What is Truth?

Have you ever watched a courtroom drama on television? When the action eventually gets to the courtroom, the witnesses are sworn in with their right hand on the Bible and are asked, “Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

The aim of this swearing in process is to try to get to the truth of whatever the trial is about, so that a judgement can be made. And of course in the dramas, the bad guys ignore the oath and lie through their back teeth thinking that their lies will get them off the hook. But the bad guys always lose as the truth is uncovered.

These courtroom dramas are only fiction, but there is an underlying presumption in these dramas that relates to real life. It presumes that the witnesses actually know the truth.

Two thousand years ago Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38)

It’s a good question.

For many, it’s a bit like, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” That is, for them the truth is whatever they see or want it to be. In fact, there is a common expression often heard saying, “This is MY truth.”

But if everyone has their own version of the truth, is there any such thing as the REAL truth?

The truth should be an immovable standard against which all things can be measured. It’s not what you or I think is the truth, but is something that cannot be questioned or contradicted. It is reality, not perception. There is only one place to find that standard of truth.

The incontrovertible truth comes from God alone. As Jesus said:

“Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

This scripture was spoken by Jesus about His Father. He states that sanctification (holiness) can only be achieved by listening to the words of truth that proceed from the Father. We have the words of God’s truth written in the Bible.

This is the standard of truth that God has given to man for us to study, learn, and grow. When we find the fullness of His truth, we find life in Jesus Christ.

Call to Action:

Are you listening to God’s truth or some version of your own truth? There is life and freedom in God’s truth so pray about it and seek it diligently.