Powerful Biblical Facts About Truth in a World Living “My Truth”
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Today, you might often hear people talk about “my truth,” suggesting that everyone can have their own version of reality. This idea, which is becoming more popular, implies that truth is flexible and can change depending on personal beliefs. However, when we look at the facts about truth from a biblical perspective, we see a different story.
The Scriptures and teachings from sages reveal that truth is not just a personal opinion but a solid, unchanging reality rooted in God’s character and His Word. Understanding these facts about truth helps us see that it stands firm, independent of individual perspectives or societal trends.
What Does the Bible Say About Truth?
In the Bible, truth is more than just some concept or a philosophical idea; it is a profound reality deeply connected to the very essence of who God is. The Bible emphasizes that truth is absolute and unchanging, unlike the subjective “my truth” we hear about so often in modern society. Let’s take a deeper look at the biblical perspective on truth.
Truth as an Attribute of God
Throughout the Bible, truth is fundamentally linked to God’s character. God is described as being completely truthful and faithful in all His ways. This is evident in several key passages:
- Deuteronomy 32:4: “The Rock—His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without iniquity, righteous and upright is He.” (TLV) This verse highlights that God’s actions are always just and true. His faithfulness and His righteousness are perfect, stressing that truth is an essential part of who He is.
- Psalm 33:4: “For the word of Adonai is upright and all His work is done in faithfulness.” (TLV) Here, the Psalmist is demonstrating that everything God does is grounded in truth and integrity. His words and His deeds are a reliable foundations on which we can build our lives.
Truth in the Old Testament (Tanakh)
The Old Testament is filled with passages that stress the significance of truth.
For example:
- Psalm 119:160: “The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous rulings endure forever.” (TLV) This verse emphasizes that every word of God is true and reliable. The psalmist points out that God’s commandments and judgments are enduring and trustworthy, providing a stable foundation for life.
- Proverbs 12:19: “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” (TLV) In Proverbs, truth is portrayed as enduring and everlasting, while lies are temporary and fleeting. This highlights the lasting nature of truth and its importance in God’s eyes.
Truth in the Teachings of Yeshua (Jesus)
Yeshua is central to the biblical understanding of truth. He not only spoke about truth but He identified Himself as the embodiment of it:
- John 14:6: “Yeshua said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (TLV) In this powerful statement, Yeshua equates Himself with truth. Truth is personified in Yeshua, making it clear that truth is not just an abstract principle but is found in a relationship with Him.
- John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (TLV) This verse speaks about Yeshua as the Word made flesh, full of grace and truth. It shows that Yeshua’s life and ministry perfectly represent God’s truth, giving us a clear and living example of what it means to walk in truth.
Truth in the Apostolic Writings (New Testament)
The Apostolic Writings continue to confirm the absolute nature of truth and its importance for believers:
- Ephesians 4:15: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all ways into Messiah, who is the Head.” (TLV) Paul encourages the Ephesians to speak the truth lovingly, indicating that truth and love are interconnected. Growth in faith involves a commitment to both.
- 1 John 3:18: “Children, let us not love with word or talk, but in deed and truth.” (TLV) This verse urges believers to express their love through actions that are grounded in truth, reinforcing that genuine love and truth are inseparable.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers into all truth. Yeshua promised His followers that the Spirit would help them understand and live out the truth; not THEIR truth but THE truth:
- John 16:13: “But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears He will tell you, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” (TLV) The Holy Spirit is described as the Spirit of truth, whose mission is to lead believers into a deeper understanding and application of God’s truth in their lives.
Truth in the Talmud
The Talmud, a central text in Jewish tradition, also speaks about truth in profound ways. Here are a few insights:
- Truth as God’s Seal: In Shabbat 55a, the Talmud says, “The seal of the Holy One, blessed be He, is truth.” This means that truth is a defining characteristic of God. Just like a seal authenticates a document, truth authenticates God’s actions and character.
- Truth in Justice: In Sanhedrin 32b, the Talmud emphasizes that justice should always be based on truth. Judges must seek the truth and avoid any falsehood or bias, underscoring how crucial truth is in maintaining fairness and righteousness.
- The Pursuit of Truth: In Eruvin 13b, the Talmud recounts the famous debates between the schools of Hillel and Shammai. Both schools’ teachings were revered and described as “the words of the living God.” However, the law ultimately sided with the school of Hillel. This decision was not based solely on the content of their arguments but also on their approach. Hillel’s followers were known for their humility and respect; they not only stated their own opinions but also gave serious consideration to the views of Shammai. This example illustrates that in our quest for truth, it’s essential to approach differing viewpoints with respect and an open mind. True understanding is enriched by considering multiple perspectives with grace and humility.
Living in Truth
Understanding biblical facts about truth is crucial for living a life that aligns with God’s will. The Scriptures call us to embody truth in our actions, relationships, and speech. Truth is not just something to believe in but something to live out daily. By embracing biblical truth, we build our lives on a foundation that is secure, enduring, and reflects God’s nature.
The Idea of “My Truth”
The phrase “my truth” suggests that each person can have their own version of reality that is just as valid as anyone else’s. While it’s important to respect different experiences and viewpoints, equating these with truth can lead to problems.
Take the story of Pilate questioning Yeshua (Jesus) as an example:
“Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’”
John 18:38, TLV
This question shows Pilate’s confusion and doubt about what is real and what is true. Earlier, Yeshua had said:
“For this reason I was born and for this reason I came into the world, so that I might testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
John 18:37, TLV
Here, Yeshua is saying that truth isn’t just a concept but is embodied in Him. As I mentioned earlier, Yeshua clearly stated:
“…‘I am the way, the truth, and the life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
John 14:6, TLV
By declaring Himself as the truth, Yeshua makes it clear that truth is absolute and not relative. It doesn’t change from person to person.
The Problem with “My Truth”
When people talk about living “my truth,” they often mean living according to their personal beliefs or feelings. These are important and valid as experiences, but they do not necessarily line up with objective reality.
Imagine if someone said, “My truth is that the law of gravity doesn’t exist.” If they jumped off a building, they would still fall and hit the ground because the truth about gravity doesn’t care what feelings or opinions we have. Truth in this regard is truth regardless of what you think of it. Truth doesn’t bend to our desires or opinions; it remains constant.
Feelings and opinions are fickle. They change all of the time! If I looked at my opinions and feelings from 10 years ago they would be very different than today! They change. WE change!
BUT…in Hebrews, it says:
“Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8, TLV
Just like Yeshua’s character doesn’t change, the truth doesn’t either. It’s firm and reliable, no matter what society or individuals might believe.
The Dangers of Subjective Truth
Believing that each person’s “truth” is equally valid can lead to confusion, especially in moral and ethical areas. The Bible warns about this:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who exchange darkness for light and light for darkness, who exchange bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
Isaiah 5:20, TLV
This verse warns against mixing up right and wrong. When everyone’s personal truth is given the same weight, it can make it hard to know what is truly good or bad. Whose opinion do you follow? This can be so incredibly dangerous for a society to allow everyone to have their own truth!
Embracing Biblical Facts About Truth
As believers, we are called to live by the truth found in the Scriptures. This means aligning our lives with God’s Word and accepting that truth is not something we create but something we discover and follow. Paul encourages us in Ephesians:
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, ‘each one is to speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.”
Ephesians 4:25, TLV
We should live honestly and with integrity, building a community based on the solid foundation of God’s truth.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and yet it did not fall, for its foundation had been built on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Matthew 7:24-27 TLV
Living in the Light of Truth
Knowing the truth isn’t just about taking the truth and molding it to fit our ideals; it’s about letting that truth transform our lives. Yeshua taught that knowing the truth would set us free:
“Then Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted Him, ‘If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!’”
John 8:31-32, TLV
Living in truth frees us from the traps of sin and deception. It helps us live in a way that reflects God’s righteousness.
The Unchanging Nature of Truth
In a world where “my truth” often replaces “the truth,” it’s important to remember the solid, unchanging truth found in the Bible. Truth, as presented in the Scriptures, is not relative but absolute, grounded in God’s unchanging character and the person of Yeshua.
By rejecting the idea that truth is something we can shape and instead embracing the biblical standard, we can live with clarity and confidence, guided by the eternal truth of God’s Word.
As we go through our lives, let’s hold on to these solid facts about truth, allowing them to guide our thoughts, actions, and our relationships. As we do this, we not only honor God but also contribute to a world that reflects His glory and righteousness.
Tree of Life (TLV) – Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.