Day 16

Friday, March 21

The Way Through Skepticism

Skepticism seems to have a negative connotation, but the origin of the word implies that a skeptic is simply one who investigates or inquires. Skepticism is probably smart when a computer voice asks for your bank account information to send you electronic funds from a sweepstake you entered (“what sweepstakes??”)...

Skepticism has protective value. Itis body armor to safeguard against foolishness, deception, hurt, emotional strife, confusion, and any other misfortune of life brought on by extending trust to those who seek to prey upon us. It sounds like the way to live... but have you ever, or could you ever, imagine trying to hug someone while in full body armor? It is not really the desired effect for either party.

Being a skeptic might protect us from everything, but it will do just that—protect us from everything. When we can’t be certain, we lose optimism and hope, and we cage ourselves off from all the joys of connecting with others and experiencing life.

1John 5:13 is a promise, unlike anything we could ever be sold. John wrote, ”I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”(NIV)

If we can believe that in Christ we will live forever, then we can get through our tendencies to make skepticism our prison of distrust rather than our power of discernment.

We have a certainty in Christ—and confidence in Him—that when we’re leery of others, that confidence is the way through a life of skepticism.

-Spencer Jackson

Bible Reading for the Day:

1 John 5:1-15; 2 Corinthians 1:20

Think and Act:

1. Who do you know that is almost always skeptical? (a friend, co-worker, you...) How do you feel when you consistently have to deal with someone else’s skepticism?

2. 2 Corinthians 1:20 states: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" (or so be it) is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (NIV) With this scripture in mind, how should we act when we come up against skepticism (or are skeptical ourselves)?