There is one question that I encourage my counselee’s to ask God when they are in a state of confusion. “Father what is the truth?” We live in a complex world with so many thoughts and passionate opinions. Can we trust our own mindset? In some cases I would say yes but in others I would say that we are not beyond being influenced by deception.
There are some scriptures that come to mind as I think about truth. One of the most quoted scriptures is that the truth will set you free. Jesus tells us in John, “I am the truth, the life and the way, no man comes unto the Father but by me.” Are we narrow minded if we think Jesus is the only way to relationship with God? The world would most definitely say yes to that question. Another scripture that comes to mind is again, Jesus words spoken in John 17:14-19. “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world I have sent them into the world. For them, I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” The word “sanctify” means set apart for a holy purpose. Jesus was definitely set apart for a holy purpose. His purpose was to pay the penalty for our sins through his death on the cross and to give us true life through his ressurection. What are you set apart for?
As I already said, we live in a complex world. It seems people are at odds with one another more than ever. Another scripture comes to mind from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” James 1:16 tells us, “Do not be deceived.” This begs to reason that we definitely can be deceived at times in our live. Deception is not easily detected. That is why I ask my counselee’s to practice this discipline. Asking the Father, “What’s the truth?” I Cor. 3:18 tells us, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written:”He catches the wise in their craftiness, and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” This scripture was given because the church was arguing over which leader was the best leader to follow.
Many times in the day we live we hear love lifted to the highest height of reason. Love is all that matters and that God is love. I Cor. 13 tells us, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” There is that word again. Truth. From this verse we have to ask ourselves the question, “What is evil?” The definition of this word has become like shifting sand in the world today. There is no time in this blog to discuss the word evil but God’s word gives us many examples.
Getting back to the word truth and the scripture I mentioned first is my final thought. Is Jesus the only way to God? Can we find God in other religions and teachings? Jesus says, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9. Hebrews 1:3 tells us, “The son is the radiance of God’s glory and the EXACT representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. V. 8, “Your throne,O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God has set you ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS by anointing you with the oil of joy. In the beginning Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, BUT YOU REMAIN; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
I’m so glad we don’t have to figure out what is the truth all on our own. John 16:13 tells us, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” May we not forget that the Holy Spirit lives in us and wants to guide us. Ask him, “What’s the truth?” He will never mislead you.
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