Pontius Pilate responded, "What is truth?" Echoes from this rhetorical question continue to ring in human hearts around the world. Indeed, this is a very deep and philosophical question that demands an answer.
Now, I don't hope to provide a complete analysis of truth is this blog, but I do know that it is an important theme throughout the Bible. In fact, God has said many things about truth, and I've included some of them here:
- Jesus is truth. (John 14:6)
- The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. (John 16:13)
- The truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
- God's Word is a Word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
- We are to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
- God wants us to have truth within our inner man. (Psalm 51:6)
- The way of truth is a choice. (Psalm 119:30)
- We need to speak the truth in love. (Ephesisans 4:15)
The above statements represent only a small portion of what the Bible has to say about truth--a very important subject in God's eyes, to be sure.
Abraham Lincoln said, "The truth is your very best friend, no matter what the circumstances." Why? Truth entails honesty, good faith, openness, and sincerity. It results in a superior quality of life.
This we know: our Lord Jesus was a teacher of truth, and He embodied truth. He always bore witness to the truth. He is the personification of truth, and from Him we learn what truth really is. Jesus' whole life was consumed with the truth--a very important concept to Him.
Pope Benedict XVI has explored the relationship of truth with tolerance, conscience, freedom, and religion. He writes, "Beyond all particular questions, the real problem lies in the question of truth." He has suggested that truth and love are identical, and he said that truth is "the surest guarantee of tolerance."
I think there is a very close correlation between love and truth, for one cannot walk in love without seeking truth and being truthful. Likewise, one cannot live in truth without being a loving and giving individual.
What, then, is truth? It is a way of life in which one strives to be free from duplicity and guile in any form. There can be no compromises about truth. The person who chooses to live in truth has put all lies and falsehoods behind him/her.
Let's say that a person sins or commits a serious error of some sort. The guilt that follows the act suggests to him/her that there is a way to find freedom from the sin or error, and that way is the way of truth. By speaking the truth in love (for oneself and others) he or she truly is set free. "Yes, I did it, and I'm sorry," is the best of all possible responses in such a situation. It is far better than lying or trying to hide from the facts or endeavoring to cover them up.
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NIV). So, seek the truth, and you shall find it. "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23, KJV). "Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). As you do these things, the Holy Spirit--the Spirit of truth--". . . will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13, KJV).
Remember, the truth is your best friend, no matter what the circumstances.
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