What is Truth?

Quick answer

Truth is not just an idea—it is reality itself, rooted in God, who is the ultimate source of all that is true. The truth sets us free and guards us from the deception of lies.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible associates truth with God and indicates that God’s word is truth (Psalm 25:5, 119:160; John 14:6). Satan, by contrast, is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Early in human history, Satan lied about God in deceiving Adam and Eve to sin, which led to the fall of creation (Genesis 3). God expects His followers to be truthful. In fact, in the part of the Mosaic Law commonly called the Ten Commandments, God forbids lying (Exodus 20:16). Jesus identified Himself as “the way, and the truth, and the life” and told His disciples of the freedom that could be found as His followers, those who love the truth (John 14:6, 8:31-32). Those who love the Lord will love the truth.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

The ninth of the ten commandments says, ““You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).

David pleaded with God, “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation” (Psalm 25:5). While the world can lead us astray, God is our source of truth.

Those who love God, love truth. Through the prophet Zechariah, God promised His people prosperity if they would live according to His ways, which includes being truthful: “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord” (Zechariah 8:16-17).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Jesus made it clear that His word is truth and will liberate His followers: “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31-32).

Jesus identified Himself as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The only proper response is to follow Him.

Jesus told Pilate that He had come into the world to “bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). Pilate replied, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Pilate didn’t truly know Jesus, so He couldn’t recognize truth.

On the other hand, those who reject truth will reject Jesus, as many of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day did. Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). When we lie, we are following Satan, not Christ.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Water is two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. It boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit and freezes at 32 degrees. Almost three-quarters of the earth is covered with it.

Those are truths about water, and thinking about them helps to define what truth is: Something that corresponds to reality. Some people deny that truth exists . . . which is a self-refuting statement, because who is to say their statement is true?

Today, some qualify “truth” with “my” or “your,” a postmodern attempt to redefine “truth” to feelings and preferences. But there is only the truth, of which God is the source. In fact, Jesus referred to Himself as “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In an increasingly relativistic society, Christians cannot capitulate to the world on that point. If we do, we align ourselves with the “father of lies,” Satan (John 8:44).

The God of the Bible is real, He sent His Son to die for us, and one day, those who put their faith in Him, will glorify God for eternity. This is the truth that we must continue sharing with a world that desperately needs it.

UNDERSTAND

Truth comes from God.

Jesus is the ultimate truth.

Christians are called to live by truth.

REFLECT

How do you recognize when something is true?

In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on truth for guidance and freedom?

How committed are you to living in a way that reflects God’s truth instead of worldly deception?

ENGAGE

What has God given us to help determine what is true?

How can we help each other discern the truth in a culture filled with lies?

What practical steps can we take to encourage living according to God’s truth?