You’ve no doubt heard the expression: “It doesn’t really matter what you believe, just as long as you’re sincere.” In effect, this says sincerity is the criteria for truth.
As an airman in the United States Air Force, I had to drive 1,200 miles to get to Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. Having seen what happens to guys who went AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) or who show up late to their duty station, I very sincerely wanted to get there on time. So I prayed about it, got on the freeway, and just started driving, sure that my sincerity would get me there…You know better than that! I went to the Auto Club and had them mark out on a map exactly how to get to the base (this was before we had GPS!).
I followed their instructions precisely — and arrived promptly! It does matter what you believe. I followed that map and it got me there. No amount of sincerity could have done that!
“It doesn’t really matter what you believe, just as long as you’re sincere” reflects the thinking of our culture — and is a lie straight from hell! It does matter what you believe because the Bible says our choices determine our destiny.