One Simple Truth - Day 20: There is no private or personal truth.

“My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“The Emperors New Clothes” is a rather humorous short story by Hans Christian Anderson. The plot of the story involves a very vain emperor who spent all his time acquiring and wearing new clothes.

One day two con men decided to cash in on the emperor’s vanity. The two con men came to the emperor and claimed that they had special looms that could weave beautiful fabric only seeable by those who are worthy of their position. In fact, they really hammed up the ruse by spending several days “weaving the fabric” for the emperor’s new clothes.

During this period of time the emperor sent some of his servants to see how it was going. Of course, they saw the looms moving rapidly with these two men “weaving” this miracle “fabric.” But alas, they could not see the fabric. However, fearful of losing their positions if they were deemed unworthy, they pretended to see this beautiful fabric and even gave the emperor rave reviews about how it was coming along.

When the time came that they were finished with the fabric, the two “tailors” brought in the emperor and carefully fitted the beautiful new clothes on him.

As you might’ve suspected, the emperor could not see the clothes either. But with everybody else giving rave reviews as to what they were seeing, the emperor was left with no choice but to join in about how beautiful the clothes were.

To celebrate his acquiring of these miraculous clothes, the emperor knighted the two “tailors” and ordered a parade which he would lead.

As the parade commenced, there were even servants “carrying” the beautiful train of the new clothes.

Having heard the story that only those who were worthy would be able to see the clothes, the people raved and cheered as the emperor walked past. That is, until a little boy screamed out the obvious: “The emperor is naked!”

Everyone, realizing they had been duped, began to laugh. The emperor did not laugh, but rather kept walking. He was too far in to turn back now.

Yes, we clearly see that the vanity of the emperor led to this embarrassing scene. And of course, we know that the other people in the story feigned seeing the fabric as they were fearful of losing their positions.

As preposterous as this story is, I can see definite parallels between this scenario and something that is going on in our society today.

You see, people are purveying some ridiculous notions that would have been summarily dismissed, rejected unceremoniously, only a few years ago.

Think about what we would’ve said just a few years ago about a man saying that he is now a woman and so competes in women’s sports.

Think about what we would’ve said just a few years ago about someone saying that opinions with which they disagree are somehow violence being perpetrated against them.

Think about what we would’ve said just a few years ago about putting feminine hygiene machines in boy’s bathrooms. And yes, what about allowing boys, who are now “girls,” to undress in girl’s locker rooms.

These are but a very few of the absurdities seen today in our society.

So, many of us see the absurdity in these are ridiculous notions, but are intimidated to say what is obvious. And just like those people in the emperor’s kingdom, we fear losing our position in society.

Additionally, the people who are promoting these absurd notions, do so out of their own vanity. That is, they believe that if they think something should be a certain way, then it is that certain way.

People now even talk about a certain person’s “truth.” That is to say that truth can be personal or private to an individual, that each person can determine what is their own truth. Therefore, if a person feels a certain way, then that is what is right for them; that is their truth.

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Bible tells us that our own understanding falls far short of truth.

Indeed, we are told to not be conformed to the world’s notions concerning things, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our way of thinking becomes changed, transformed, as we allow our thoughts to be informed by the word of God.

In our opening scripture we see the proverbial writer urging his child to not be impressed with his own way of being and doing. Rather, he should fear the Lord and seek His guidance. In doing so, he will find healing, body, soul, and spirit.

Child of God, I am not saying that we can, or even should, force our way of thinking on others. But make no mistake, when we conform to the world’s idea of truth, when we believe that individuals can have their own personal truth that is right for them, although diametrically opposed to the word of God, then we are in danger of not only looking ridiculous like the emperor and the people in our story, but looking that way before the throne of God.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#resolveforhim

#onesimpletruth