Listening for Truth in a World Full of Competing Voices
In our fast-paced world, it often feels like we’re surrounded by countless voices, each telling their own version of what’s true. Whether it’s the latest headline, a heated political debate, or a passionate sermon, everyone seems to have a story to share. Especially in times of chaos and confusion, it can be overwhelming to make sense of it all. How do we know what to believe? How can we be sure we’re not being led astray?
What Is a Narrative? How Stories Shape Our Understanding
A narrative is simply a story—a way of making sense of what’s happening around us. Narratives are powerful. They help us understand ourselves, our communities, and the world. But not all stories are created equal. Some are told to inform, others to persuade, and some—unfortunately—to manipulate. The challenge is that these stories can shape our beliefs, influence our actions, and even affect our sense of right and wrong.
Competing Narratives: Politics, Media, and the Church
Take a look at politics. Politicians often tell stories about what’s wrong and how they plan to fix it. But depending on who you listen to, you might hear completely different explanations for the same problem. The media, too, can present events in very different ways, depending on which channel or website you follow. Even within the church, there can be competing messages about faith, morality, and what it means to live well.
When so many voices are speaking, it’s easy to get confused or feel lost. Sometimes, we might even tune out altogether, choosing not to listen at all. But that’s not helpful either, especially when we want to grow in wisdom and truth.
The Importance of Discernment: Tone, Validity, and Undertone
This is where discernment comes in—a fancy word for careful listening and thoughtful judgment. It’s not just about what is being said, but how it’s being said. Is the tone kind or harsh? Does it build up or tear down? We also need to ask, “Is this true? Is there evidence, or is it just opinion?” And perhaps most importantly, what’s the undertone—the real message beneath the surface? Sometimes, words can seem helpful or loving on the outside but carry a hidden agenda underneath.
Developing this kind of discernment takes practice. It means pressing pause before we accept something as true and asking God for wisdom to see things clearly.
Biblical Wisdom: The Truth Will Set You Free
Jesus spoke directly to this challenge. In John 8:32, He said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” This promise assures us that real freedom isn’t found in believing every story we hear, but in discovering and holding onto what’s genuinely true. Truth isn’t just an idea—it’s a person, and that person is Jesus. When we ground ourselves in God’s truth, we find freedom from fear, confusion, and deception.
Mark 4:24-25 offers another warning and encouragement: “Consider carefully what you hear,” Jesus says. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” In other words, the more we pay attention and seek understanding, the more wisdom God gives us. But if we’re careless with what we listen to, we risk losing our grip on the truth we already have.
Building a Solid Foundation: Receptive Hearts and Spiritual Anchors
It’s not enough just to avoid lies or ignore negativity. We need to be receptive—to have open hearts that are ready to receive God’s word and let it grow inside us. When we anchor ourselves in Scripture and spend time in prayer, we’re less likely to be tossed around by every new story or opinion that comes our way. Instead, we start to recognize God’s voice—a voice of love, wisdom, and peace—that helps us sift through the noise.
The Parable of the Growing Seed: Growth Through Understanding
Jesus once told the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29), describing how a farmer scatters seed on the ground, and—without fully understanding how—the seed sprouts and grows. The farmer’s job is to plant and wait; the growth happens because of God. In the same way, when we receive God’s word with open hearts, even if we don’t understand everything right away, God brings growth. Little by little, our faith deepens, our discernment sharpens, and we become people who can recognize and hold onto what is true.
Conclusion: An Encouragement to Listen Carefully and Seek Truth
In a world filled with competing voices and endless stories, it’s more important than ever to be careful what we hear. Let’s be people who listen carefully, seek understanding, and ground ourselves in God’s truth. As we do, we’ll find clarity in the chaos, peace in confusion, and freedom in truth. May our hearts remain open, our minds discerning, and our spirits anchored in the One who leads us into all truth.
Minister A Francine Green
January 2026
afrancinegreen.com 