What Is Truth?

Season 2 Episode 53 -- Over the centuries, in various ways, many people have asked the question, “What is truth?”  For some people, truth has become relative, instead of absolute.  For example, you might hear people say, “That may be true for you, but not for me.”  In the Bible, Jesus gives a clear answer to this question.  What is that answer?  Listen and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life, in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, and subscribe/follow it, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily (because having more followers raises the podcast higher in search results).
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

 Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.c

Transcript

Over the centuries, in various ways, many people have asked the question, “What is truth?”  In our current culture, many people continue to ask this question.  For some, truth has become relative, instead of absolute.  For example, you might hear people say, “That may be true for you, but not for me.”

This question of what is truth is even expressed in the Bible:

John 18:37-38a NASB  Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth [G225]. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."  (38)  Pilate *said to Him, "What is truth [G225]?" 

In the Bible, Jesus gives a clear answer to this question.  Note what Jesus says to His disciples:

John 16:13a NASB  "But when He, the Spirit of truth [G225], comes, He will guide you into all the truth [G225].

The Greek word in the verses above is G225 - alētheia (al-ay'-thi-a), which means “what is true in reality” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions). 

What is the significance of this?  The Greek word for “truth” is referring to “reality,” not “doctrine.” God is reminding us of the importance of the application of truth to the reality of our everyday lives.  If we simply accumulate biblical knowledge or doctrine without applying it to our lives, then it is true to us in theory only and not in reality.  

Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit (the “Spirit of truth”) will guide us into the reality of applied biblical truth, as evidenced in how we live our lives.  And we cannot have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, guiding us to this reality, without having a personal relationship with Jesus.

That is why I am starting to include in my quiet time journaling a step where I ask myself, “After reading this passage, how does this change how I think, act, and live?”  That is my way of helping myself to apply the truths I have just read.

I saw an example of this in the following familiar passage from the Christmas story:

Matthew 2:1-6 NASB  Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,  (2)  "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."  (3)  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  (4)  Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  (5)  They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:  (6)  'AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"

Notice that the chief priests and scribes of the Jewish people had the biblical knowledge to know where the Messiah would come from (Bethlehem).  Yet they did not seem to apply their knowledge to the reality of their everyday lives, and therefore did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  As one person has put it, they did not allow this truth to make the 18-inch journey from their heads to their hearts.

Let me repeat the big idea for today:

John 16:13a NASB  "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.

The Greek word for “truth” in this verse is referring to “reality,” not “doctrine.” God is reminding us of the importance of the application of truth to the reality of our everyday lives.  If we simply accumulate biblical knowledge or doctrine without applying it to our lives, then it is true to us in theory only and not in reality.  

Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit (the “Spirit of truth”) will guide us into the reality of applied biblical truth, as evidenced in how we live our lives.  And we cannot have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, guiding us to this reality, without having a personal relationship with Jesus.

As we head into the new year, I am renewing my commitment to apply biblical truth to my everyday life – to not merely accumulate biblical knowledge, but to make it a reality instead of just a theory.  

Will you join me in this journey -- to make biblical truth a reality in our lives, and not just theory or doctrine?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”