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Jun 19, 2026 06:00am

Why We Believe Things We Want to Be True

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“Drink this tea, and all your troubles will go away.”

My husband and I had wandered into a little tea shop. An enticing aroma drew us in, and the little sign out front offered a buy two, get one free special.

We absolutely knew nothing about tea. We’re from the South, so about the only kind of tea we drink is sweet tea.

As we glanced around, a sweet salesperson came to see if we needed help. We told her how little we knew about tea, so she began to share with us all the benefits.

This one will help you sleep. This one will give you energy. This one will help with mood swings.

“Oh yes! Drink this tea, and it will help you with your mood. It is great for that.”

Shaun said, “Load us up!” 😂

We walked out of the store with three different teas, a little diffuser, and a lot less money.

We got home, and I made some of that tea. But to my surprise, nothing happened. No changes in my mood. Still irritable. Still feeling gray rather than joyful.

I must not be putting enough tea in there. It needs to be stronger.

I added more tea.

Nope. No change.

Maybe it needs to steep longer.

Nope, that didn’t help either.

After almost using the whole package of tea, we came to the realization that what had been promised might have been a little misleading.

But the truth is, we were the ones who had wanted to believe it. We knew there were benefits of drinking tea, but it wasn’t what we were hoping. We wanted to believe that if we drank this tea, then all our troubles would go away.

Colossians 2:8–10

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

Paul had a warning for the believers in Colosse. There were people who were telling them that if they did these things, then they would reach a higher level of spirituality. But what they were sharing was empty philosophy and nonsense.

Paul said, don’t fall for it. If it’s not of Christ, it’s not for you. It has no place in your life, and it certainly has no place in the church.

So, how do we know what is true and what is false?

First, ask, what is the source? Where did this idea originate? Was it from man or from God?

Second, test it against Scripture. Does it align with the Bible and the character and will of God, or does it twist Scripture to make it fit their agenda?

Third, pray to the Holy Spirit to give you understanding, wisdom, and discernment.

Fourth, seek godly counsel. Go to trusted friends whom you know to have a strong relationship with the Lord and who seek out the truth in Scripture.

Know this: We are complete in Christ.

Do you want to know more about the truth from God’s Word and how to have a relationship with Jesus?