"What is Truth?"

We live in a world that is filled with confusion, hate, violence, and stress. There are so many opinions about what is right and what is wrong. There are even opinions that claim there is no moral right or wrong. There are some people who long for a clearly defined "Truth." But where can they find it? What is Truth?

Webster defines truth as, "the body of real things, events, and facts: actuality: the state of being the case: fact: a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality." Let's examine what the Bible says Truth is.

Truth is an attribute of God, We find this in Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.” Exodus 34:6 says, “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth." The psalmist echoed this in Psalm 86:15, “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 33:4 declares, “For the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth." Psalm 119:151 says, “Thou art near, O Lord; and all Thy commandments are truth.” Psalm 100:5 asserts, “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations." The Truth of God is abundant, and it will never be exhausted!

Ironically, it was Pontious Pilate who asked the question, "What is truth?" when he was in the presence of Jesus. He was questioning Jesus because He was being accused by the priests, and they wanted Jesus put to death. Pilate was the one who could order the execution of Jesus. Part of the conversation of Pilate and Jesus can be read in John 18:35-38, "Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee unto me: what hast Thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in Him no fault at all." After speaking with Jesus, Pilate knew He was innocent of any crime worthy of death. However, Pilate gave in to the pressure of the people and allowed Jesus to be beaten and crucified. Even though the embodiment of Truth stood before Pilate, Pilate did not stand for the Truth.

Jesus Christ very clearly identified what Truth is. In John 14:6, He proclaimed, “...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” When Jesus prayed for the believers in John 17:17, He said, "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." How could Jesus say that He was the Truth and then turn around and say that God's Word is the Truth? The answer is found in the first chapter of John. In John 1:1-2 & 14, we read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." Since God's Word is Truth, and Jesus was the Word made flesh, that made Jesus the Truth. What an awesome thing to think about! John 1:17 states, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

The Lord preserves us by His Truth. Psalm 60:4 reads, “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah." Psalm 61:7 says,

“He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.”

Psalm 91:4 assures, “He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Psalm 145:18 encourages, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth."

The Lord guides us by Truth. Psalm 25:10 reads, “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies." Psalm 25:5 says, “Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day." Psalm 43:3 states, “O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles.” Jesus said in John 16:13, “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.”

God desires us to have Truth in our lives. Psalm 51:6 proclaims, “Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom." There are many verses in the book of Proverbs that speak of the importance of Truth. In John 4:23, Jesus says, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.”

Freedom comes by knowing the Truth. Jesus declares in John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”