Have you ever witnessed a testimonial? A testimonial is an attestation given in writing or verbally of one's character, ability or experience. We are swayed by the testimonials of others and thus various groups seek to compile a list of witnesses to an event. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was carefully noted and recorded through those who were "eye-witnesses." One of the requirements for replacing Judas was to find someone who had been with them through all of the great moments (Acts 2:21). Testimonials are often necessary and they do carry a lot of weight. The words of explorers like Christopher Columbus brought about the settlement of the New World - or the testimonies of those who found gold in Alaska and the Yukon were enough to incite an intense desire in the minds of thousands to face any danger in order to reach what was being reported.
In religion there are also many forms of testimonials. In some churches, people stand up and give their testimony before many others. Miracles, which are required for the installation of an individual to sainthood, are also promoted by testimonials. In some instances if a person has no testimony to give, a feeling of being "less" grows. It seems we "have to" have something that proves God has reached out and touched our lives. A deep understanding of Scripture and how that is reflected in our lives should be enough as that is the true sign of God working within us, but somehow, that is not "romantic" or "spiritual" enough. What a dilemma! The human mind, though, is very resilient and our imaginations work on - even in our sleep. Some of the vivid dreams we have are witness to that. We can invent testimonials and just like a fishing fanatic, our stories grow with the telling. All of us have experienced the time when we were relating our favorite experience, most dangerous moment, or our calling from God - only to stop for a breath and have someone chime in with an even better story and an even greater spiritual moment. What does one do in such a case? We manage to find ways to add to our stories and we certainly do not appreciate the one with the "bigger" experience.
How do we separate the real truth from exaggeration and just a little bit of an "add-on?" Most of the time we are not concerned about truth because we have come to believe our own stories. Our fish were always bigger and better. Our experiences were more exciting - or at least as exciting. We must find instances when God was also working in our lives. The Bible tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). The mirror we look into tells us that we are not so bad after all. We can believe what we want to believe. The testimony of young lovers who constantly see one another through "rose-colored glasses" is simply another form of the ability of our mind to see what we want to see.
We do come down to reality eventually. Sometimes the drop is severe and often it is very painful. To our minds it seems dangerous to be really honest with ourselves, yet God sees every facet of our nature and character and there is nothing that is hidden from Him (Psalm 139). Therefore disclosure is not only vital, but also wise. Before His awesome gaze, we can only be humble and contrite. We need to come to the realization that nothing we have done is acceptable (Isa. 64:6). All of our "righteousness" has been made possible by Jesus Christ and there is nothing in which we can boast. Once we reach that level of honesty within ourselves, we will experience the opposite to what we fear. Our words must be words of truth.
Testimonials are of value when they are true. Tabitha (Dorcas) was a wonderful woman who died as we all must die. But those who knew and loved her told of all her wonderful deeds and God heard their prayer (Acts 9:39). She was brought back to life for a few more years. Paul spoke of what he had endured (2 Cor. 11:23-28). His testimony was true, but Paul was obviously a little embarrassed to have to defend his ministry. It is only when testimonials are contrived and untrue or exaggerated that our inner fears and inadequacies are revealed.
Recently I was reading a Cincinnati newspaper and saw a full page with some wonderful sounding advertisements - sponsored by the Universal Media Syndicate. The first half- page ad was for Trigosamine. It has been advertised as a fast acting drug that gives almost instant joint relief. "Just imagine, a pill that can help you get around more easily in just an hour," reads the ad. Several doctors are quoted in the article. Dr. Joseph Dietz the full-time Director of Health Science, Research Development had completed an eight week clinical study using 54 people and concluded: "I've never seen relief like this before." There is a special discount for ordering within a 48 hour deadline and information where to buy the drug. A web-site is given and words like amazing, remarkable and first-come first served encourage people who suffer to phone right away for this remarkable cure. On the second half of the same page we are told "Drug store sales soar; clinical study data confirms results." This second drug delivers five times more weight loss without changing the patient's daily diet or exercise routine. This drug is called Apatrim and the same Dr. Joseph Dietz is the expert behind the claims. In the USA, these drugs are far more easily sold than in Canada. In small print, we read: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." This disclaimer, neatly removes any responsibility from the company selling the drugs. No refunds are offered and the details of the product are often kept secret.
People do hurt and seek help for health problems. Our hearts go out to those who suffer. Jesus had mercy on a woman who had spent all she had for a cure that eluded her (Luke 8:43). People also worry about eternity and all the more so as the years drift by. Religious groups offer "holy water" for healing, "green cloths" for promises of wealth, "prayer crosses" for special acceptance of one's prayers - and an encouragement to send in a donation. Sometimes the amount is stated - the larger the donation the greater the blessing. "Cures" are a dime a dozen in the USA and abound in every newspaper. A dime a dozen is really in error - that saying came into practice when a dime had some value. Now we can say: "Fifty dollars a dozen" - or whatever the market will bear. Meanwhile, those who collect the money - be they sellers of drugs or sellers of spiritual blessings - accept no blame for the lack of success. Religious groups will say the person is at fault - lacking faith, not trusting them, not sending in enough money. Cures brought about by the gall bladders of a bear, velvet of elk horns and a host of other bizarre but "proven" cures, are still given by those who take our money and walk away. Still, there are always those who "swear" by the item and give positive testimonials.
There is nothing new under the sun, said the wise man (Eccl. 1:9) - not the gullibility of people, nor the ingathering of wealth by those who sell the products they produce. We learn slowly, but there is a new generation coming along that will continue to provide the market, so the testimonials will continue - a new sucker is born every minute. In religion and in health we will hear testimonials - true and false - until Christ returns, and then only truth will blanket this earth.