The Root Of Our Problems
Today we want to discover how to unmask the source of your noise. Our text is found in II Peter 1:2–3.
2 Pe 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Let’s break down the parts of this verse to be sure we understand what Peter is saying:
- Grace and Peace are multiplied to us. Why do we struggle so much to find it?
- Knowledge of God – this is the only way to get the peace God gives. This is a relational knowledge of God, not a factual knowledge.
- All things – God left nothing out
- Life and godliness – the chance to have eternal life and the ability to live godly all come from the same Source with the same power. If we trust God totally for salvation, why can’t we trust Him totally for the power to live a godly life?
Someone going through this material recently told me that it is not logical to drop our focus on Scripture to fix our problems and pick up a focus on Scripture to know God. Yet this is exactly what II Peter 1:2-3 is telling us. Godliness comes from knowing Him!
The Nature of Truth
There are things that all people understand to be true through creation and through their own conscience (Romans 1:18–21, 25, 28, 32).
KJV Ro 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Note that the invisible things are clearly seen: His eternal power and Godhead
Ro 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
The natural bent of the unsaved heart is idolatry (anything that comes before God often revealed by where we spend out time). This tendency is not completely removed for the believer, we still have a deceitful heart (Jer. 17:9).
Definition: Truth = reality.
The Danger of Unbelief
A belief is what you accept to be true.
This can be things that are real or things that are fantasy. What we believe or don’t believe does not change the truth. Reality does not change. This is the way it is. There is never a situation where the facts on this side are not true.
Our situations do not change who God is. He is always good and always in control.
Unbelief is rejecting what God says is true.
You must labor to find out what is true according to God, resolutely reject any deviation from it, and cling to the things that are true about God no matter what is happening to you.
So how much do you want the peace? Are you ready to rearrange significant portions of your life to be able to have the time to “labor” to find the truth?
The Glory of God
Unbelief robs God of His glory (Romans 1:21).
His unique excellence is tarnished in our view. He becomes in our mind no better than the creatures He made—weak, untrustworthy, unloving, unkind, and unwise.
The temptation of the sinful heart is to “[exchange] the truth of God [for] a lie” (Romans 1:25).
Stabilizing Truths for Noisy Souls: The Knowledge of God
We encourage you to print a copy of “The Stabilizing Truths for Noisy Souls.” You can download it at this link. http:// www.QuietingANoisySoul.com/downloads/memory-cards.pdf.
Labor, labor, labor to know these truths—look up the above verses and find other verses that teach these truths.
- Memorize these truths and verses that support them (Psalm 119:9–11).
- Meditate upon these truths (I Timothy 4:15– 16).
- Fellowship with others about these truths (I John 1:3).
- Test every stray thought of your heart by these truths (II Corinthians 10:3–5).
- Don’t despise preaching about these truths (II Timothy 4:2–4). THIS IS THE “LABOR.”
To reject truth is to believe a lie. THIS IS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE!
So here we conclude for today: Unbelief is the primary cause of the noise in your soul. You do not yet see that God Himself is more than enough for you.
Thanks to Dr. Jim Berg for allowing us to use his material. Berg, Jim. (2005). Quieting a Noisy Soul. Greenville, SC: BJU Press