Dictionary definition of truth: the real facts about something: the things that are true: the quality or state of being true: a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true
“What is truth”? Pilate asked Jesus that question after He was arrested and right after Jesus had told him that He was a king. Jesus had said, “You are right in saying that I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37)
Most of the turmoil that the world is experiencing today is because the truth has been perverted. Please notice that in the dictionary definition of truth it states that it is an idea that is accepted as true. That’s where the problems arise. People today are accepting whatever they read or whatever is spoken by someone they hold in high regard as the truth. It seems to have become the truth because someone said it’s the truth. Few people read the Bible and most of those who choose to accept someone else’s word about the truth don’t know or follow what the Bible says about truth.
As a Christian, I have God’s word to lead me to the truth about all things. Psalm 51:6 speaks about the God of the universe who desires truth. The Lord God Almighty spoke through the prophet Zechariah that we are to speak the truth to each other and render true and sound judgement in our courts; he said we are not to plot evil against our neighbors and we are not to love to swear falsely. (Zechariah 8:16-17)
Jesus told his disciples that He was the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) He also said that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. He referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth who would guide believers into all truth.
As believers in Christ Jesus, we know that God the Father is all-knowing, all-seeing and that absolutely nothing in the world escapes His knowledge. He alone knows the truth about all people and all situations. King David realized that he couldn’t hide his sins from God and stated, “surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” There is nowhere to hide from God Almighty because He is everywhere at all times. But He has created us with a free will and although He desires a close relationship with us and wants us to desire the same thing, He will let us make our own choices. Our desires for our selves can over ride God’s desires.
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” ( Romans 1:24-25)
The Apostle Paul had much to say about truth and wrote to the church in Corinth that love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He told the church in Ephesus to be strong in the Lord and take their stand against the devil’s schemes by buckling the belt of truth around their waists. He warned the church in Thessalonica that “the coming of the lawless one would be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) And he gave Timothy this hope, “God our Savior wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4) He said that the church of the living God was the pillar and foundation of the truth.
As I said before, God has given us freewill to decide whether or not to seek Him, but there are consequences for our choices. The author of Hebrews says, “if we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (Hebrews 10:26-27)
Peter also warned about false prophets and false teachers saying that they would secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them–bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. (2 Peter 2:1-2)
We read in 1 John 1:6 and 1:8 these words, “If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
The Bible is very clear about being truthful and seeking God’s truth in all things. It is upsetting when Christian people read something online, accept it as the truth and pass along the information without first checking the facts. As Christians, it is our duty to be truthful in all things and to seek God’s wisdom and the Spirit’s guidance before we share information which may be false or damaging to someone’s character. In this age of twisted truth, we have to be diligent and careful about pursuing the truth and presenting the truth to those around us in love. Jesus spoke to the Jewish believers these words, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) It is up to us, His disciples to hold onto His teaching and seek the truth in all things. If we live our lives based on the truth that Jesus Christ has shown us, we will be set free and can stand firm against the enemy and the lies that he tells. His falsehoods cannot harm us because we are in a right relationship with God the Father.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
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