Spiritual Dyslexia

Which Way do we Go?

Several years ago, I attended a professional development event at a nearby school district.  As heads of the math and social studies departments, respectively, my best friend Darbi and I were chosen as part of the team that was sent.  When we broke for lunch, Darbi knew where the restaurant was that we wanted to go to, however, I was driving so she was going to give me directions as we went.  I approached a 4-way stop with many cars waiting in all directions.  While we waited our turn to be first at the stop sign, I asked her which way we needed to turn.  The conversation went like this:

(Me) “Which way are we going?”

(Darbi) “Left.”

(Me) “Are you sure?”

(Darbi) “Yeah, left.”

(Me) “Are you absolutely sure?”

(Darbi…slightly perturbed) “Yeah.  It’s left.”

(Me) “Are you absolutely sure…Miss Dyslexia?”

(Darbi…more perturbed & slightly defiant) “Yes, yes.  It’s left.”

Darbi has dyslexia and is notorious for confusing left and right.  We are very close and joke with each other in this manner.  I had my doubts, but I wasn’t about to ask her again.  I thought that just might be too much.  Right on cue, as I turned left, Darbi protested, “No, no, no.  The other way!”  I shook my head and looked at her.  We both laughed and eventually found our way to the restaurant.

I believe the world is suffering from spiritual dyslexia, and the rate of affliction is alarming.

People have completely lost their sense of direction.  Right is left and left is right.  Wrong is right and right is wrong.  Up is down and down is up, and I don’t even know what sideways is any more.  This affliction is rampant among the lost of this world, but what I find particularly distressing is that so many people who say they are Christians seem to be stricken with the same disorder.

Today’s society is perfectly content erasing all the rules and customs that used to govern us, which, thank God, are mostly based on Judeo-Christian values.  Life is 99% black and white, but this new way of thinking wants to deal only in shades of gray.  God deals in absolute certainties.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness,
who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who consider themselves wise and judge themselves clever, (Isaiah 5:20-21).

I Want the Truth

Truth seems to be some sort of a mish-mash for many today.  Worse, is a new mantra I’ve heard a lot recently…her truth, his truth, or your truth – and those who spout such nonsense think themselves so clever.  What does that even mean?  Do you realize how utterly ridiculous that sounds?  It’s like when Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:37).  I’m going to make this really simple for you.  Here’s the truth:

Truth is Truth.  Truth is real.  Truth exists.  Truth is not a perception.  Truth is not subject to interpretation.  Truth can’t be made to fit your agenda.  Truth won’t change to enhance your lifestyle.  Truth is alive.  Jesus is Truth.

I am the way, the truth, and the life, (John 14:6).

The Truth is…the Truth might hurt.  It might be painful.  Truth might not be what you want to hear.  It might be really difficult to live by and follow.  But Truth is Truth, and it can’t be changed.

Truth was established by the most Holy Righteous Judge who sits on high.  It originated from His abundant holiness.

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name, (Psalm 86:11).

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, (John 1:17).

Where do you go to find Truth?

Well, you just learned that Jesus is Truth.  Jesus is also the Word of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth, (John 1:1 & 14).

If you are looking for Truth, read the Word.  Nothing but Truth will be found there.  Every issue you could ever think of has an answer in God’s Word.  It is ALL relevant.  It is ALL applicable.

Do you know what Daily Bread is?  Give us this day our daily bread, (Matthew 6:11).  Daily Bread is Truth, it’s the Bible, it’s Jesus.  We need this every day to sustain us, strengthen us, prepare us, help us.  If you aren’t eating your Daily Bread you’re starving and in a weakened state.

Truly I tell you, anyone who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh, (John 6:47-51).

A Serving of Daily Bread

Conforming, appeasing, denying, indulging, are things we simply cannot do.  As an example, in the last twenty years, society has changed drastically and now wants everyone to accept the homosexual and transgender lifestyles as perfectly normal and acceptable.  I am not a homophobe, bigot, hater, or any other bad name you want to label me with.  I love all people, and I do not discriminate or think people’s rights as citizens of this country should be revoked or limited.  I am simply trying to make a point using Scripture…so, hear me out.  What was wrong is now supposed to be right.  One big problem…God.

Now both of these issues ultimately relate to sexual relations, and God is perfectly clear in what He has established for mankind.  You can research a million verses, but it comes down to this.  Sex is meant to be experienced between a husband and wife (that’s a man & woman).  Sex is a beautiful, fun, exciting, sacred act that is blessed by God within those confines.  Anything outside of that is contrary to God’s Plan, and it is sin.  Let’s see what Jesus has to say on the matter:

But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate,(Mark 10:6).

What WAS wrong IS STILL wrong no matter how badly you want something else, how many times you hear the opposite, if pertains to your child, or how advanced you think society is.  Can man advance beyond God?

Timothy specifically lists homosexuality, as well as other sexual immoralities, as being contrary to the Gospel, (1 Timothy 1:10).  Furthermore, we are not to use God’s Truth as an excuse to hate and condemn those who sin.  There are no verses in the Bible about loving your neighbor except…share the Gospel with all except…pray for everyone except…  We are to love as Christ loved.  None of us are without sin.  Sin is sin, is sin is sin.

We must also be aware that we are facing a new kind of attack.  Satan is so clever, and his most recent tactic is to use our own beliefs against us.  We are now characterized as being full of hatred and bigotry, and accused of using the Bible as an excuse.  Opponents of God vehemently spread their “enlightenment” – developed by this ever advancing society – into the true hearts of Christians.  What is really tragic about this mistaken enlightenment of Christianity is that it is just so absolutely wrong that it is actually a darkening of thought – there is no light.  We do not hate.  We can’t.  Oh, you may want to, but if Jesus is truly in your heart, you won’t ever be at peace trying to hate someone.  Jesus loved EVERYONE.  If we are to be like Him, we cannot hate, but we must be ready for battle.  That requires eating your Daily Bread.  That is how you will be strong and equipped with the Full Armor of God, (Ephesians 10-18).

Freedom isn’t Free

As Believers, we have been bought and paid for with a price.  Our bodies are not our own to do with what we please.  I said earlier that the Truth may not be something you want to hear, but it is what it is.  Who am I to change it?  Believers must choose to deny themselves a lifestyle of sin.  We must choose God’s Way.  He never promises it will be easy, or that it will come without your own sacrifices.  So, the Truth is that it doesn’t matter if you identify more with the opposite sex, and you want desperately to become that gender.  You must die to self and put God first, but you are never alone in your struggle.  God is always with you.

Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace, (Romans 6:11-14).

Instead of using left and right in the car for directions, Darbi and I now say “this way” or “that way”, depending on who is directing and which way we need to go.  If I say, “this way”, then we turn the car to whichever side of the car I’m sitting on.  Such as that.  This type of dyslexia can be dealt with and overcome in many ways.

I only use the issue of homosexuality and transgenderism as one example of how our society is living with spiritual dyslexia.  Unfortunately, spiritual dyslexia effects much more than just these issues.  Don’t allow yourself to be a victim of it or in any way perpetrate it upon others, but sanctify yourself in Truth and it will live in your heart.  Spiritual dyslexia can be overcome by the Word of God.  With overflowing love, share Truth with others, and do not presume to be their judge.  The Great Judge is very much alive and sovereign, and He will use His Truth…The ONLY Truth to judge.

If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free, (John 8:31-32).

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