What Filter are You Using?
I hope you’re having a good week so far. I want to thank you all for not only reading, but sharing my lengthy post from last week. It has been viewed by over 30,000 people so far. Perhaps it struck a cord with many people who feel their voices have been sensored or they simply wanted others to hear my viewpoint. Either way, hopefully it will encourage people to take a balanced stand when dealing with the challenges we face each day around the world.
Most of the comments were very positive, supportive as well as encouraging. However, as always, there were a few that took offense and responded with some type of rebuttal, with an attempt to correct my theology or viewpoint. That’s expected, and welcomed. It also reminds me of what I’ve seen throughout my lifetime with regards to why people who claim to be Christians, who claim to believe the Bible, have extremely different viewpoints when it comes to political ideology.
All of us process what we see, hear, or feel with some type of “filter.” That filter is developed through our life experiences, our choices, and for the most part, what we have come to value in life. If that filter is flawed in some way we usually don’t see it, because after all, it’s our filter.
I believe there are at least three filters that we all need to maintain a balanced, as well as productive life.
1. Intellectually Honest Filter
Proverbs 12:19 NLT Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
Without this filter we will not be able to change even when confronted by the truth. There are some people who are so intellectually dishonest that even though they know that what they are believing or supporting is wrong, they do it anyway. James 4:17 tells us that, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” Some people just refuse to look at the facts around them, because the facts do not support their agenda.
2. Emotionally Neutral Filter
Deuteronomy 11:16 NLT But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the LORD and serve and worship other gods.
This is difficult for all of us. We are emotional beings, and they play an important part in our lives. Advertisers know this, as well as fund raising agencies. We see commercials on tv showing us pictures of someone or some thing that is hurting, neglected, and in pain. The ad goes on to say that if we don’t help today, they will be lost, suffer more, or die. My emotion would say, yes, I will send you money today. But when I engage my emotionally neutral filter, I begin to look at it differently. Yes, I still have compassion, but I begin to ask questions. Questions like, what are you actually going to do to relieve this suffering? How is my donation going to be used. Will I receive any updates on this project, etc. They are counting on you to not think, but act on your emotions. Emotions can keep us from hearing and processing the truth about a situation that we are passionate about.
When it comes to making right choices and sometimes very difficult choices we need to filter our emotions so that they do not cause us to make wrong decisions.
3. Biblically Accurate Filter
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
When I say “Biblically Accurate”, the first response may be, according to who? That’s a good question to ask. One person may interpret a portion of scripture differently than another. The short answer to that question is the first two words of this verse...All Scripture. When developing life choices and decisions on God’s Word it is important that we do not simply “pick and choose” what we want to use. We must look at the “all” to get a balanced and more accurate picture of truth. I’ll dig into this a little more in a later post.
For now, let’s all try to check our “filters” to make sure that we actually have them, and that they are not clogged up with the debris of life.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Gary Brothers
Most of the comments were very positive, supportive as well as encouraging. However, as always, there were a few that took offense and responded with some type of rebuttal, with an attempt to correct my theology or viewpoint. That’s expected, and welcomed. It also reminds me of what I’ve seen throughout my lifetime with regards to why people who claim to be Christians, who claim to believe the Bible, have extremely different viewpoints when it comes to political ideology.
All of us process what we see, hear, or feel with some type of “filter.” That filter is developed through our life experiences, our choices, and for the most part, what we have come to value in life. If that filter is flawed in some way we usually don’t see it, because after all, it’s our filter.
I believe there are at least three filters that we all need to maintain a balanced, as well as productive life.
1. Intellectually Honest Filter
Proverbs 12:19 NLT Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
Without this filter we will not be able to change even when confronted by the truth. There are some people who are so intellectually dishonest that even though they know that what they are believing or supporting is wrong, they do it anyway. James 4:17 tells us that, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” Some people just refuse to look at the facts around them, because the facts do not support their agenda.
2. Emotionally Neutral Filter
Deuteronomy 11:16 NLT But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the LORD and serve and worship other gods.
This is difficult for all of us. We are emotional beings, and they play an important part in our lives. Advertisers know this, as well as fund raising agencies. We see commercials on tv showing us pictures of someone or some thing that is hurting, neglected, and in pain. The ad goes on to say that if we don’t help today, they will be lost, suffer more, or die. My emotion would say, yes, I will send you money today. But when I engage my emotionally neutral filter, I begin to look at it differently. Yes, I still have compassion, but I begin to ask questions. Questions like, what are you actually going to do to relieve this suffering? How is my donation going to be used. Will I receive any updates on this project, etc. They are counting on you to not think, but act on your emotions. Emotions can keep us from hearing and processing the truth about a situation that we are passionate about.
When it comes to making right choices and sometimes very difficult choices we need to filter our emotions so that they do not cause us to make wrong decisions.
3. Biblically Accurate Filter
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
When I say “Biblically Accurate”, the first response may be, according to who? That’s a good question to ask. One person may interpret a portion of scripture differently than another. The short answer to that question is the first two words of this verse...All Scripture. When developing life choices and decisions on God’s Word it is important that we do not simply “pick and choose” what we want to use. We must look at the “all” to get a balanced and more accurate picture of truth. I’ll dig into this a little more in a later post.
For now, let’s all try to check our “filters” to make sure that we actually have them, and that they are not clogged up with the debris of life.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Gary Brothers
1 Comment
Thanks for sharing and reminding us!