Devotions of Truth

by Lisa Kennedy | More from this Blogger

31 Dec 2006 06:48 PM

What is truth? Does the truth change or does it stay the same? Who determines truth? Is the truth different for everyone? Is the truth different depending on the situation? Do we have to obey or live our lives based upon truth?

The questions listed above are just a few of the many types of questions people, including Christians and nonchristians, ask about truth. In fact, many people spend their entire lives searching for truth. For the Christian, it is easy to answer the questions above through a study of God's Word. The Bible is very clear concerning truth. (As a side note, the purpose of this entry is not about telling the truth versus lying, but rather the ultimate truth as revealed in God's Word.)

So, what is truth? In John 17:17 Jesus states: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." In Psalm 119:160 the psalmist writes, "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever."

Does the truth of God's Word change? No, the truth of God's Word does not change. In Isaiah 40:8 the Bible states: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our Lord will stand forever."

Is the truth different for everyone? Is the truth different depending on the situation? This is one of the hardest concepts to fight in the world today. Many people think that the truth changes depending on the situation. For instance, it is not OK to lie unless you are going to hurt someone's feelings, then it is OK to lie. Is that idea congruent with Scripture? Colossians 3:9 states: "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices." Does that statement include an exception clause?

Do we have to follow/obey truth? Yes! It is vital to spending eternity in heaven. In John 12:48 Jesus says: "The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." It is important to realize that the Bible is only truth we have to follow in this world. The Bible is the ultimate truth and authority and must be treated so.

Here are a few scriptures about truth:

• Psalm 25:5: "Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."
• Psalm 86:11: "Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name."
• 1st Timothy 2:3-4: "This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
• 2nd Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Related topics and words which may be useful in study: Word, righteousness, law, commandment

All Scripture reference is from the English Standard Version (ESV).

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• Devotions of Prayer
• Devotions of Giving
• Devotions of Desire

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