Truth Retained

Marine Corps Base Quantico -- “And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce

a huge harvest.” (Luke 8:15, NLT).

Retention of truth is an ongoing process. I may hear the truth and receive it, but somehow it moves on without lodging in my heart.

Repetitive truth reminds me of what is important. If I hear the truth — explained different ways — it tends to stick. It is retained

with an engaged heart.

Jesus uses a simple, but profound process of how truth is retained. It is a process that requires regular oversight. Farming depends on

weather patterns, but every other aspect needs active attention. Just as customer retention requires a relentless pursuit of their

feedback, so the retention of truth requires a passionate pursuit of instruction from the Holy Spirit. The rich soil of surrender to

God allows the roots of truth to be rooted and grounded in understanding and application. A humble heart takes the topsoil of truth and

allows it to germinate in God’s will.

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently

with a pure heart.”

(1 Peter 1:22, NKJV).

Truth tends to stick to our soul when we understand the why behind what we need to do. For example: we know we need to be grateful, but

do we really know why we need to be grateful? Gratitude protects us from self-pity and pride. It brings joy to our being and

contentment to our soul. Gratefulness keeps us focused on God’s goodness. A stronghold of truth stabilizes the soul. Understanding the

why behind truth helps us retain truth in our heart.

Most of all, the more we experience a harvest from the fruit of truth the more we retain truth. A harvest of truth is knowing God and

understanding His will. It is knowing how we are uniquely made by our heavenly father and being comfortable with our uniqueness.

Truth’s fruit is knowing how to love those around us in a way they feel loved and cherished. Truth retained invites the truth—Jesus

living His life through us.

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23, KJV).