Trust But Verify

Trust But Verify

One of the wise principles in Cybersecurity is “Trust but verify”. We all know that trust is crucial but by verifying, you ensure authenticity and safeguard integrity. This means that when we put in place a security control, we build it to be trusted. But this does not mean that we should just trust the control without verifying that it actually does what it was designed for. You therefore need to test the control (for example, making sure that the requirements for a password are effectively controlled as stated in the policy) and make sure that it operates as expected in all the associated use cases. If the control covers all the use cases, you can then promote the control to production. If not, you need to go back to the design.

The same principle applies to our lives. When we get an information from someone we trust, we generally trust the information also. But we take an additional step to vet the information by checking from other sources. It is at that point that we are confident to take any action related to the information.

Think about the Bible and all the information it contains. Do you trust this information? Do you trust the Word of God? Do you need to verify the Word of God?

Trust the Word of God

As a follower of Christ, we all know and affirm that the Bible is God’s Word. God being Supreme and Just, we therefore put full trust in His Word. We cannot question any phrase or aspect of the Bible. If you notice, I do not point to any interpretation or re-writing of the Bible, I point to the original Word of God. Today, we see a lot of versions of the Bible. We see a lot of Bible studies. We see a lot of extracts from the Bible. The question is: should we trust all these “versions” of the Original Word of God? The answer is NO. The only word to trust is the Word of God.

You will surely ask where to get the original word of God is the Bible we see today are so diverse? The answer is to get a Bible that you can read easily and understand; pray to God and start reading it. You will get to a point where the Holy Spirit that indwells you will start prompting you and pointing out anything that is not of God in the Bible you are reading. He will also tell you the real Word of God!

Personally, I am very comfortable with the New King James (NKJ) version, and I really feel connected to it and through it, connected to God!

When reading the Bible, verify with God and He will let you know all what has been re-written by the publisher that do not tally with the original Word. God is your verifier to make sure you trust His Word – the Bible.

Look at Acts 17:11 (NKJV). This verse reflects the spirit of "trust but verify”: "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

This verse refers to the Bereans, who exemplified this principle by eagerly listening to Paul's teachings (trust) while also diligently examining the Scriptures to confirm the accuracy and truth of his words (verify). It’s a great reminder to embrace faith with an open heart but also to seek understanding and validation through prayers to God and personal study and reflection. Please note that the word “Scriptures” refers to the original Word of God!

Call for action

Put your full trust in the Word of God – the Bible. For any verse you read, any chapter you read, any book you read, call on God through the Holy Spirit to give you validation of the originality of His Word. God is our verifier and He will make sure He points to you any item that needs to be corrected in the multitudes of versions of the Bible and studies that are in the market.

Pray every day that God immerse you in His truth so you can fully trust in Him! Remember what Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

God bless you! 

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