Part 6: Lighthouses Don’t Shout at Waves

Living as People of the Truth in a Half Truth, My Truth, No Truth World, post 6 of 7

We’re living in what feels like a perfect storm: confusion, convenience, and constant connectivity.

Now, I’m the last person to complain about how helpful technology can be—but let’s be honest. The rise of digital confusion is real. We are more connected than ever—and somehow more confused than ever. You used to have to go looking for lies. Now they find you—served up by the algorithm before your morning coffee.

Opinions are treated like facts. Influencers become theologians. Anyone with a phone and a ring light can declare what’s “true for them,” and within 60 seconds, millions of people can hear it. We have more access to information than any generation before us… and yet less wisdom than ever.

In the past 15 years, the ex-vangelical movement has helped fuel the rise of deconstructing faith. Now listen—not all deconstruction is bad. Sometimes people are honestly trying to strip away man-made religion, legalism, or toxic teaching and rediscover the beauty of Jesus.

But for many, “deconstruction” has become demolition. They’re not rebuilding anything. They’re just tearing down. It’s not about finding the real Jesus. It’s about distancing themselves from conviction. It’s not about clarity—it’s about comfort. It’s not about surrendering to Jesus—it’s about reshaping Jesus into someone who agrees with me.

And this isn’t just a young-person problem. We like to blame Gen Z or Millennials, but truthfully—it’s not an age thing. It’s an “us” thing. Across every generation, we’ve got people forming their faith in 15-second clips. And the problem with short-form content is that it can be just true enough to sound right… and just wrong enough to be deadly.

You can stitch together a theology that sounds loving—until it’s tested.

You can assemble beliefs that feel affirming—until you need them to anchor you in crisis.

You can follow a gospel that makes you feel good—until you’re forced to ask whether it’s actually good.

Here’s the honest truth:

• We don’t need more influencers—we need more truth-bearers.
• We don’t need curated beliefs—we need a courageous Church.
• We are not called to mock the world for getting lost—we are called to shine the light.

So what do we do when we find ourselves in a fog of confusion… when truth is mocked or rebranded… when lies are louder than ever?

Do we shout louder?

Withdraw?

Blend in?

No. We live faithfully. And here’s how:

1. Abide in the Word.

Jesus said in John 8:31–32: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

You want to be a person of truth? You have to abide in it. Not just occasionally read the Word—abide in it. Let it shape your thoughts, form your reactions, and define your values. Scripture isn’t just a manual. It’s a mirror. It doesn’t just give you facts—it gives you formation.

When you know the real thing, you’re quicker to spot the counterfeit.

That’s how bank tellers are trained to identify fake bills. They don’t study all the fakes—they study the real thing until they know it by heart. The weight. The feel. The texture. So when something’s off, they just know.

We need that kind of discernment again. But you won’t get it if your Bible is just a decoration on the shelf.

Read it. Rehearse it. Obey it. Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16). The world will offer you a hundred lies a day. You’d better be grounded in the truth.

2. Reflect the Truth in Grace.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:15 to “speak the truth in love.”

Truth doesn’t need a hammer—it needs a witness.

This is where we sometimes get it wrong. We confuse truth with winning arguments. But the goal isn’t to win debates—it’s to reflect the heart of Jesus. Jesus never compromised truth—but He never used it to belittle either. He loved people into truth, not out of it.

Truth without love? Brutality.

Love without truth? Hypocrisy.

Truth with love? That’s the gospel.

Before you post… before you rant… before you “correct someone in Jesus’ name”… stop and ask:

Am I doing this from a spirit of love—or just a need to be right?

3. Live as People of Light in Darkness.

Jesus said: “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others.” (Matthew 5:14, 16)

The world doesn’t need more noise. It needs the light of truth—seen clearly in a sin-darkened world.

This is not a time for panic.

It’s not a time to hide.

It’s not a time to be ashamed of truth.

It’s the time to live so rooted in Jesus that people can’t help but notice—there’s something different about you.

And yes—it’s easy to look around and feel discouraged. To see headlines, compromise, confusion—and wonder if we’re too far gone.

But don’t miss this: This isn’t just a challenge—it’s a chance.

In stormy seas, lighthouses don’t shout at the waves.

They shine.

Coming up in Part 7: What Will You Do With the Truth? We’ve covered the lies. We’ve seen the confusion. Now comes the question every generation must answer: How will we respond? Let’s finish this journey strong. Tomorrow.