The couple with whom I spoke were broken, absolutely devastated by allegations of abuse of their children. He was free on bail, the authorities had custody of their children. The newspaper had reported their arrest and charges with shocking and sensational words. As I talked with them, my heart was torn by their grief, and I wondered, "What are the facts in this case? How did it come to this?"
Truth, what is it? The word is fairly easy to define - the actual state of a matter, conformity with fact, honesty. Living truthfully is much more difficult. In a complex world the 'truth' is often buried beneath layers of shading, spin, and even outright lies. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the Presidential politics that have been everywhere around us. Candidate A declares that Candidate B took a certain position on a critical issue. Candidate B replies that his words are being quoted out of context and that he didn't really take 'that' position, but one similar to it, and we are left to wonder, what is the truth?
You and I cannot control the veracity of others, but we can commit ourselves to living truthfully. The best place to start seeking the truth is with ourselves! Admitting to the reality of certain attitudes or thoughts, acknowledging that we are tempted in certain ways, dealing with the things we would like not to be true, is a huge challenge. When I see that balding, somewhat over-weight, middle-aged man staring back at me in the mirror every morning I'm tempted to refine reality! My mind is tempted to superimpose the image of an energetic 30-something man. I'd be foolish to allow myself to pretend to be 2 decades younger than I really am! Even more seriously, it is hard, when I am before the Lord, to acknowledge the realities of my sinful nature that the Spirit brings before me. When He says, "Jerry, this attitude or this action must change," many times I would rather excuse it or deny it, than deal with it. James tells us that the key to living in freedom is living in the truth. "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:23-25, NIV)
In the gospel of John there are dozens of references to the 'truth.' Truth is declared to make us free, to sanctify (make acceptable to a perfect God) us, and to allow us to live 'in the Light.' Believing what God says, receiving the gifts He gives us, is tremendously empowering.
Jesus said, "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you." (John 8:31-32, The Message)
In another passage, He says, "he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." (John 3:21, NKJV) Interesting statement isn't it? "Does the truth." Truth is not abstract nor is it merely philosophical. We can live it!
In yet another passage, Jesus promises that God will do a miraculous work in our lives with the Truth: "Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth." (John 17:17-19, NLT) When we Believe in He who is Truth personified, Jesus Christ, and we surrender our lives to Him, a transformation begins to happen in our minds and hearts. We reject deception, serving an image, the lies of the Evil one and become holy, shaped by the truth.
Friend, do you love the truth?
Is your life characterized by honesty, authenticity?
Do you refuse to play games with yourself and others?
Living in that way will not necessarily win any popularity contests. Jesus confronted the world with the truth and they killed Him for it! But, living in the truth and letting truth shape your life from the inside out will make you whole and holy, a person who conquers temptation and pleases God. Look for even the smallest kinds of bending the truth in your life and ask God to give you the courage and strength to get it right.
Here's a word from the Word for your thoughts today:
"Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." (Matthew 5:37, NKJV)
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