Truth 4

My wife had a dear friend who was very close to her. This friend even moved into our neighborhood to be close by. The two worked at the same company for many years, and were quite transparent with each other concerning their personal lives, challenges, and difficulties they were facing on their jobs.

Years passed, and the friend was stricken with a sudden illness that ended her life. My wife was devastated with her loss, but rejoiced that her friend with in heaven with her Lord and Savior.

For many years, the late friend had said she was older than her husband, but left the impression it was just a few years difference. However, when my wife read the obituary, she was incredulous to learn her friend was nearly 20 years older than her husband.

I realize, many women want to keep their age a secret, especially as they get older, but it would seem most would share their true age with a close friend. This friend probably kept her age a secret to not wanting to be criticized by others (even my wife).

No one wants to be deceived, fooled or misled. No one wants to be seduced by criminals or scammers. We all want to know we are dealing with someone who is speaking and representing the truth.

So, there are absolutes when it comes to right and wrong, good and evil, righteous or unrighteous. There are no gray areas when you are the victim of a scam.

The same is true with God and His word. There are absolute truths that He will hold us all to when we stand before Him. He is merciful and gracious, yet must be just in His dealings with mankind. That means there must be a standard in which He will judge the world. It cannot be wishy, washy or subjective. His standard must be clear, consistent, and just.

There is only one standard that will never change. It cannot be altered or replaced by a populace vote or referendum. That standard is God’s word, and He honors it above His name (Psalm 138:2).

God’s word is truth. The apostle Paul boldly affirmed…

“let God be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)

The apostle Peter writing to the believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, said…

22) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23) having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever…. Peter 1:22-23 

Corrupt Minded People Reject the Truth

“…useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” 1 Timothy 6:5 

Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 2 Timothy 3:8 

There is a growing wave of this type of mindset in our society. It makes the world an increasingly more dangerous place to live, and requires us to be diligent in digging into God’s word, and holding onto the truth.

This requires us to search or own hearts to see if we love the truth or avoid it when it makes us uncomfortable and threatens our status quo.

That is why the Pharisees and religious leaders hated Jesus and wanted to eliminate Him. He told the truth and uncovered their hypocrisy. They did not want to repent of their deceptive ways, so they schemed to destroy Him. However, we know Truth prevailed and Jesus conquered death and hell and rose victoriously from the grave to be seated at the right hand of the Father as King of Kings, and Lord of lords forever.

Itchy Ear Believers

As we close this series, let us be discerning and not led away from the truth by a watered-down gospel that is powerless to challenge and change us. Paul warned about his type of lip service believer, and user-friendly gospel when he wrote to Timothy.

 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. 3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4) and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Finally, Jesus prayed to the Father for us all to be sanctified (consecrated and set aside) by the truth.

And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 17:19 

Let us endeavor to always love and embrace the truth, even when it confronts us and our paradigm. God has promised to give the Spirit of Truth to those who obey, believe, thirst, and ask (Luke 11:13; John 7:37-39; 15:26; Acts 5:32). He, the Spirit of Truth, will guide us into all truth (John 16:23) as we walk with Him and honor His leading.

We have only scraped the surface on this topic, but hopefully you will dive into it more in your own Bible study.

New subject next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.

James Brown

CST 10/24/2025