From Hearing to Owning: ‘‘When Truth Becomes Yours”
We hear it all the time: “No lesson is learned until you experience it.” For a long time, I took that to mean only first-hand experience counts—pain you felt, mistakes you made, victories you earned. But growth has more doors than one. Sometimes the “experience” that matures you is what you observe in others. Sometimes it’s the thinking you do in the presence of God—slow, honest reflection—until a truth becomes not just something you were told, but something you own.
As Christians, we hold that there is one Truth—the Word of God (John 17:17). Yet we also know there are many interpretations, and that’s why we need the Holy Spirit to guide us “into all truth” (John 16:13). Scripture doesn’t ask us to accept blindly; it invites us to seek, test, and understand: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Prov. 4:7). Truth becomes yours when you’ve sought wisdom and gained understanding—not just heard a statement.
Experience Isn’t Only First-Hand
“Experience” includes:
Lived reality — what you personally go through.
Witnessed reality — what you learn from others’ stories and mistakes.
Processed reality — what you arrive at through prayerful, critical thinking.
Think of fitness: you don’t improve by randomly copying workouts. You learn which muscles to engage and how to train them. A coach’s instructions (someone else’s experience) plus your own practice plus reflection on form—that’s how a principle becomes your truth. Life works the same way.
One Truth, Wise Interpretation
Because there is one Truth, we don’t chase “my truth” as a final authority. We pursue God’s truth and ask the Spirit to help us handle it rightly (2 Tim. 2:15). That’s why the Bereans were commended: they “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). They didn’t reject teaching; they tested it against the Word until conviction formed.
A Simple Path to Make Truth “Yours”
Receive
Hear the teaching, story, or counsel without pride or defensiveness. “Quick to hear” (James 1:19).Compare
Lay it beside Scripture. What does the Word say in context? What passages balance or clarify others?Ask
Pray for light: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). Invite the Holy Spirit to correct bias and illuminate Christ.Process
Think slowly. Journal. Ask hard questions. Consider alternate views held by faithful believers and why.Practice
Apply the principle in small, honest steps. Truth settles into you through obedience (John 7:17).Revisit
Remain teachable. As seasons change, God often adds nuance without uprooting the core.
Why This Matters
Conviction over convenience. Borrowed opinions collapse under pressure; owned convictions endure.
Unity without confusion. We can differ on minor interpretations while anchoring to the same core Truth.
Fruit, not just facts. Truth that’s understood and applied bears fruit—in character, relationships, work, and worship.
“Subjective Truth”
Scripture is the standard. Personal insights never outrank the Bible.
Community is a safeguard. Wisdom is refined in godly counsel (Prov. 11:14).
Humility keeps you correctable. If the Word or wise counsel shows you a better way, take it.
Bottom line: No truth is truly yours until you’ve received it, tested it, prayed through it, practiced it, and returned to it. That process doesn’t make truth relative—it makes truth rooted. And rooted truth is what you can live by, suffer for, and pass on.
Reflection prompts:
What belief have I been carrying that I’ve never actually tested against Scripture?
Where is the Spirit nudging me to move from “I was told” to “I am convinced—and I obey”?