In opposition to the commonly held beliefs about truth, the Bible robustly affirms absolute truth that can be known and understood. In fact, Scripture argues that it is a denial of truth that causes much of the disarray in one’s heart and the world. It is conformity with truth that creates order and brings freedom.
So, how do we start living in truth?
What Does the Bible Say Defines Truth?
The world has given us a hundred different ways to understand truth. In a postmodern world, all truth is relative. Absolute truth, therefore, does not exist (which is a truth claim in itself).
Pluralism, on the other hand, claims all truths are equally valid. To which, you might ask, can a dog both be a dog and not be a dog? The law of non-contradiction would say no.
Socratic thinking, which takes on many faces today, claims that although truth may exist, it cannot be truly known. An atheistic worldview must, by default, uphold this understanding. If the brain is merely a haphazard assortment of neurons firing at random intervals, then who could trust it?
Scripture presents a different understanding of truth. Psalm 119:160 says to God, “the sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgements is everlasting.”
Truth is everything that aligns with ultimate reality as designed and defined by God. In the book of John, Jesus affirms this statement: “Sanctify them in the truth,” He prays to His Father,“Your word is truth” (John 17:17).
What Does the Bible Say about Seeking Truth?
Unlike the Socratic view, which denies anyone’s ability to ever really know anything at all, Jesus told His listeners that “if you continue in My word, then you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
It seems that Jesus believed that truth is both real and capable of being understood. His statement also suggests that we do not inherently know what is true—God must reveal it to us. Therefore, we are in bondage. According to Jesus, discovering truth does not come passively, nor can it be found by reaching deep into the crevices of one’s own brain. It must be sought after through discipleship, by continuing in His word, with the aid of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).
This teaching aligns with Romans 1:20, which states, “for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” The truth about who God is cannot be found by looking within one’s mind but by looking outside oneself.
John C. Lennox, a professor at Oxford University and author of several books, places Jesus’s teaching found in John 11 that “if anyone walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world” (John 11:9) within the context of the whole of Scripture, namely Genesis 1 wherein we see the lights of the world offered as means of guidance. We would lack a workable understanding of our place and time within this world without the sun. Although we may happen across bits of truth here and there, we are largely left in the dark when attempting to make sense of the world ourselves. As we all depend on the guidance of an entity outside ourselves to see where we are going, we also need a guiding light outside our own heads to teach us what is true. Christ, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), is that light.
We must, therefore, seek Christ’s mind on every matter. This teaching is found in Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, where he urges them to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
This verse is part of a larger passage that explains how the acceptance of truth is a matter of spiritual warfare. Satan, who was “a murderer from the beginning” and is the “father of lies” (John 8:44), is perpetually attempting to sow discord and steal freedom through means of getting us to agree with beliefs that oppose the truth revealed in Christ. His primary attack is against the truth of the gospel of Christ, our ultimate victory.
According to Scripture, seeking out truth is not merely a matter of accruing knowledge but of freedom from bondage, of life over death.
What Does the Bible Say about Living Truth?
Romans 1:18 says that “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,” revealing the fact that how we live is either a testimony to truth or falsehood.
We can see how this works using the ten commandments as a reference point. For example, the first commandment states that “you shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). In denying the exaltation of other gods, the one who abides by the first commandment reveals the truth that Yahweh is “supreme over all gods and over all powers” (Deut. 10:17). Commandments 6-10 forbid murdering, committing adultery, stealing, bearing false witness and coveting. When God’s imagers commit those acts, the truth of God’s goodness, and the truth that every person is of inestimable value, is suppressed. The statement “I can never believe in a good God because of all the bad things that have been done to me” shows this as a lived reality.
On the other hand, when we acknowledge that, as imagers of the God of life, we were made to bring forth life and therefore choose not to murder, our life is a testimony to reality.
When we recognize God as a perfect provider and so choose not to covet, then we reveal the truth that we are dependent on Him and that He is worthy to be trusted.
When we actively choose not to degrade another person through lustful thoughts, we live out the truth that they are of infinite value and we were created to care for, not to use others. To live truthfully is to live in a way that reveals our nature as people created to image a loving God.
What Does the Bible Say about Speaking Hard Truths?
Often, it can feel like the meanest thing in the world to tell someone the truth. The warm fuzzies do not always accompany truth. But it is truth that leads to freedom, not lies. Therefore, if we want to love someone well, there will be times when we must speak uncomfortable truths.
We often face two temptations when the time to speak hard truths arises. It is tempting to avoid speaking such truths out of fear or speaking truth in anger.
In defense of the avoidance approach, many will quote Jesus’s words in Matthew 7:1. “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” However, we misunderstand this verse if we take it as a decree to never discern right versus wrong in others to encourage them toward the path of life. The passage’s meaning is closer to “do not condemn, so that you will not be condemned.” We are not responsible for allotting ultimate condemnation. We are responsible for protecting the holiness of God’s temple (Matthew 18:15-17).
For Jesus to deal with our sins, He must confront us with the reality that we are sinful people. Only then can He offer us the freedom that comes through forgiveness. As followers of Christ, we must likewise be willing to confront others of the sin that is hurting them and others.
If you are in this position, remember the need for “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
To avoid the all too common temptation to begrudgingly push the truth on another person to force them to conform to that which will serve you best, there are two actions that must take place.
First, ask yourself, “Why do I want to share the truth with this person?”
Second, you must pray and ask God to search your heart and reveal anything self-serving. Then pray that He removes that from you and pours His love for the other person into your heart (Romans 5:5).
What Does the Bible Say about Speaking Truth When You Have Been Hurt?
Sometimes, real wrongs, very painful wrongs, have been done to you. If this is the case, you can trust that the Lord your God loves and cares for you. You can give your pain to Him and trust that He is the only righteous judge. Pray for wisdom on the timing and the words that should be said if you feel He is leading you to confront the offender.
If you are in danger, it is wise to get the help of a godly individual, such as an elder or mentor, to assist in the process.
Lastly, pray for a receptive heart. It is the Lord that softens our hearts and opens our ears. Your words will go in one ear and out the other if the person you want to speak to is unwilling to listen. The Lord may use our words, but ultimately, a conviction of the Holy Spirit is needed for anyone to listen.
Pray for those things, and then lay everything down at the feet of your Father. Avoid the temptation to map out in your head how the conversation is going to go. All you can do is walk in obedience and trust that the Lord will handle the rest. His “ways are lovingkindness and truth” (Psalm 25:10).
If the hard truth that needs to be spoken reveals your sin against a loved one, all these suggestions still stand. You need God to soften your heart and the heart of the person you have wounded. You need Him to give you wisdom about when and what to say. Guard against any desire to decide how the other person should respond. Instead, pray that the Lord is present with and comforts the heart of your loved one. Pray for reconciliation, and trust that the Lord desires to bring it about. God is good. He loves you, and He loves the person that you have sinned against. He wants you to walk in the light. To walk in truth.
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