By Dan Gabbert

From unhealthy dietary to compromising lifestyle, we are being flooded with a mass of “information” (some of it quite contradictory and confusing) as to which practices are truly best for our physical, mental, and spiritual health.  In this type of social environment, it becomes quite easy to slip into the practice of contemporary relativism.  What is this?  It’s the mindset that truth is whatever I choose to think is congenial to my present lifestyle and feels good to me at this point in my life.  Let me ask you, could this be a dangerous mindset?

Have you ever sincerely believed something to be true that really wasn’t?  Have you ever believed someone’s directions to a certain destination were true only to find out that those directions took you somewhere else?

A person can be ever so sincere about the validity of the $50 bill they carry until they pass it to a clerk at a checkout counter who let’s them know it’s counterfeit.  All of a sudden what that person believed to be truth really wasn’t true!

Getting trapped in some type of unhealthy lifestyle activity happens when we sincerely believe that what we are doing is best for us, when it really isn’t. Why?  In this author’s opinion one of the reasons is an unstable foundation for our thoughts. Our thinking needs solid information in order to function. We make lifestyle choices based upon information we believe to be true.  However, without an accurate and trustworthy source of information (a foundation of true truth) upon which to think and make healthy decisions, there is really no way of distinguishing between normal and abnormal, healthy and unhealthy, in the care of the body and mind!  As a result, contemporary relativism often rules the day – even though what someone believes to be true for them and their health may not be really true  – true truth!

So where can we go to find an accurate and trustworthy source of information – the foundation-true truth – with which to examine our thinking and choices about our life and health? Some say science and that is at times an informative source. But I’m thrilled to be able to tell you that I’ve discovered what I believe to be the most accurate standard of moral thinking and behavior available to mankind, the word of a loving Creator found in the Bible!  Yep, that’s right – the Bible! Now before you throw this article away, consider what God, the One who created us, claims to be able to do for you and me through His word:

“He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” -Psalms 107:20

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (right living), that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” -2 Timothy 3:16-17,

Oh, one other thing that increases the hope-filled beauty of the informational foundation of truth God offers us in the Bible.  It comes with an added benefit – an accurate model for healthy thinking and behavior in the life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who longs to be everyone’s Cornerstone!¹ Before His death on the cross for you and me, in a weakened human body like ours, through the same strength and grace available to us², He lived a life of  victory in His thinking and life practice as an untarnished example for us to follow.³

When it comes to deciding on standards of right and wrong thinking and behavior for your life, I invite you to consider God’s word as your foundational source of true truth, your moral authority, and Jesus Christ His Son as your model for healing, peace-filled living.  You will be eternally thankful you did!

Dan Gabbert, MA, CWC, and his wife Patsy practice Biblical Response Therapy © as mental/spiritual health coaches for the Black Hills Health and Education Center.

All emphasis in the quotes and Bible texts of this article are the author’s.

1  Acts 4:10-12.

2  2 Corinthians 9:8.

3  Luke 9:23; 1 John 2:6.