As we step into a new year, it’s natural to reflect on our lives, our choices, and the direction we’re heading. New years have a way of making us pause and ask important questions: Am I living wisely? Am I building on truth? Am I following God—or just following the crowd?
Those questions matter more than ever as we move toward 2026.
We live in a world overflowing with voices. Short clips. Opinions. Algorithms. AI-generated content. News headlines. Social media trends. Influencers. Philosophies old and new. Everyone has something to say, and much of it sounds confident, polished, and convincing.
But confidence does not equal truth.
The Danger of an Unexamined Faith
In Acts 17, the apostle Paul travels through several cities preaching the Gospel. In Thessalonica, some believe—but others react with jealousy, anger, and mob pressure. Truth threatens power, and resistance follows.
Then Paul arrives in Berea.
Scripture tells us something remarkable about the Bereans
“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)
The Bereans weren’t cynical.
They weren’t gullible.
They were eager and discerning.
They listened closely—but they checked everything against God’s Word.
That posture is exactly what believers need today.
Faith Requires Trust—But Not Ignorance
Christian faith absolutely requires faith. We trust God for what we cannot fully see or understand. But faith in Christ is not meant to be shallow, unthinking, or detached from reason.
Paul didn’t walk into synagogues saying, “Just feel it.”
He reasoned from the Scriptures.
He explained.
He proved.
He pointed people to Jesus.
God is not threatened by honest questions.
Truth holds up under examination.
If the only Scripture you engage with is what you hear on Sunday morning, your faith will be under-equipped for the pressure of everyday life. Sermons matter—but they are not meant to replace daily time in the Word.
A World That Pushes Opinions, Not Wisdom
The book of Proverbs speaks plainly about the difference between wisdom and foolishness:
“The fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Prov. 18:2)
“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Prov. 28:26)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Prov. 1:7)
We are surrounded by opinions. Loud ones. Emotional ones. Confident ones. But wisdom takes work. It requires humility. It requires slowing down. It requires reverence for God.
The fear of the Lord is not panic—it’s reverence. It’s recognizing that God is God, and we are not. It’s letting His Word shape our thinking, not just confirm our preferences.
Tools Aren’t Evil—But They Can Disciple You
Technology itself isn’t evil. AI, social media, and digital tools can be used for good—and often are. But any tool that captures attention can shape belief.
If we aren’t intentional, we will be discipled by whatever voice we listen to the most.
That’s why Scripture must be more than decoration on a shelf. It must become the lens through which we see the world. The Word of God helps us discern what aligns with truth and what subtly pulls us away from it.
Building a Faith That Holds
Jesus said the wise builder builds on solid rock. Storms still come—but the house stands.
As we move into 2026, the goal isn’t panic.
It isn’t isolation.
It isn’t fear of ideas.
The goal is roots.
A church rooted in the Word.
Families grounded in Scripture.
Believers who examine daily, pray consistently, and live faithfully.
Like the Bereans, may we receive God’s Word with eagerness—and examine it daily with discernment.
Because when the noise increases, the Word still holds.