Truth is from God: The Bible uses the word truth to describe different aspects of reality as well as what is true in general. The most basic way to understand truth is that truth is what is. Truth is reality and what exists. If it does not exist, it is not true. Truth is the reality God has designed, created, and defined, and over which He rules. Truth is the self-expression of God. Truth lives and breathes in the very essence of God.
Truth is structure: Truth frames and shapes all of creation. In the beginning, God laid the foundation of the earth (Psalm 102:25, Hebrews 1:10). The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1Timothy 3:15). God’s solid foundation stands firm. Truth provides structure, direction, and integrity. “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Truth is a framework and gives us guidance of how to live our lives. Truth is necessary for growing up in the image of God. As we passionately seek truth in our “inner being”, we learn to hate what He hates and loves what He loves.
Truth is relational: We are to not just know truth, we are to experience it. Believing or knowing the truth is a process of understanding who God is and how we relate to Him and others. God is called “the God of truth” (Psalm 31:5). Jesus calls himself the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit is also called the truth (1John 5:6). This illustrates the deeply personal and relational nature of truth. Since truth is part of God’s nature and because we are made in His image, truth is a deep part of the heart and who we are: “Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place” (Psalm 51:6). Truth is more than a set of facts and rules. Truth not only points out our wrong and corrects us; it brings relational healing as well, because truth is a person who lovingly cares for us. Our tendency is to hide the “unsafe” parts of us that are undeveloped. The heart is deceitful but truth reveals the motive behind the action, attitude, and feeling. Truth brings awareness. It exposes us for what we really are. The truth we believe leads to change and growth in our relationship with God.
Truth is the path of life: To change, grow, and mature, people need a guide, and a light to follow: “Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me, let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell” (Psalm 43:3). Truth enables the grower to develop and complete the steps that cultivates maturity, discipline, responsibility and stability. Truth provides guidance of how to live our lives. Truth defines what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is not good. Truth is a necessary for growing up in the image of God. Truth leads us to God: “I am the way, and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Truth is the path of life: “I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws” (Psalm 119:30). Without Godly wisdom and understanding, our knowledge or what we think and feel is limited to our experience and that shapes our perceptions, opinions and attitudes.
Spiritual growth is the result of practicing the truth you receive from God. He wants you to give away what He gives you--that is, by loving and serving others and sharing the truth of the gospel. Examine your preconceptions about truth. Do you experience truth as critical and condemning? Renew your approach to truth as a design by God, path of life, and as your friend.
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