Page 9 - November 2025 - Truth & Tidings

sources. Examples include online maga- concentrate on their personal searching
zine archives, such as Precious Seed and and study of the Scriptures because of a
Truth & Tidings, which contain decades of lack of focus. Bible study requires undi-
reliable material from trusted and gifted vided attention. A lackadaisical attitude
expositors of the Word. Digital book sites and poor concentration are the opposite
like STEM Publishing and Studylight can of what Paul instructed Timothy to do:
provide access to some fine expositions of “Study to shew thyself approved unto
the Word of God from earlier generations. God, a workman that needeth not to be
A word of caution: While many sites and ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
resources are helpful, none are infallible. truth” (2Ti 2:15).
The best filter we can apply is from the
apostle John, who instructs us to “try the Searching Mindfully –
spirits whether they are of God” (1Jn 4:1). Revealing and Reflecting
Christ has declared that the reason for What does your search history reveal
searching the Scriptures is because they about you? When someone searches for
“testify of me” (Joh 5:39). False teaching something, it is done with intention and
and wrong doctrine can have a harmful ef- a specific thought in mind. God said,
fect on believers, particularly those young “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and
in the faith, and exposure to material that he shall give thee the desires of thine
questions the deity, humanity and perfec- heart” (Psa 37:4). Everyone must search
tion of Christ should not be given even a and seek answers to genuine problems in
moment’s screen time. It is essential to be everyday life, whether it's how to change
careful and discerning when “searching.” a lightbulb or how to solve an algebra
equation for homework. However, it is
Searching Undividedly – undeniable that our search history and
Attention and Absorption digital footprint offer clues about who

A new threat exists for believers in the we are spiritually. The internet is filled
digital realm that affects the ability to with conspiracy theories and fake news,
digest content. Digital content is becom- which can unsettle, disturb and influence
ing shorter, snappier, and easier to view, some believers. Despite this, the Scriptures
absorb and share. Whether it's a side- provide wise advice when encountering
splitting Tiktok or tear-jerking Instagram such content, as in Acts 17:11 where Luke
reel, our minds have grown accustomed records of the Bereans that “they received
to short, high-quality videos designed the word … and searched the scriptures
to attract and hold attention. The digital daily, whether those things were so.” The
marketing mantra that “content is king” Bereans’ search history reflected their
is evermore true. How many times have spiritual priority – seeking the truth. The
we all wasted hours doom-scrolling, con- question remains: What does our personal
search history reveal about us?
suming content that satisfies our emotions
but squanders time that could be used for Searching Personally –
“searching the Scriptures”? Furthermore, Powerful and Painful
this trend threatens to erode our ability to
read and digest a chapter of Scripture. The In an era of data protection and privacy,
result? A believer could find it difficult to believers must never lose sight of One
Continued on p. 338
329
TruthandTidings.com I November 2025 329