I was in desperate need of a foolproof filter for the flood of advice, opinions, and individual truths flooding my pre- and post-pandemic worlds.
My in-person and virtual worlds were being bombarded with opinions and opposing viewpoints. Enemy lines had been drawn, social boundaries had well been crossed, and everyone around me were quickly becoming subject matter experts in their chosen area of life. Promoting their way or why as the best way of living life. Often ostracizing, isolating, or casting judgement or shame on anyone who disagreed with them.
In the same way, I begin to watch those around me seek out other remedies or impulsive truths to help cope with the growing crowed room of advice, opinions, and viewpoints.
In this pre- and post-pandemic world of opposing beliefs, I needed a filter to help me deal. An infallible truth I could count on. A filter that could be used to cut through the noise of this large, crowed room of provoking thoughts and opinions.
Enter the infallible filter: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1 (NIV).
First, this verse was a call to stand firm in what I knew about Christ, not yoking myself to any beliefs and viewpoints that were counter to the character of God and the truth of His Word. On my personal journey, God had previously revealed the following truths about Himself:
1. God cannot lie, even about Himself (Numbers 23:19). God’s voice will not contradict His word, but will align with what He’s said about himself and others.
2. God always offers hope (Proverbs 23:18). God’s voice will offer hope on the journey and for the destination. His voice always speaks hope over hopelessness.
3. God has fruit for us to recognize Him by (Galatians 5:22-23). God’s voice can be linked back to the fruit of His spirit. The evidence of Himself – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.
Second, this verse was a reminder that God is for our freedom. Ultimately, it is why He came in the first place. To save us and to set us free. God’s voice will not promote or point us to any advice or opinions that do not promote freedom in Him.
When entering our crowded room of opinions and conversations, we can use this text and freedom filter as our guide. Asking ourselves,
1. Does this align with the word of God and what He says?
2. Is this an accurate view of who God is?
3. Does this promote freedom in Christ? Freedom that will show evidence of Christ and the fruit of His spirit in our lives?