SKEPTICAL OF THE SKEPTIC

I have been accused of being one who over analyzes--who spends far too much time thinking and pondering.  Perhaps there is truth in this, but it also bodes well for me when it comes to gossip.  I am NOT a good ear for the local gossips or in fact social media or even the National Media.  I almost always call into question repeated stories and wild claims.  Having learned--unless you were there to see the deed (and even then our eyes and ears are not always totally reliable), there is a strong possibility I am not hearing the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  For in fact--our personal perception--our personal biases can cloud our stories--even when we are honestly trying to tell the truth.  


MANY long years ago, I worked in a bank for a period of time.  Long enough to receive training of what to do in case of a robbery.  One of the things they stressed was to not discuss it among ourselves until we had been interviewed by the authorities.  You see depending upon the person, it is highly likely we will all have a slightly different description of the robber.  Somewhere in the middle of all the descriptions is the story.


Gossip is the perfect example of why we need to be skeptical.  Once a story is told and retold--and embellished--it begins to have little resemblance to the truth.  We have all experienced the prick of the gossip's tongue.  It is painful enough to be talked about--without the story loosing any close relation to the truth.  



SO--I am a skeptic of the highest order.  Right, wrong, or indifferent---I need more than a repeated story to take it at face value.  A first hand account is best--or even better--straight from the mouth of the horse.




I heard an excellent sermon yesterday on Luke.  Luke was a physician---a scientist--a skeptic of the highest order.  He did not accept claims from third parties---he wanted first hand accounts.  The current sermon series is on Luke and the message was from the first four verses.  It seemed Luke did not accept the stories of Jesus without interviewing the first hand accounts himself.  He needed to know for certain what the truth was before writing even one word.  God KNEW there would be skeptics among us--He provided us with Luke's account to satisfy our doubting souls.  What a gift!

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events 
that have been fulfilled among us
. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us
 from the early disciples.
[a] Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning,
 I also have decided to write an accurate account for you,
 most honorable Theophilus, 
so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
Luke 1:1-4

6 comments

  1. From what you say here it leads me to believe that you do not believe all I say on my Blog. This is a pity because it is all true, I tell you, and I have not told one lie in the whole of my life. You say you want to hear it from the horse's mouth. But this is not possible because my horse is right now busy writing my Blog post for tomorrow. So you can read it from the horse's hoof tomorrow and it will be as true as if he said it himself, or myself even. My horse and I only publish the truth on my Blog.

    That aside, I like your post today and congratulate you on a good lesson for us all.

    P.S. Do you have some sugar cubes for my horse?

    God bless.

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    1. Once again I thank you for my first chuckle of the day, Victor. You and your horse have quite a talent!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  2. Giggling over Victor. I had a similar discussion with son and hubby yesterday concerning gossip. One always has to discern the truth from all angles and from whom it is being said from, what, where etc. Great post, Lulu. smiles

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    1. Don't we love Victor! I am always anticipating what his comment will be when writing 😊! Don't believe it unless you have seen it might be good rule to follow when it comes to gossip!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  3. Gossip, slander, all that ... yeah, if there's a sin we Christians lean into, that would be one of them. One of many. Thanks for your wise words, for pointing out some truths that needed to be spoken ...

    Well said, Lulu.

    * Oh, that Victor!

    ;-}

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    1. YES---we ALL love, Victor. As I sat and listened to a first hand story today at lunch, I thought about the truth being hard enough--without embellishment! WHY--do we do this to one another??
      Blessings, My Friend!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!