How powerful is that word? And are there connotations implicated which are being ignored more in each generation? Let’s start with a Webster’s on the subject:
Truth-Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is; which has been; or which shall be.
Again, pretty powerful. It represents the quality of being in accordance with actual reality. But, how many realities are we asked to accept on a daily basis anymore? The mind of man seems to continually mutate ‘reality’ in order to embrace an ever expanding love of self and sin. Morality, once grounded firmly on God’s Word, has become subjective. This is the post-enlightenment, New Age mindset. It only functions under conditions which defy or eradicate the axiom of Truth as defined above. A self-gratifying atmosphere which allows whatever is desirable or seductive to one’s spirit to replicate Truth on an individual and often whimsical level.
In the 8th chapter of Zechariah, the prophet records God’s own thoughts on truth a number of times.
In verse 3; He says ‘Jerusalem will be called The City of Truth’
In verse 8; ‘I will be their God in truth and righteousness’
In verse 16; ‘speak the truth to one another; judge with truth...’
In verse 19; ‘so love truth and peace’
That last phrase is repeated over and over in Scripture; love truth. But what did Pilate say to Jesus?
John 18:37... “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?"
In the previous chapter, Jesus had covered the answer while praying for the disciples and all those who would later believe.
John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."
When considering our search for truth, I’m reminded of a line I once heard in a popular film. One character is advising another on following the Spirit’s voice and the writers penned what should be a very famous statement when it comes to diligently pursuing God.
We should remind ourselves of that when things seem to be getting out of control and complicated. The real Truth of life is very simple. It’s just not easy to stay focused on when the ‘world’ is so conditioned to distract and lie to us. There is a ‘Father of Lies’. He is the behind the scenes manipulator of the ongoing war to eradicate Truth from the mind and soul of man. The only anchor which consistently stands the test of these roaring tides is the Word of God.
When Jesus is up against Satan in Mathew chapter 4, he parries every thrust by quoting God’s Word. Think of that, the ‘word made flesh’, the only begotten, who has now been placed by the Father’s side with all authority and power, was dependent on the same ‘Sword of the Spirit’ from Ephesians 6, as you and I when engaged in combat with the forces of darkness. According to Scripture, that is the only offensive weapon available to us. How well do you know it? How strong is your interest in becoming a Master Swordsman for God?.
Our Creator made us in His image. That means we think and reason much like He does. If you are repeatedly bombarded with outright lies, sooner or later you will know it is a lie. Even if it is a lie you might want to believe to justify your own behavior, you will still recognize that something is amiss...or does not compute. The godless suppress their consciences and rationalize using the fact that ‘society accepts it’ or ‘everybody else does it’. However, if the follower of Christ strays into that trap they must contend with the Spirit of Truth.
John 14:16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
Each day we walk the Earth, we are subjected to unseen spiritual influences. Your 'will' allows you to choose which to embrace. Remember, there is also the spirit of error.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God,....
5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them.
6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
The spirit of error is in opposition to the Spirit of Truth. You can easily detect which spirit you are following by looking into your heart. Is there a thirst for Truth there? Does your interest in eternal matters outweigh you interest in the ‘pleasures of the world’?
All of us have a final destination. Daily we contend for that which we consider precious and that pursuit reflects our final stop. The only pursuit which will matter in the end, will be the one that provides the best possible outcome of this journey we call life. I would submit to you that this is the daily and consistent pursuit of Truth...God’s truth.