Facts don't care about feelings. This simple yet profound statement reminds us of the unyielding nature of truth.
Facts remain steadfast, indifferent to our emotions or personal beliefs. It's astonishing how often facts stir emotions rather than calm them. One might assume that facts should bring clarity, reassurance, or even liberation. However, the reality is that the more a fact confronts us, the more it can disturb our emotions. This disturbance is often unsettling, especially when we consider that "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
When we allow facts to take their rightful place in our mind, they have the potential to humble us. A mind that rejects a clear fact often reveals a heart stubbornly clinging to an unverified belief. This obstinacy is the hallmark of an "evil" or "wicked" mind, as reflected in the scripture: "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry" (1 Samuel 15:23).
To examine our own tendencies toward personal fault or error, we must consider how we handle facts. There is a stark difference between religious fiction and devotional fact. Our ability—or inability—to distinguish between these can reveal much about our state of being. The downfall of a religious confidence lies in its dependence on emotion to give it strength, as Paul writes, "They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). We must choose between a knowledgeable devotional experience and an emotional religious fever.
Often, discussions about faith and belief lead to heated arguments, harsh words, and hurt feelings. This usually happens because people speak from a place of public opinion rather than with personal wisdom from rigorous research. Emotions, rather than facts, often drive our desire to learn, leading to a shallow understanding shaped more by personality than by reality. As a result, we form a strong emotional attachment to our beliefs, which can be shattered when confronted with facts.
Facts exist independently of belief or disbelief. They are not designed to comfort; they simply are. Unlike us, facts do not concern themselves with the knowledge available in the world; they exist beyond and above the limitations of human understanding, including the theological assumptions of the religious world. The author of the book of John cautions us about this, noting that the teachings of the religious world are distinct from the character within the scriptures: "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them" (1 John 4:5).
Understanding why emotional disturbance occurs when we encounter facts requires a recognition of this distinction. Facts, unbound by the theological frameworks of the religious world, can feel alien and challenging to our deeply held beliefs. This challenge can reveal the lack of true knowledge supporting our beliefs, underscoring the truth of Proverbs: "Fools die for lack of wisdom" (Proverbs 10:21), and "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). True belief is both knowledgeable and intelligent; without a living, refreshing knowledge of what we actually believe, we risk falling into the trap of mental and spiritual lethargy and deception.
The conventional approach often involves placing faith in religious authorities without independently verifying the knowledge they present. The Bible warns against this blind trust, highlighting the pitfalls of relying on the religious world's wisdom above acquired insight: "He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Today, the message—"I know him, and keep his saying" (John 8:55)—still challenges us to "be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
We should embrace the fact that facts do not care about our identity, thoughts, or level of understanding. Their sole purpose is to humble us, pushing us to make sense of our limitations and encouraging us to delve deeper into the Bible for understanding. For too long, we have viewed the Bible through a distorted lens, trusting in theories that do not foster our mental and devotional growth. It's time to heed the call: "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read" (Isaiah 34:16).
By engaging with facts and seeking knowledge directly from the Bible, we can cultivate a faith that is not only emotionally resonant but also intellectually robust, rooted in reality rather than mere tradition.