Where Should Truth Come From?

What is truth? Really. Where do you get yours? From social media? Friends? A therapist? Your own experiences? A podcast? A psychic? A medium? An astrologer? An intuitive? A tarot card reader? A spiritual advisor? An energy healer? An AI?

We all get information from somewhere. But if something is true at the highest possible level—completely true, perfectly true—shouldn’t that be the source we build our lives upon?

This morning I read one of the more unusual encounters in the book of Acts. Paul was traveling through Philippi when “a servant girl met us. She had a special spirit in her, and she earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes” (Acts 16:16, NCV).

The NCV says “special spirit,” but the original Greek is much more revealing. It literally says she had a “spirit of Python,” a term used in the ancient world for a demonic spirit associated with divination and predicting the future. She wasn’t simply pretending. She was under the influence of an evil spirit, and her owners made a fortune exploiting her.

What’s fascinating is that the demon spoke the truth. The girl followed Paul and his companions saying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you how to be saved” (Acts 16:17, NCV).

That statement was absolutely correct. Yet Paul didn’t welcome the endorsement. He commanded the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, and it immediately obeyed. Why? Because God doesn’t need demons to proclaim His truth. Even when evil speaks something that is factually correct, its source is corrupt. Satan has always mixed truth with lies. It began in the Garden of Eden and continues today.

That should make us stop and think. Just because someone says something true doesn’t mean they are a trustworthy source of truth. A psychic may tell you something surprisingly accurate. A medium may appear convincing. An astrologer may make observations that seem to fit your life. A therapist may offer wise advice. A friend may give excellent counsel. An AI may even explain biblical principles correctly. But none of those are the ultimate authority. They may contain pieces of truth, but only one source is truth itself.

Later, when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, Pilate famously asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Ironically, Truth Himself was standing directly in front of him. Earlier Jesus had already answered the question: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NCV). Truth isn’t merely a collection of facts. Truth is found in the very character of God.

The Bible consistently tells us where wisdom and counsel should come from. “Trust the Lord with all your heart… don’t depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). And Jesus promised, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32, NCV).

Does that mean we should never seek counseling? Of course not. God often uses wise counselors, pastors, physicians, therapists, and mature believers. “Plans fail without good advice, but they succeed with the advice of many others” (Proverbs 15:22, NCV).

The question is this: What is the foundation? Does the counsel ultimately point you toward God’s truth, or away from it? Does it align with Scripture or contradict it?

Today, there are countless places promising spiritual insight, psychic networks, tarot readings, astrology apps, mediums, spirit guides, energy readers, and intuitive advisors. They often package themselves as entertainment, self-discovery, or wellness.

Some may even tell you things that sound true. But Scripture consistently warns God’s people not to seek spiritual guidance from those sources because they lead us away from depending on Him (see Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

If you want lasting peace, enduring wisdom, and truth you can build your life on, go to the One who invented truth. Open your Bible. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Test every voice - including mine - against God’s Word.

Because in a world filled with opinions, experiences, half-truths, and convincing counterfeits, there is still only one source of perfectly trustworthy truth. And His name is Jesus.

LORD, I want only your truth. If I read a book, receive counsel, no matter the source, please protect me and help me make sure it aligns with your truth. I want to stay connected to your Bible, your words, and the voice of the Holy Spirit daily. It’s my source of life, wisdom, insight and discernment. Help stay with you - only you. IJNIP amen ♥️

(One of our recent hikes)