Does the 24/7 news cycle confuse or clarify? When statements are made, such as “follow the science”, there is an implication of clarity. The question is whether the reference is to science available for review or part of the science one group may agree with. Whether it is science around Covid-19, climate change or when life starts, it seems confusion percolates while clarity is compromised.

How do you navigate through the confusion? Do you trust media to communicate the truth? What is the truth and where is the source for truth that can be trusted? Confusion around truth, be it with science, history or religion is distracting a generation. Young people are struggling to find clarity in the midst of all that is being stirred up. 

Jesus answered, “… In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. – John 18:37-38. Truth had been so compromised in Roman culture that Pilate just threw up his hands at any concept of truth. There is one person behind stirring up confusion with untruths and that is the devil. He is to be rebuked by men of God and the Church at every turn. The devil started this dance in the garden with Adam and Eve – He stirred up confusion by saying, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Gen.3:1). Adam had the opportunity to provide the clarity needed to rebuke the devil. He could have stood his ground and said, “No. God said we are free to eat of any tree in the garden, except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” The fall and the resultant disconnect between God and man would have been avoided. But passivity ruled that day. Adam kept the “sword of the Spirit”, the word of God in its sheath and failed to cut through the devil’s scheme.

The devil continues to stir up confusion today but seeing Adam’s failure in contrast to Jesus standing firm in Matthew 4:1-11, man has no excuse. The sword must be drawn when the tempter says, “Did God really say, ‘There is a difference between man and woman’?” – Yes! “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Gen.1:27). “Did God really say, ‘Marriage is between a man and a woman’?” – Yes! “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Gen.2:24). “Did God really say, ‘Marriage and family are important’?” – Yes! “Why one? For the sake of raising godly offspring.” (Mal.2:15). “Did God really say, ‘Children are to obey their parents’?” – Yes! “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.” (Eph.6:1-2). “Did God really say, ‘Fathers are important’?” – Yes! “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph.6:4). The sword of the Spirit, clarity in the word of God cuts through the devil’s scheme of confusion. The charge is to know God’s word and wield the sword wisely.

Confusion results when man passively grants the tempter power to compromise what God said. Clarity is God’s word conveying absolute truth for man. As Paul said, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). All fall but God’s word is still the Standard. Stop the devil in his tracks with the clarity of God’s word. Wield the sword of the Spirit wisely to cut through the devil’s scheme of confusion for the sake of the next generation.

Prayer guide: Lord, I thank You for Your Word and the Word become flesh in Jesus the Christ. I confess that I have not spent as much time in Your word as I have spent listening to the 24/7 news cycle. Forgive me. It is obvious that Your word is the sword of the Spirit to be drawn when the tempter tries to stir up confusion. Grant me the discipline needed to read, know and call on Your word. Help me wield the sword wisely to provide the clarity needed to lead my family in this world. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad the next generation needs. Amen.

A faithful father reads, knows and uses God’s Word to provide clarity in this world.