The other day I was going through a pre-marital counseling session with a couple and we were looking at the subject of valuing the differences in each other. Part of our session together was spent watching a video segment that included a round-table discussion with multiple couples sharing the differences between them and their spouse. One of the things that was mentioned and stood out to me was the reality that everyone’s preferences, likes, dislikes, and even personalities are shaped by the world in which they live and in which they grew up. I grew up in Michigan. Therefore, I love Michigan. I grew up going to Disney World on vacation. Therefore, I think Disney World is the best place to go on vacation. I was raised by a germaphobic mother. Therefore, I am a germaphobe! What I like, what I do, and what I think are all based on what I know, my experiences, and what I grew up experiencing. That is the “lens” I sometimes lookthrough that dictates my opinion on other’s likes, dislikes, preferences, and even their personalities.
For the past couple of months I have been teaching through a series in youth group entitled “LENS”. Throughout this series, we have looked at a number of topics and current issues that are being discussed, promoted and talked about in our culture and in the media. It doesn’t take long to see that there are many different views on some of these issues. All you have to do is watch the news, read the paper, or even just log on to Facebook. Everybody has an opinion and we live in a time and place where everyone has a platform to share it.
My entire point and purpose in this study has been all about making it clear that a person’s opinion and belief of any issue or topic is based on the lens in which they are looking at it through. For followers of Christ, the Bible is the only lens that should dictate how we view the world and everything in it.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Do you allow God’s Word to be your source of knowledge and truth? Do you allow God’s Word to be the ultimate authority on how you live your life? Do you view the world and everything in it through the lens of Scripture? I think one of the reasons we sometimes don’t allow God’s Word to dictate how we live and view the world is because we don’t believe the first few words of that passage…“All Scripture is BREATHED OUT BY GOD.” The Bible isn’t just some book written by a bunch of random guys who wanted to give their opinion. It was fully inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. If we truly believe the Bible is God’s Word, we would give it authority as the absolute source of truth for everything in our lives and how we view the world.
Would you join me in being purposeful about studying God’s Word more? As Paul pointed out, the Bible is sufficient and profitable for our growth in all things “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” As we study God’s Word, we will be more equipped to view the world through the proper lens!
– PB