What Is Truth?

Many folks today are looking for the truth. But what is the truth? One person says this, while another person says that - and the two contradict one another. In these days of elections many promises are made in order to win votes. The sad part is that most politicians never intend to keep their promises. They are made strictly to swing the vote of the people. Candidates exalt themselves by tearing down their opponent with mud and lies. The truth is twisted and even concealed.

Jesus had to appear before Pilate after He was arrested. While there, Pilate questioned Jesus as to who He really was and His purpose in coming. Jesus answered, "I have come into this world to testify of the truth. And everyone who is of the truth hears everything I say." Pilate sarcastically responded, "What is truth?" and walked away.

It is amazing to me that standing before him was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Yet Pilate could not hear the voice of Truth, because he did not believe in Him. And even finding no guilt in Him, he walked away still searching.

Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8: 31 - 32) Notice Jesus spoke the preceding words to some Jewish folks who had just come to believe in Him. The key to knowing the truth is knowing Him and His Word. To know His Word is to hear and know what He says. Jesus speaks nothing but truth (because He is truth). Jesus said to the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders, "You don't understand what I say because you don't hear what I say." In other words, if they would believe in Him, then they would hear Him and understand the things He spoke - which is the truth.

Now...what is truth? I think this is a good question. I also think Jesus is eager to answer it for anyone who truly hungers and seeks the truth. From John 8: 31 - 32 the word in original Greek is Aletheia. Aletheia means: truth, as the unveiled reality lying at the basis of and agreeing with an appearance. This word also means: the reality pertaining to an appearance. Let me say it in plain English: The truth is the way things really are!  It's that simple. The way things really are.

The Words that Jesus speaks are the way things really are. This is truth. To abide in the Words of Jesus is to abide in the truth. One who abides in truth is not deceived by empty promises and lies from the enemy. One who abides in truth is free from the deception of the enemy. The key as Jesus said is to believe in and follow Him.

There was a time when much of what we did in this country was in some way anchored to the truth of God's Word. This was the standard of our conduct, the standard of how we raised our children, the standard of how we did business, and even the standard of how we served people in government. Now people are led to believe truth is relative. Relative? Relative to what? Whatever turns your crank! With no concrete "Godly" standard anything goes. The problem with this is there is more deception ruling people's lives than ever before.

If you're looking for something concrete. If you're looking for a solid standard that stands throughout all of time...look to Jesus. He said if you'll simply trust in and diligently follow after Him, you WILL know the truth...and the truth will set you free!