The Bible Warned Us: Not All That Glitters Is Gold

In our world, where distractions abound and appearances can be deceiving, how do we discern what truly matters in our faith?

Rev. Dr. Jared Alcántara, a distinguished preacher and professor at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, joins Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime in an insightful conversation about filtering out life’s illusions and staying rooted in what is truly valuable.

Drawing from the Apostle Paul’s writings and the wisdom of William Blake, Rev. Dr. Alcántara challenges us to see the world through the lens of faith rather than being captivated by what merely glitters. He reminds us that, just as scripture warns, not everything that shines is of eternal worth.

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Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
How do we help each other, our kids, and our congregations figure out which are the things that are just glittering and which are the things that are gold in terms of our theological orientation?

Rev. Dr. Jared Alcántara
In so many ways, we are being apprenticed into that which glitters instead of that which is gold.

Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
Oh, apprenticed—I love that, yes.

Rev. Dr. Jared Alcántara
Yes, our kids are, and we are as adults as well, so there is a filtering that has to happen.

I think of the Apostle Paul. We used to see people through a worldly point of view. We do so no longer. The phrase there is kata sarka, "according to the flesh." Now we do so no longer. If anyone is in Christ—new creation.

So it’s as if prescription lenses have been put on, and there's a new way of seeing. To see the gold instead of the glitter is to insist on a new way of seeing, to try to "see through and not just with the eye.", to borrow from Blake again—that's difficult, that's inherently difficult, because that which glitters appears to be gold!

So, it's not that we can't enjoy our lives or the different things that happen in our culture. It's not that we can't be entertained in any way. There's nothing so exciting as a beautiful film or a story—those things are good things. It's just that so often, good things can become distorted. And that's when we start to chase after the glitter instead of the gold.

Reflection: Seeking What is Golden

Rev. Dr. Alcántara’s reflection invites us into a crucial practice of faith: the discipline of discernment.

In a culture that glorifies success, wealth, and appearances, it is easy to be captivated by what looks good rather than what is good. Yet, scripture calls us to look deeper—to see with spiritual eyes rather than just physical ones.

• The Apostle Paul reminds us that being in Christ means seeing beyond the flesh (kata sarka) to recognize true spiritual renewal.
• William Blake’s poetry cautions against believing in illusions rather than reality.
• Jesus himself rejected the devil’s offer of earthly kingdoms, choosing instead the enduring riches of obedience to God.

In what ways do distractions prevent you from seeing God's truth clearly?

Explore Rev. Dr. Jared Alcántara’s full sermon from episode 4172 >>>