down a wrong path, like the one taken by Adam and Eve.

“I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I recently read a scientific study titled, “Tinkering with Technology and Religion in the Digital Age: The Effects of Internet Use on Religious Belief, Behavior, and Belonging.” (P. McClure 2017)

To summarize, the survey and study found that Internet usage decreases the likelihood of being religiously affiliated and religiously exclusive.

The more exposed people were to the sheer volume of information (and misinformation) found on the Internet, the less likely they were to commit to any one religion, if at all.

Perhaps this helps to explain the absence of younger generations in churches today.

The study also found that while the Internet may be useful in proclaiming God’s word, Internet technology can also be used to manipulate (falsify) God’s word.

My friends, this second point is concerning.

Many of us are curious about God and His word. In our quest to learn and grow in our knowledge of Him many of us consult resources on the Internet.

That said, we should be mindful of this advice from John.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  1 John 4:1 NIV

The term “spirit” is not referring to a ghost or demonic being but rather to someone who is truly moved by God’s Spirit, or falsely boasts that he is.

The term “false prophets” refers to those who misrepresent God’s word. They twist God’s word into what they want it to say. They may say they represent God, but they really seek their own desires.

The world has not changed much since the time John wrote this passage, except the means of communication used by false prophets. The Internet is flooded with the “wisdom” of false prophets.

So, what are we to do?

There is a saying about not throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

Let’s not allow these bad characters to squelch our curiosity. The enemy would love for us to stop pursuing the Lord.

Let’s instead be discerning about what we watch, listen to and read.

How do we discern what is the truth or not ?

As Jesus prepared His disciples for what was to come, He told them, “when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”  John 16:13 NIV

Jesus did not abandon His disciples. Nor has He abandoned us. We have the Helper who lives with us and is in us.

One way to discern the truth is to listen to your inner voice (the Holy Spirit). He may whisper things like: Have I heard another pastor say that before? Is that really what the Bible says? Did Jesus really make such a bold promise?

Take the time to answer these questions. And if you cannot find the answer in the Bible, seek help from your pastor.

Praying that you find the truth.

In love always,