The Complexity of Truth and Information

7/16/2025

Psalm 119:160 “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

I have been discussing the most difficult lessons of being spiritual beings indwelling these human bodies. So, let us look at the idea that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to discern truth from falsehood and to understand the nuance within the information that we ingest.

In today's world, the sheer volume of information – combined with the speed at which it spreads – makes managing truth an unprecedented challenge. We face not only an overload of facts, opinions, and data, but also a flood of misinformation and disinformation. This environment complicates our ability to discern what is true, what is false, and where the lines blur.

The abundance of information can overwhelm our ability to process and evaluate it effectively, leading to uncertainty and disengagement. It can be so confusing that we seek out pundits to explain it to us. The problem with this is that the platforms we use, cable news stations, podcasts, and online sources, often reinforce our current beliefs, and create echo chambers so that we only hear our own thoughts. This makes it harder to encounter diverse perspectives and reach consensus on basic facts. Although we trust these pundits, they carry with them powerful biases, and the line between objective facts and subjective opinions can sometimes become obscure.

Added to this is the technological manipulation of AI deepfakes in both pictures and text, which can create convincing falsehoods, and can lead us to distrust what we see and hear. Then there is our own mental dissonance and cognitive biases, which lead us to accept information that aligns with our beliefs and to dismiss that which contradicts them, making us unwittingly vulnerable to misinformation.

Because of the vast torrent of information that inundates us, it is difficult to maintain the ability to recognize subtle differences in meaning, context, and perspective. This is called nuance. Nuanced understanding involves recognizing that issues are rarely black and white. There are often multiple sides, layers, and shades of meaning. The meaning of information can change depending on context, tone, and intent. Paying attention to these subtleties helps avoid misinterpretation.

Nuance requires wisdom and asking questions, seeking clarification, and being open to revising our views as new evidence emerges. A nuanced perspective values different experiences and viewpoints, fostering more meaningful dialogue and connection.

The truth does not hide on its own. The people who do not like what is true are the ones who hide and change the facts to present a different narrative. As humans, our egos will steer us in that direction. Many of us have fallen prey to this influence: just changing a word or two, a description here or there, redirects a storyline to protect ourselves from embarrassment or shame. How do we discern what is true from what is false? How do we understand nuance in a world that often prefers soundbites over substance?

Scripture anticipated our challenges. In 1 John 4:1, we are warned:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Jesus cautioned us in Matthew 7:15-16: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”  

The Bible is clear: Deception is real, and discernment is essential. The danger of false teachings and half-truths is not just that they exist, but that they are often subtle and difficult to recognize. In an age that thrives on misinformation, the risk is even greater.

To stand above the misdirection, we must root ourselves in God, God’s Word, and Jesus Christ. We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible is our ultimate standard. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true,” we must test every message the world gives us, every teaching, every piece of information against the truth of God’s Word.  If it does not align with Scripture, it cannot be true.

When we are considering what the world is giving us, always consider where information comes from. Established news organizations typically have editorial standards, but even they can have biases. The Bible encourages us to not accept teachings blindly, even from trusted sources. Ask: Does this align with the character and message of Christ? Does it bear good fruit? Does it encourage love, justice, humility, and faithfulness?  Or does it inspire immorality, hatred, greed, and division?

1 Thessalonians 5:21 wisely teaches that we “Test everything; hold fast what is good.” We can look for confirmation from multiple independent sources. If a claim appears only in one place, be especially skeptical. We can confirm the facts ourselves, using reputable fact-checking services and organizations to verify claims, especially those that seem surprising or emotionally charged.

James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” We are not left to discern truth on our own. The Holy Spirit, the “Spirit of truth,” has been given to us to guide us, empower us, and illuminate our minds. In prayer, we seek God’s wisdom to recognize truth and reject falsehood.

Misinformation often aims to provoke strong emotions. If content makes us feel angry or excited, pause and investigate further before sharing or acting on it. Part of wisdom is determining whether the content is intended as news, opinion, satire, or advertising. This context shapes how you should interpret it.

The Bible also encourages us to seek wise counsel and community.

Proverbs 11:14 tells us, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” We can strive to surround ourselves with mature believers who can help us process difficult questions. Engage in a church community that values accountability and biblical truth.

Truth is not always simple; it takes time and effort and is something we seek. It is when the knowledge of our minds can embrace the knowing in our hearts that we find understanding and can discern the truth. The Bible itself contains nuance –stories, poetry, prophecy, and teaching that require careful study and reflection. Proverbs 2:2-6 urges us to seek understanding and wisdom, to look beyond the surface and discern what is good and right. Remember, what God wants us to know is written on our hearts. Do not rely on news pundits to tell us the truth. Always seek God’s council inside through prayer.

In a world saturated with information, misinformation, and disinformation let us be people of discernment. Let us root ourselves in the unchanging truth of God’s Word, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and remain vigilant against deception. Let us test everything, seek wise counsel, and never tire of pursuing truth – even when it is complex or uncomfortable.

Above all, I pray that we remember that truth is not just a set of facts, but also a person – Jesus Christ, who is “the way, the truth, and the life,” as we are taught in John 14:6. To know Him is to know truth. To follow Him is to walk in the light.

It is my prayer that God grant us wisdom, humility, and courage as we navigate the complexities of truth in our time.