Truth is a Person
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
(John 8:32, NKJV)
When different people tell of a story, they express the things which had impact on them, some will tell of the hilarious moments while others will give their interpretation of the happenings. However, when one listens to all the story tellers, he gets a sense of what happened whether in sequence or not. When one stands in a courtroom dock, the judge and jury are after finding out the actual truth of the situation and so one is asked to swear that he will tell the truth and nothing but the truth. This means reporting exactly what one saw or heard without making any personal interpretation. The witness needs to be truthful and state the facts without conjecture. The conversation of what truth is has become more and more complicated as man counts himself developed, so that we now hear of relative truth and personal truth. As each person stands on their truth, it becomes clear that what is considered truth shifts depending on the what the individual wants. Definition of lies which are known to be the opposite of truth, has also evolved and redefined, so that it is acceptable to talk of a white lie, political correctness, and the notion that omitting to give full information about an issue is not a lie.
My brethren, I find it confusing when we seek to define these two terms clearly: truth versus a lie. I choose to submit to us that according to the word of God, truth is the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus helped us with this question when He said that He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). For those of us who believe, we cannot be confused of what truth is, we just need to look at what Jesus told us, He is the truth. Our reference verse takes this deeper by reminding us that we are free when we know the truth. When we know Jesus as the truth of God, then our hearts do not struggle any more with the definitions, but we rest in the freedom that Jesus gives us.
The bible carries a lot of references on truth, which helps us understand how important it is to God. When we look at the armor of God given to fight the evil one, truth is presented as a weapon. We are to be girded with the belt of truth, (Ephesians 6:14). Truth is what holds all that we are wearing together as a belt is tied round the body. God’s word is truth and that is what we are to be girded with, it is what keeps us on a firm foundation of faith. The Psalmist said that the total sum of God’s word is truth (Psalm 119:160). Clarity on what truth really is according to God is important for it is His word, we cannot live or attempt to explain it any differently. In His mercies, God knows that we cannot do this by ourselves and so the Holy Spirit helps. John writes that when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Beloved, truth is all about God, truth is God Himself and truth is His word which guides believers. Truth sanctifies us (John 17:17). May we pray like the Psalmist that God would teach us how to walk in His truth (Psalm 86:11). Let us also pray for others to walk in truth for the joy of the Lord (3 John 1:4). May we be found to clear the confusion on the truth of God.
Thoughts:
How do you look at truth?
How does believing that Jesus is the truth impact your life?
How can you help those around you know the truth?