I have fond memories of visiting the public library with my mom when I was growing up. In our town of Traverse City, Michigan, there was what my child’s mind considered to be a huge library, and perhaps it was. With multiple levels of books and media, grassy outdoors areas, puppets, and a train model big enough for us kids to play on, it was all I needed to be happy. We visited every couple weeks or so and always left loaded with books, movies, and a new bookmark from the librarian’s desk. It was such an integral part of my childhood that I can’t even imagine days not spent poring over the reference texts my mother carefully selected for our research projects, or using the catalog to locate specific elements of our homeschool curriculum.
Perhaps times have changed, or things are different in the southwest, or I was just an anomaly, but libraries don’t seem to be part of the youth culture anymore. Instead, the Internet has replaced physical print and brick-and-mortar library excursions. And why shouldn’t it? The whole world of information can now be contained in the palm of a hand. Gone are the days of sitting at community tables sifting through a pile of dictionaries, atlases, and reference texts. Why face human interaction when the answers we seek can be verbalized by a robot from the comfort of our homes?
Having worked briefly in a public library, I know that the community is still alive and well. They provide countless resources for the public, and many libraries are working to modernize so they don’t become obsolete. While this is all well and good, it’s not the people who use libraries that concern me; it’s the ones who don’t. Our society has shifted from information being held by a few to information overload in the hands of the masses. With such quantities of information floating around, it’s no wonder we’ve lost sight of how to make use of it.
In Nehemiah 6, a conspiracy has arisen against Nehemiah as he labors to finish rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. Some leaders of surrounding nations are unhappy with his progress, so they send a message inviting him to join them in the countryside. Nehemiah refuses, knowing they intend to harm him. The foreign leaders then try a different approach, accusing the Jews of trying to rebel. Their fear mongering also fails thanks to Nehemiah’s clear head. Finally, Nehemiah visits a prophet named Shemaiah, who warns him to flee to safety in the Lord’s temple because the foreign leaders intend to kill him. Although this warning may seem well-meant, Nehemiah sees through it and asks of his host, “‘Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in’” (Neh. 6:11). He discerns that this man was sent by the enemy to ensnare him, and he once again evades the trickery.
What can we learn from the man Nehemiah? Aside from his other leadership qualities, he was devoted to the Lord and to knowing His truth. He practiced discernment when faced with choices that could affect the whole nation, and he knew the Lord so well he could tell when something wasn’t from Him. Not only this, but he refused to defile the Lord’s house to save his own life. Simply put, he recognized that what is holy is not to be trifled with.
Nehemiah may not have had a smartphone, but he was wiser with his information than most people in our modern world. He wasn’t fooled for a second by the schemes of Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. He easily could have gone along with their plot, believing they had his best interests in mind, but instead he caught them in their lies and spoke truth to them. Notice: he didn’t combat falsehood with flattery or affirmation or more lies. He fought it by calling out the lie for what it was! And the only way he could have done this was by knowing the truth.
So how do we combat the lies being tossed about in our world today? To start with, we must know the truth. Our worldview is the lens through which we see everything, and if we start with a false premise, we’re bound to end up confused at some point. As Christians, our worldview should always be centered around the Bible. It is the truth by which we live our lives. It reveals the One we worship and adore, and shows us how to grow closer in relationship with Him. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are able to discern the truth as we study the scriptures.
Unfortunately, illiteracy is a growing epidemic among Christians. It’s easier than ever to find churches that preach false gospels, small groups focused more on personal agenda than spiritual growth, and pews filled with believers of watered-down theology. If we’re scared that our agenda might be derailed by God’s Word, it’s time to evaluate our standing before Him.
Because here’s the harsh truth: True literacy is more than being able to read. It involves not just consuming information, but also discerning what is good and what is not. This applies to more than just our news media! Everywhere we look, we’re bombarded by messages about what is right and wrong, how we should feel or think, what is truth and what is lie. How do we determine the trash amid the heap? Through prayerful pursuit of God’s will. We’re all called to a higher purpose, but we often get bogged down by the world’s excess. If we know our calling and identity in Christ, we can sift through the useless things to find the essentials.
We could take a leaf out of Nehemiah’s book and be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that the world’s lies become static on the airwaves. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a news outlet that plays only the truth? Until that day comes, we must daily enter into battle against the forces of darkness that threaten to overwhelm us with their lies. It’s not an easy task, but it is the one we simply must do. Otherwise, we risk being pulled under by the crashing waves of the enemy who seeks only to steal, kill, and destroy.
So gird up for battle. Know the truth and fight for it. And above all, fix your eyes on the One who is Truth and you will not be led astray.