Proof— facts, evidence, argument; a demonstration or act of proving.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you– unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Cor. 13:5 NIV)
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 Jn. 4:1 NIV)
Proof requires facts, evidence, a demonstration of reality.
Being in the faith is not proven by simply making the claim that I am in the faith. Paul asks, “Is Christ in you?” Are you demonstrating the likeness of Jesus?
John exhorts us to examine every spirit and especially examining our own spirit. Are my thoughts and actions from God? Can I demonstrate that my actions are a result of following God’s will?
We need a return to proof in so many areas of our lives. We need to be asking questions like, “What is your proof of that? Show me. What are you basing that upon? What is your evidence?”
We don’t engage in discussion and debate anymore. Instead we shame, insult or degrade those who do not think as we do. We shame those we disagree with and feel good about ourselves for the stance we have taken but offer no proof for the stance we are taking except if it is what we feel.
Do you want evidence of this? Read social media for a little while.
We can be better. We can talk to and about one another in a better way. We can start by striving to be like Jesus.