truth

Proverbs 12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. 

Cognitive Dissonance

While debunking blatantly obvious false claims on Facebook, I am bewildered by people who are so totally unwilling to accept any conflicting ideas no matter how much logical evidence is provided.  Of course it often comes down to who's truth they are willing to accept disregarding any evidence that is contrary to their beliefs - because any opposing information must be fabrications.  The problem is only compounded when people's false beliefs are a result of hearing the same thing so many times over the years that they become embedded and accepted as fact.  One of my favorite new claims is that the urban legend debunking website Snopes has an obvious bias and will outright lie in some of their stories.  If you mindfully examine these claims you will always find that Snopes provides more than adequate evidence and references to support "their side of the story" having to do with the exact information provided on any given topic - far more in fact than the false stories claim themselves and at the very least, plausible deniability.  Most often they are ridiculed for bias not because their facts are wrong specific to any given story, but because they infringe on an illusion.

Cognitive dissonance theory is founded on the assumption that individuals seek consistency between their expectations and their reality.  Because of this, people engage in a process called dissonance reduction to bring their cognitions in line with their level of comfort - reducing discomfort and restoring balance caused by alterations in ones attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors.  This creation of uniformity allows for a lessening of psychological tension and distress.  The most powerful form of dissonance reduction is achieved by simply ignoring or denying any information that conflicts with existing beliefs.

Titus 2But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

  

His truth is marching on

We have reached a point where instant information is at our fingertips...but truth still alludes us.  Liars are rampant in the information age.  I have a saying here at TFL - If someone describes an event or situation to me, I tend to say there is no way I can know the real truth unless I was there to witness it myself - and even then I am only half sure of what the truth really is.  Satan loves deceit and it is his strongest weapon.  The good news is there is an "app" available that can help with any situation.  The Holy Bible - The Living Word of God.  When I was growing up, we would sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic in music class and in choir.  I must have sung this song a hundred times.  Today we sang it in church and I listened to the words for the first time...

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.

John 14 : 1 Let not your heart be troubled : ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am , there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know , and the way ye know . 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest ; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  89,100,72,0,B,.32