“What is truth?” This is the question Pilate asked of Jesus when He was brought to him (Jn. 18:38). Throughout the ages, people have searched for and inquired about the truth. Truth is that which is right, that which can be believed and accepted. The Bible helps define truth for us.
Jesus told His disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). We see some irony in Pilate’s question. He asked what was truth, yet had the one who was the embodiment of truth standing before him. Jesus told Pilate before his question, “for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (Jn. 18:37). Notice in each of these verses the singular nature of truth — “the truth.” There is only one truth, not different truths for different people, places, or times.
The word of God is truth. Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). The psalmist wrote, “the sum of Your word is truth” (Ps. 119:160). God has given us “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). So regarding things that fall into this category, we can only go to Christ and His word to find the truth.
Anything that conflicts with truth is a lie (2 Th. 2:10-11). Those who contradict Christ and God are liars (Rom. 3:4). Anything contrary to the word of God is error (1 Jn. 4:6). There is no gray area. When God’s word tells us something, that is the truth and must be believed.
The Unchanging Nature of Truth
Does truth change over time? Many believe that it does. One can look at the denominations of men to see this point. Over the years, many of these churches have changed their stands on various topics, depending on public opinion. We’ve seen changes in teaching on divorce, homosexuality, drinking alcohol, and other issues. But we should not be interested in what many, even the majority, believe. We need to be interested in what the Bible teaches.
Remember how truth is defined in Scripture — Jesus and the word of God (Jn. 14:6; 17:17). Jesus does not change. He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). The word of God does not change, rather it “endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:25). We noticed the words of the psalmist, “the sum of Your word is truth.” The second part of that verse says, “and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting” (Ps. 119:160). Truth does not change, whether it is on the subject of divorce, homosexuality, or anything else. We have no option but to accept the truth.
How Should We Value the Truth?
Proverbs 23:23 tells us, “Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding.” We are advised to buy the truth because of the value of it. From truth we get wisdom and understanding, which are better than gold, silver, and jewels (Pr. 3:13-15). If wisdom and understanding are of more value than these, then that which wisdom and understanding are derived from are more valuable as well.
As truth is defined in Scripture as Christ and the word of God, we should value truth just as we value these. Peter described Jesus and His blood as “precious” (1 Pet. 2:6-7; 1:19). The psalmist said the word of God was “more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb” (Ps. 19:10). We should value the truth more than anything we might find in the world.
How Should We Respond to the Truth?
Knowing the value we are to place on the truth, we must accept and believe it. Anything contrary to it is false and must be rejected. We need to accept the truth regardless of the consequences. We may have to admit being wrong or doing wrong in order to accept the truth. If we have done wrong, we must be willing to give up whatever sin is in our life, as some in Ephesus did when they burned their magic books (Acts 19:18-20). We may have to stand in opposition to those we love and respect (Mt. 10:34-37). Sometimes we will face persecution because we strive to follow the truth (2 Tim. 3:12). We must not sell the truth (Pr. 23:23), but rather hold on to it and practice it no matter what the cost.
The Standard of Judgment
We’ve seen how we should respond to the truth. But why should we respond in this way? What is there to motivate us to actually respond appropriately? The fate of our eternal soul depends upon our response to the truth. Jesus said, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day” (Jn. 12:48).
There is no need to wonder what we need to do to be rewarded by God at the judgment. He has given us what we need to know. His truth will not change. We must accept it, believe it, conform our lives to it and hold it fast as long as we live on the earth. If we do this, we will be rewarded. If we do not, we will be punished. The choice is yours. Will you “receive the love of the truth so as to be saved,” or reject it and choose to “believe what is false” (2 Th. 2:10-11)?
Andy Sochor