Seeking Truth with Discernment: A Call to Thoughtful Exploration in Faith

In our pursuit of truth, we often face a challenge: how do we seek wisdom from a broad range of sources while remaining firmly anchored in the unshakable truth of God’s Word? As a writer, I frequently engage with pastors, scientists, theologians, physicians, and scholars from various backgrounds. Not all of them align with my beliefs in every respect, yet their insights have sharpened my discernment, deepened my faith, and expanded my understanding of spiritual and natural realities.

However, I recognize that some readers may question why I quote or reference individuals who do not fit within their specific doctrinal framework. In response, I want to offer this essay as an exploration of what it truly means to “seek, knock, and ask” (Matthew 7:7)—not from a place of fear or suspicion but from a heart that genuinely desires wisdom, understanding, and, above all, truth.

Many well-meaning Christians today have developed a habit of immediately rejecting any idea, teaching, or perspective that comes from outside their familiar theological circles. If a pastor, scientist, or historian is not part of their denomination—or if they hold certain secondary beliefs that differ—then everything they say is disregarded. This approach is not only limiting, but it also risks missing out on profound insights that could strengthen and refine our understanding of biblical truth.

It is important to recognize that no single teacher or tradition has a monopoly on truth. Even the greatest Christian thinkers throughout history—Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis, Billy Graham—held some views that were either questionable or outright wrong. As Frank Viola highlights in ReGrace: What the Shocking Beliefs of the Great Christians Can Teach Us Today, every Christian leader has had blind spots. This doesn’t mean we should discard their wisdom entirely; rather, we should engage with their teachings thoughtfully, testing all things against the Word of God while maintaining humility and grace in our approach.

Scripture calls us to be people of discernment. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul instructs us to “rightly divide the word of truth.” This means we must learn to distinguish between what aligns with God’s revelation and what does not. But notice—Paul does not say to ignore, attack, or dismiss everything outright. Rather, he calls us to rightly divide, which requires careful examination, study, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

A classic example of this principle can be seen in the Bereans, who were commended in Acts 17:11 for their approach to new teachings. Rather than rejecting Paul’s message outright because it was unfamiliar, they “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” They were neither blindly accepting nor cynically dismissing—they were seekers of truth.

Christianity does not claim that all other belief systems are wholly false; rather, it asserts that ultimate truth is found in Christ and that anything contradicting Scripture is false. However, many religions and philosophies contain elements of truth—principles that align with biblical wisdom.

For example, Confucius is credited with stating, “Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.” This is often called the “negative Golden Rule.” Jesus, in contrast, gives the positive command in Matthew 7:12: “Do unto others what you would have them do to you.” While Jesus’ teaching is deeper and more proactive, Confucius’ statement does not contradict Scripture—it merely lacks its fullness. Dismissing every non-biblical source of wisdom out of fear or pride would be an error, just as accepting everything indiscriminately would be.

Similarly, when I study topics such as neuroscience, divine healing, or the laws of faith, I may reference scientists, medical experts, or historians—some of whom may not share my theological beliefs. This does not mean I embrace all their views, but it does mean I am willing to learn from their expertise, just as Daniel learned from the Babylonian scholars without compromising his devotion to God (Daniel 1:17-20).

Many Christians today struggle with cynicism toward spiritual experiences they do not personally understand. As Derek Mathe points out in Spirit Muscle, skepticism often arises not from Scripture itself but from unbelief, offense, or discomfort. He writes:

“One thing that I do not understand is that if there is a biblical precedence for a spiritual experience/encounter that people are also experiencing today, why so many Christians still deny or denounce that it is true or genuine. Usually, this is because we have come from a background that has taught against it or we have had a negative experience with, or heard negative comments about, people who move in these things. But, most of the time, this cynicism stems from unbelief, offense, uncomfortability, or a simple lack of understanding.”

If we allow fear or past negative experiences to determine what we accept as true, we may end up resisting the very things God wants to reveal to us. This is not a call to blind acceptance of everything spiritual, but rather an encouragement to test all things through the lens of Scripture, rather than through the lens of personal bias or denominational tradition.

One of the greatest challenges facing the modern Church is division—not over essential doctrines, but over secondary issues that should not break our unity. Social media has amplified this problem, making it easier than ever to publicly denounce and dismiss fellow believers over theological disagreements. Frank Viola, in ReGrace, urges Christians to remember that even our theological heroes had flaws:

“Knowing that the heroes of our faith sometimes got it wrong will empower us to treat our fellow Christians with grace rather than disdain whenever we disagree over theology.”

The truth is, we all have blind spots. I do. You do. Every preacher, author, and theologian does. Instead of using these imperfections as weapons against one another, we should recognize them as reminders of our need for humility, grace, and a continual pursuit of truth.

Ephesians 4:3 calls us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” This does not mean compromising on core biblical truth, but it does mean approaching one another with love, patience, and a willingness to listen.

In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus extends a powerful invitation:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Seeking truth is an active process. It requires us to ask questions, seek wisdom from a variety of sources, and knock persistently on the door of understanding. This pursuit does not weaken our faith—it strengthens it. If God is truly the source of all wisdom (Proverbs 2:6), then we have nothing to fear in seeking knowledge, as long as we remain anchored in His Word.

I make no apologies for reading widely, studying deeply, and quoting from diverse thinkers. This practice has not diluted my faith—it has sharpened it. My hope is that my readers will embrace the same journey: to seek with open hearts, to discern with wisdom, and to hold fast to the unshakable truth found in Christ alone.

Let us pursue truth together, not as those who hastily dismiss, but as those who “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) with wisdom and discernment. Let us be seekers, knocking at the door of understanding, trusting that God will open it in His perfect way and time. Let us embrace humility, knowing that none of us—no matter how learned—have every answer, and that even the greatest among us have erred. And above all, let us love one another, extending grace in our disagreements and unity in our shared faith in Christ.

For in the end, truth is not merely an idea to be defended, but a Person to be known—Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). And in Him, we will find all that we truly seek.

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Mathe, Derek. Spirit Muscle: The Power of Faith, the Law of Dominion, and the Great Commission. Spirit Muscle Publishing, 2021.

Viola, Frank. ReGrace: What the Shocking Beliefs of the Great Christians Can Teach Us Today. Baker Books, 2019.