Post-truth. It’s a term some have heard. Essentially, it means objectivity has lost its footing to subjectivity; feelings and opinion are preferred over facts.
According to a Gallup poll: “A record-low 20% of Americans now say the Bible is the literal Word of God. That’s down from 24% the last time the question was asked in 2017. Meanwhile, a new high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of ‘fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.’”
But my concern is what the church thinks and does. What do churches (and especially pastors) appeal to as their final authority? Do they regard the Bible as God’s unchanging Word? His timeless, transcendent truth? Or is the Bible weighed along with societal norms and public sentiment?
Jesus saw the Scriptures as unbreakable divine authority, as objective and universal truth. He cited the Old Testament 64 times! In fact, He said, “The Scripture cannot be broken!” (John 10:35). The Bible is much more than a family heirloom, a literary masterpiece or an “inspiring” work akin to Shakespeare. Jesus saw it as God’s living voice, and so should we.
Churches Must Teach the Scriptures
People tend to evaluate churches by their friendliness, activities, events or things like age-specific groups and music. Rarely do you hear a church described by the character, power and content of its preaching.
Spiritual birth, truth and growth are among the benefits of listening to and absorbing God’s Word. We should be looking for churches that exemplify these important things. If the church you attend doesn’t have Bible teaching as its foundational activity, leave and find one that does. Because if we are growing in God’s Word, everything else falls into place.
James outlines three profound benefits of God’s Word.
It Produces Spiritual Birth (James 1:18)
Believers are “born again” through Scripture’s seed—1 Peter 1:23 affirms this: “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but … through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
This isn’t abstract; it’s personal. Faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). In 1973, as I was watching Billy Graham on TV, the Gospel pierced my heart like a seed breaking hard soil. I felt deeply my need for Christ and His transformative power. Then, conviction exploded into understanding and saving faith, and I was born again. It was real, and it was life-changing.
The Bible reveals realities about God, humanity, sin, and salvation, and those realities change lives. A life redeemed testifies to the Word’s power.
It Provides Spiritual Truth (James 1:19-20)
James 1:19-20 is often misquoted as generic advice to “listen more.” But this passage ties directly to the “word of truth” mentioned in verse 18. Be eager to hear it, reluctant to argue against it, and slow to resent it.
“Swift to hear” means being a careful listener when the Bible is taught. The hearing ear becomes the conveyor of truth to the believing heart. The Bereans exemplify this. In Acts 17:11, they eagerly received Paul’s words, but then “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
But modern culture sabotages listening. The average adult attention span has plummeted from 2.5 minutes to 8 seconds since 2004. It’s rare to slow down to listen to the Word in our hyperactive world. But doing so is necessary because it activates faith and conviction in our hearts. Like the Emmaus disciples said, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us?” (Luke 24:32).
“Slow to speak” complements listening. Though it’s good to ask sincere questions to broaden our understanding, James challenges believers to bridle their tongues, lest unbridled speech deceive (James 1:26) or hinder growth (James 3:1-2).
“Slow to wrath” targets simmering resentment. The Word of God will confront sins and beliefs, causing some listeners to build barriers by marginalizing those truths, rationalizing sinful behavior, or even worse, to grow bitter. Paul asked the Galatians, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). Such resistance blocks God’s righteous life in us.
It Promotes Spiritual Growth (James 1:21)
You can’t grow spiritually in any meaningful way without a steady diet of Scripture. James writes, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word …” We must give up something to receive something. The word filthiness here comes from a Greek word referring to earwax, perhaps implying to rid ourselves of anything that hinders us from really hearing the Word of God.
As a pastor, I know that it requires work to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Second Timothy is clear on the importance of those entrusted with pastoring, teaching and leading God’s people. But because all Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, God’s Word must be taught to equip for every good work God intends (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Facts still matter. Truth still stands, and real truth is far better than post truth.
