What is Truth?

What is truth and how can we know if our belief systems, our ideologies, our philosophies; our opinions, our culture and our behavior in life is rooted and sourced in truth?
Is truth subjective or is it absolute? Is there such a thing as “my truth” and “your truth”?
Do people always welcome and accept the truth, or do they sometimes reject and oppose the truth?

Let’s imagine that a certain man murders his wife in their home. He is arrested as the main suspect and arraigned in court for murder. In his own heart the man knows that he really did murder his wife but yet in court he pleads “not guilty” because he wants to avoid the terrible consequences of his actions.
So his lawyer defends the man and argues all kinds of reasons to sow doubt that the man did not kill his wife but that someone else is the murderer and not the husband.
Unfortunately due to lack of sufficient evidence and no witnesses, the man is released and set free.
So what exactly is the truth in this matter?
Even though the man pleaded “not guilty” and was set free by the legal system, it does not change the truth that the man did in actual fact kill his own wife.
Even though the legal system and the judge presiding the trial were deceived by the man’s false testimonies and his lawyer’s skillful defense, the facts and reality that the man is actually a murderer do not change.
Even though the public opinion is divided about whether or not the man is a murderer, the reality or truth does not change that the man did actually kill his wife, despite the lack of sufficient evidence and lack of witnesses to prove it.
Even though the husband might pretend to others that he’s not a murderer, it does not change the truth or reality that he did murder his wife.

What is Truth?

Truth is defined as whatever corresponds with fact and reality. Truth is correct and accurate.
Truth does not change. Truth does not alter or transform based on our personal feelings, opinions or denials.
So even if we deny or oppose the truth – truth will not change because truth is grounded in reality and not in our opinions, feelings or perceptions.

Truth is not whatever the majority says it true. The truth is not whatever is culturally popular. In our sinful and fallen world, the truth is a reality that can be supported by a minority.

The truth is not what you believe it to be. For example, you can choose to believe that 1+1=3 but it does not change the reality that 1+1=2.

Truth is not what you feel it should be. Sometimes the truth can be a difficult pill to swallow. The truth may not always be pleasant to hear, especially when we oppose it.

Truth is not what you want it to be. We cannot alter the truth to fit our own personal beliefs or ideologies. There is no such thing as “my truth” and “your truth”. There is only God’s truth.

What Impact / Reaction does the Truth have on People?

People can suppress the truth because they enjoy their sins.
They suppress the truth in their own hearts because they fear that the truth will expose their unrighteousness. Romans 1:18 says: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

People will prefer to hear lies instead of the truth.
We live in a world where people deliberately prefer deception instead of the truth. Romans 1:25 speaks of people who “exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator”

People can become your enemy because you speak the truth.
There are people who actively oppose the truth because they have a wicked heart (2 Timothy 3:8)
In Galatians 4:16 Paul asks the Galatians who were following a false gospel: “Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

People can find freedom & repent because of the truth.
The truth can lead to joy, peace and liberation if it is welcomed. The purpose of the truth is to give us a true picture of reality. If we embrace the truth and accept it wholeheartedly, the truth will lead us to repentance and bring us closer to God.
Psalm 25:5 says: Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.

The Bible is the Source of Truth

For anything to be true, that truth must be grounded in a divine, holy and unchangeable foundation.
The Bible, the word of God is our ultimate source for moral and spiritual truth. Knowing the truth and applying truth in our lives will protect us from deception.

In John 17:17 Jesus prayed “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth”.

Psalm 119:60 says: The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.

John 8:31-32 says: 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.”

The Truth is a Person

Truth is also a Person. Jesus Christ is the personification of truth. Therefore truth is the very essence and nature of God.

In John 14:6 Jesus says: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 16:13 says: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”

1 John 5:20 says: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Ephesians 4:21 says: Assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus,

Conclusion

The truth cannot be separated from the word of God. The truth cannot be separated from the nature of God. In a world where there are many moral and spiritual debates, the real answer of what is truth is found in an eternal, unchanging and inerrant authority. Truth is found in God’s word; Truth is found through a relationship with the personification of truth – Jesus Christ.