“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32 KJV)
Over a year and a half ago I signed up to participate in a study conducted by a major university. I believe the purpose of this study is to monitor the emotional, physical, and psychological changes that senior citizens go through. Every six months they call and pose a variety of well constructed questions. I think they are not aware that I’m astute enough to recognize they are checking the integrity or consistency of my answers by phrasing the same question in a different way. After a year and a half of listening to my drawn out explanations, they know I pastor a church. So sometimes it seems with that knowledge they are testing my responses to see if I answer from a position of faith. When I hear some questions, I immediately ask myself from a believer’s perspective, “Is that a trick question?”
Here is an example. Question: “Would you say you worry a lot, very little, or not at all?” If I answered based on my faith, I wouldn’t think long before answering, “Not at all!” And then I would quote a few Scriptures, such as: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).” “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:34).” I would handle the trick questions.
Dealing with trick questions is not reserved for those of us who earn $20 gift certificates for participating in some type of research or study. You will face them all the time, regardless of your age. Just be prepared to answer them with integrity and based on the truth. The integrity part of your answer will point to the fact that you are not perfect and you don’t always measure up to the truth. But you will also point out that each day you are progressively getting better matching your behavior with the guidelines expressed in the inspired word of God. The truth part should be our reply or at least the basis for our response and while this will reassure you and it will simultaneously resonate in the mind of the person performing the study. Let me give you three more trick questions, similar to the ones that are posed to me in the seniors study and provide you, regardless of your age, with some possible answers to help you respond emphasizing the truth. Trick question: “Are you worried about your needs being met during the pandemic?” Truth answer: “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).” Trick question: “How can you handle these present times?” Truth answer: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little (Philippians 4:12).” Trick question: “Doesn’t the rise in deaths due to the virus scare you out of your mind? Truth response: “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die (John 11:26a).”
Hopefully I have helped you prepare for the trick questions that will be directed at you, not only today, but throughout your lifetime. Be prepared to answer them with truth answers. You know where to find the truth, don’t you? Okay! Be blessed!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King