06/01/2026
TRADITIONS, TRENDS, AND TRUTH
As Christians, how do we make the decisions that shape our lives? How do we decide which direction is best? There are many voices in the world speaking every day, encouraging us to follow the path to the left or the path to the right, what to buy, what to eat, who to marry, which job to take. As a church, there are also many choices. So how do we make godly choices? The prophet Samuel faced a similar dilemma, and perhaps our answer can be found in his.
Israel wanted a king. They were not satisfied to be led by God. They wanted a king so that they could be like all the other nations. Afterall, it was tradition for each nation to have a king, so God gave them Saul. However, Saul was disobedient and God rejected him as king. In I Samuel 16:1-13 we read that Samuel was mourning over the loss of Saul as King, but he was instructed to stop mourning and go anoint a new king from the sons of Jesse. Jesse brought his sons before Samuel one by one. As Samuel looked at Jesseâs firstborn, Eliab, he was convinced that he was surely the next king, but God does not see as we see. âSo it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, âSurely the Lordâs anointed is before Him!â But the Lord said to Samuel, âDo not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.â Jesse brought his remaining sons before Samuel and the answer was the same for each, âNeither has the Lord chosen this one.â Finally, Samuel asked if there were any other sons. David, who was watching his fatherâs sheep in the field, was brought before Samuel. âNow he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, âArise, anoint him; for this is the one!â Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.â
When we are faced with an important decision, God doesnât usually tell us everything. This might make us nervous, but it is part of the process of learning to trust God and follow Him. Itâs easy to follow the traditions of men, and perhaps it is exciting to follow the latest trends, but if we are not following God, we are following the devilâs path. Itâs easy to do what everyone else is doing, but often God calls us to go in a different direction. Samuel was tempted to make his decision based on outward appearance, but God looks on the inside. God looks at the heart.
What is a tradition? A tradition is a formalized system of beliefs, practices, customs, or values that a group of people pass down from one generation to another, while a trend is a current preference or a fad. Pastor Nathan defined it as âthe latest and greatest!â Finally, what is truth? John 16:13 leads us not to a list of customs or the latest fad, but to the Holy Spirit who lives inside each believer. âHowever, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.â If you are to follow truth, you must learn to hear the voice of God. Godâs voice is the voice of the Holy Spirit who is in complete unity with the Father and Jesus. Godâs truth is not an opinion; it is the final word. Isaiah 55:6-9 once again counsels us in the ways of God. âFor My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,â says the Lord. âFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.â
If we are going to walk in truth, we must be grounded in the Word of God, and we must constantly stay in the Word. We cannot be afraid of correction because traveling down a wrong path can mean we are missing out on what God has for us. Being on the wrong path can even jeopardize our own life. Romans 8:14 admonishes us to seek Godâs direction. âFor as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.â
Pastor Nathan went on to share some of his personal testimony about his move to Virginia reiterating that God often leads without revealing the entire picture. It is called walking by faith. Graduating from Rhema Bible Training Center in 2001, Pastors Nathan and Jill were eager to begin serving God; however, no doors were opened to them. Pastor Nathan shared that he contemplated becoming a welder or a teacher. Finally, in 2002 he made the decision to resume his job as a coal miner in Kentucky. Knowing God had called him to preach, he cried out to the LordâŠ.I donât care where you send me, Iâll go. Shortly thereafter he was offered the job of pastor in a Baptist church. Surely God could not be serious! A Baptist church would not want a spirit-filled pastor, but God said, âDo it!â Many family, friends, and fellow graduates questioned his decision, but God said, âDo it!â Often, God will test our faithfulness. After 5 years, God told Pastor Nathan to resign from the Baptist church. Resigning meant giving up half his salary. Didnât God know he had small children to support? Pastor Nathan then followed the voice of the Holy Spirit who told him to submit his resume to an Assembly of God church which would not typically hire Rhema graduates, but Pastor Nathan obeyed and was hired. He recalled that he never missed a Sunday in the transition. Again, others questioned his choice, but Pastor Nathan followed Godâs leading. Remember, God doesnât ask us to figure it out with our mind. Our part is to hear and obey. Fifteen years later, God once again instructed Pastors Nathan and Jill to resign from the Assembly of God church. They had no idea where they would go, but they sold their home and followed the voice of the Holy Spirit. Their journey led them to Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and finally to Troy, Virginia, which they now call home.
Likewise, Jesus did not follow traditions. He often faced opposition for breaking traditions such as healing on the Sabbath. Jesus did what He saw His Father do. (John 5:16-20) Jesus did revolutionary things. Do you have decisions to make? Donât get caught up in the traditions of men or follow the latest trends. Instead, begin to seek the Spirit of Truth on the inside of you and allow Him to lead you. Walk by faith, not by sight. Stay in the Word of God and allow the Spirit of Truth to guide you to your destiny.