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The Weight of
the Evidence
Introduction
For Christians (and others) who hold beliefs and
convictions that play a role in shaping character
and affecting their life, it is important to have a
solid foundation of accurate information for those
beliefs.
The foundation should be established upon a reliable
source of authority, which for the Christian is the
Bible. The material that comes together to build that
foundation is called the weight of evidence.
In these times when every wind of doctrine seems
to have been let loose upon the world, it is essential
that truth, as God has revealed it in His word, be
clearly understood.
Christians have a responsibility to know individually,
for themselves, the truth and be able to reply
intelligently when asked what they believe, and why.
In Ecclesiastes 4:12 we are told:
... a threefold cord is not easily broken.
and the same holds true with subjects of importance
found in God's word. The more cords (scriptural
evidence) a subject has, the stronger that evidence
appears, which can lead to conviction and assurance
that what is being learned is truth.
The Bible tells us how the weight of evidence for
discerning truth can be established, and the result
of having such evidence.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:105
For with thee is the fountain of life:
in thy light shall we see light.
Psalms 36:9
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,
and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver,
and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou understand
the fear of the LORD,
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD giveth wisdom:
out of his mouth cometh knowledge
and understanding.
Proverbs 2:3-6
For precept must be upon precept,
precept upon precept;
line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little:
Isaiah 28:10
This is the third time I am coming to you.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses
shall every word be established.
2 Corinthians 13:1
Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Prove all things;
hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you a reason
of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 3:15
In addition to these things the word of God needs to
be studied with the following guidelines and goals in
mind:
Study prayerfully
Be careful for nothing
[don't worry about anything];
but in every thing by prayer
and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
Ask God for the wisdom you lack
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.
James 1:5
Let the Holy Spirit guide you
in the search for truth
Howbeit when he,
the Spirit of truth is come,
he will guide you into all truth:
for he shall not speak of himself;
but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me:
for he shall receive of mine,
and shall shew it unto you.
John 16: 13, 14
Don't predetermine a subject's accuracy.
Wait until the weight of evidence has been clearly established
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3: 5, 6
When you are studying God's word
don't forget that Jesus is:
...the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
John 14:6
Allow Him to extend your understanding,
keep an open mind, and remember...
only God has an infallible view of truth.
Light is progressive... there is always more
that can be learned and understood.
...the path of the just is as a shining light,
that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18
Be sincere that you may grow
and mature in spiritual things.
As newborn babes,
desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby...
1 Peter 2:2
Many people read and study the Bible, but many
do not come to the same conclusions.
Part of the problem for this rests in the fact that
subjects often have not been impartially and
completely examined before decisions were made
regarding them.
Another reason is that people are sometimes taught
that a subject has a certain meaning, and they are
encouraged go to the Scriptures to try to prove that
what they heard is true, instead of letting the
Scriptures reveal the truth
Trying to discern the truth of a matter by approaching
it with pre-conceived ideas is not only unreliable, but
it can also become harmful to the spiritual life.
It is much better to let the Scriptures speak for
themselves. Gather as many references about a
particular topic which the Bible contains.
After you are assured that you have the full "body"
of evidence secured, weigh it (study) carefully each
reference to understand what the record reveals.
There may be some verses that seem to fit well,
and others may not.
Look carefully at the context in which each reference
was found.
If a verse doesn't apply to what you are examining,
don't try to make it fit.
Before long a true light will shine forth on your
subject of interest, and the truth will be discovered.
And if it is accurate it will be able stand the test of
further examination, and still remain true. The
balance can be found.
There are some subjects of interest that only God
will be able to fully answer. It's wise not to indulge
in speculation and theories when a solid base of
evidence is clearly lacking. In God's time such things
will be revealed for the satisfaction of all.
If the counsels that have been presented in this
article are faithfully applied, better and more
accurate conclusions regarding truth can generally
be reached. We hope you will find this also to be true.
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Best wishes.
