Let Your Bias Go

Evidence:
1. A thing or things helpful in forming a conclusion or judgment:
2. Something indicative; an outward sign

Over the years I have debated a lot of different people on many different topics.  All the debates always seem to fall down to one question; what is your evidence?  Oh that question comes in many forms like, “prove it”, or some such declaration, but in the end, evidence is what is sought.

Above I have provided the American heritage dictionary’s definition of evidence (absent the legal courtroom definition).  Many people (most even) claim that they use a thing or things in forming a conclusion or judgment and that those things are an indicative and outward sign pointing to their conclusion or judgment.  In reality, and without realizing it often, humans have a conclusion or judgment that they then look for things to bolster that.  Their beliefs cause them to seek things helpful in confirming their conclusions.  In fact, their beliefs cause them to see things as evidence of their beliefs that neither confirms nor denies anything.  Paul Simon may have said it best in the song, ‘the Boxer’; a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.  This is called confirmation bias.

In James 4:4 the question is asked, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  It’s a good question.  It cuts to the core on the question of bias because there is really only to biases That one can have; are you with God or are you against God?  In all the debates I have had on nearly any topic, it always seems to boil down to that question.  Are we going to accept what god has said in his word, The bible?  Or are we going to accept some other belief?

Throughout all of scripture, this has been the one burning question.  We all have the same evidences.  We have the world around us, the things that are in the world, and the things beyond this world (outer space).  Yet, two people look at the same evidences and come up with wildly different conclusions based on that same evidence.

I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The bible verse is proved true in this statement in nearly any debate involving a believer and a non-believer.   This is the only explanation as to how two different people can look at the same evidence and not see the same thing. 

Ps 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

There are so many that are blind to these truths.  Some people spend their whole lives studying these things to confirm their own view that there is no god.  They are lost souls with blinders on, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 timothy 3:7).  There is only one truth.  Jesus declares, I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No man comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6).  Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).  Choose ye this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).  Let your bias go.