... the text for June 22, 2020

[Turn] away from ... the falsely called "knowledge". - 1 Tim. 6:20

Have you met a person who repeatedly says something and acts like it's true, but it's not? Have you heard three or four people say the same thing, so you may think that it was a fact, only to find out later that it was wrong? We all have.

The comments relate how the Israelites sent 12 spies into Canaan, and upon their return, 10 of the 12 made a negative report, while 2 stated a good report. Over 3 million Israelites believed the 10, but not the 2.

They failed to recognize Jehovah as the true Power. They witnessed His shaming the gods of Egypt. They witnessed the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh and his armies who were pursuing them. Egypt wasn't a small county, but a mighty nation.

Canaan had a multitude of small scity states. But, the people were afraid, they did not trust that Jehovah would help them to vanquish these nations so that they could inhabit Canaan. So, they lost out, because Jehovah made them wander 40 years in the wilderness until they all died. The few faithful remained alive and were able to enter Canaan. Such a sad lesson.

What of today? We are overwhelmed with information from all sources. It can be hard to pick out the facts from the fiction, and some figure that if they keep repeating something, it will be true even if it's not.

I was looking at Yahoo headlines the other day, and noticed headlines exclaiming: "Expert doctors claim the coronavirus is not as dangerous as you thing". "One nurse has hit upon an easy cure for coronavirus". "These are vegetables to avoid in reducing risk of coronavirus". All of these have some member of an experienced field explaining their viewpoint.

But, the "knowledge" Paul was discussing here is spiritual knowledge. We have many who were formerly Jehovah's Witnesses who publish information defaming Witnesses. One famous actress did an expose of Scientology, and then claimed she would expose Jehovah's Witnesses as a sham religion also. We must remain focused on what we know is true from the Bible's viewpoint and stick to it, ignoring information to the contrary.

As this world worsens, more and more will be saying different things. The best source right now amid this pandemic is jw.org, as it provides information that is true and Bible-based.

Yes, attaining good knowledge is useful. Your everlasting life depends on it. (John 17:3)