ti-dingz blog
Truth
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4 (NIV)
Truth … It’s not easy to find, but people value it greatly. This is why we have gospel tracts dedicated to this topic.
Many claim to speak truth, but it only takes being deceived once for us to never look at a person again in the same light.
From that point on our attitude towards him or her is different; we become guarded. We find it hard to have a close bond with them. Every relationship needs trust.
What is the meaning of ‘truth’?
When I asked some primary school children the meaning of truth. One said, “It’s talking about the actual real thing that happened.”
Another said, “It’s about having faith in people.”
Then I asked how they would feel if they found out someone had been lying to them. They said things like, ‘betrayed’, ‘angry’, ‘sad’, and ‘you just don’t trust them anymore’.
Truth is sacred
Without truth there is no trust, and without trust there can be no peace. We often hear people say, “I just want to know the truth,” whether this is regarding a relationship, an illness, a missing person, a theft, or even murder.
We just want to know the facts about what really happened.
Truth sets us free
Although the truth is not always pleasant, the truth does set us free. Without it, it is hard to grieve, rejoice, or move on because the truth enables us to make decisions based on facts.
Truth is pure
Any slight divergence from absolute truth becomes a lie. Truth is pure. There is no variant measure. Once falsehood or deception enters a matter it has lost its purity.
When you take the colour white and add even the tiniest hint of black, the colour is immediately changed, it has become grey – it is no longer white.
No matter how much white we add, it will never again be pure white because it will always be a shade of grey.
Truth is very important to God
Jesus said, “I am … the truth” (John 14:6 NIV). His very essence is truth, and as the source of all truth, it emanates from His presence (John 1:14, 17; 14:6).
Jesus said He was a man who spoke the truth and that the reason He was born was to testify to the truth (John 8:40, 45, 46; 16:7; 18:23, 37).
Those who heard Him teach reported that He was a man of integrity who spoke the truth and was not influenced by others, regardless of their status (Matt. 22:16; Mark 12:14; Luke 20:21).
How important is truth to you?
Not only must we know the truth, but we must also live truthful lives. Truth is a Christian priority.
Jesus proclaimed, “He who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him” (John 7:18 NIV).
He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit was the ‘Spirit of truth’ (John 15:26). As the ‘Helper’, He was sent from the Father and would dwell within the believer to guide them into all truth (John 14:17; 16:13).
Walking in the truth is more than not telling lies
Walking in the truth means we have no intention of misleading or deceiving others. We have a willingness to provide all the facts and choose not to withhold information but disclose the whole truth.
If something needs to be a secret, or hidden we should ask why? Jesus said His children live in the light; therefore, we must live open and transparent lives.
Truth is having nothing to hide
Before Jesus’ crucifixion, He was brought before Pilate who questioned Him. In response, Jesus said He had spoken openly and had said nothing in secret (John 18:20). Everyone knew what He said and did. He had nothing to hide.
Truth is being ‘God conscience’
When we are ‘God conscience,’ we are aware that everything we say and do is ‘done in the sight of God’ (John 3:21). When we have been mindful about our words and deed we will not feel ashamed if they are made public because our conscience is clear.
Truth is not living in the grey
Later, during Pilates’ questioning, Jesus said He had come into the world to “testify to the truth” and that “everyone on the side of truth” would listen to Him (18:37 NIV).
Pilate responded, “What is truth?” (18:38 NIV). Like Pilate, we can have so many grey areas in our life that we lose our bearings and inevitably lose sight of truth. Then, when truth presents itself, we either do not recognise it or it has no appeal to us.
Pilate knew the truth – Jesus was not guilty. Three times he had said, “I find no basis for a charge against him” (John 18:38; 19:4, 6 NIV).
However, Pilate wanted to keep his position, so he handed Jesus over to be crucified.
On an earthly and humanistic level, Pilate sacrificed truth for personal gain, but the very core of the matter was that he sacrificed the Truth.
The apostle Paul instructs us, ‘Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him’ (Eph. 4:21 NLT), we ought to put off all falsehood and speak truthfully to one another (v 25).
Are you walking in truth?
If the lines of truth have become blurred and you have lost your way, reevaluate – don’t sacrifice truth to receive some transient gratification.
To do so will only take you deeper into turmoil. Instead, base your decision on the Truth and in doing so you will find great freedom and inner peace.
Share truth with others
If you want to tell others about the ‘Gospel of Truth’, see our ‘Truth’ gospel tracts for children, teens or adults.
We also have a range of other gospel tracts. Join us in sharing the Good News in print!
Blessings,
Deb and the ti-dingz team