š§ What Is Truth and How Can We Know It?
A Christian Perspective on Absolute Truth in a Confused World
š Introduction: A Question for the Ages
What is truth?
Itās a question that echoes across timeāfrom Pilate’s courtroom in Jerusalem (John 18:38) to todayās college classrooms, comment sections, and coffee shop conversations. In a world flooded with opinions, platforms, and personal truths, it can feel like real truth is out of reachāor worse, doesnāt even exist.
But for Christians, truth isnāt a riddle or a moving target.
Truth is a person.
āØ Truth Defined: Jesus Is the Truth
When Jesus said, āI am the way, the truth, and the lifeā (John 14:6), He didnāt just claim to teach truthāHe claimed to be truth. In the Christian worldview, truth is not relative or invented. It flows from the very character of Godāeternal, unchanging, and holy.
“Truth is not just a proposition we accept. It is a person we follow.” ā Tim Keller
Jesus doesnāt just speak truth. He embodies it. Every word, action, and teaching of Christ reveals what truth really isāgood, faithful, consistent, and life-giving.
š What the Bible Says About Truth
šļø 1. Godās Word Is Truth
āSanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.ā ā John 17:17
Scripture is not just trueāit is truth. Itās the gold standard against which all claims must be measured.
šŖ 2. The Truth Sets Us Free
āThen you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.ā ā John 8:32
Truth isnāt just informativeāitās transformative. It frees us from sin, lies, fear, and spiritual blindness.
š 3. Truth Is Revealed Through Jesus
āThe Word became flesh and made his dwelling among usā¦ full of grace and truth.ā ā John 1:14
Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of truth in human form. Through Him, we see God’s truth lived out in love and power.
š§ Analysis: What Is Truth, Really?
š Truth Is Objective, Not Subjective
Truth doesn’t bend to feelings or cultural trends. Christians believe that truth exists outside of usāit is not something we create, but something we discover in Godās Word.
āAll truth is Godās truth.ā ā St. Augustine
š Truth Is Knowable
The Bible teaches that we can know the truth because God wants to be known. Heās not hiding in the shadowsāHe has revealed Himself through creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ.
- āThe heavens declare the glory of Godā¦ā (Psalm 19:1)
- āā¦what may be known about God is plain to themā¦ā (Romans 1:19)
šļø Truth Is Revealed Spiritually
The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to Godās truth. Without Him, we miss the deeper meaning behind Scripture and life itself.
āWhen the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.ā ā John 16:13
š Christianity vs. Modern Views of Truth
| Modern Culture Saysā¦ | Christianity Saysā¦ |
|---|---|
| Truth is personal | Truth is revealed by God |
| Truth is relative | Truth is absolute |
| Truth changes | Truth is unchanging |
| Truth is unknowable | Truth is revealed in Christ |
| āLive your truthā | āWalk in Godās truthā |
š¤ļø How Can We Know the Truth?
š 1. Through Scripture
The Bible is the final authority for Christians. It is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) and entirely trustworthy.
āļø 2. Through Jesus Christ
Jesus is the full revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1ā3). Knowing Him is knowing the heart of God and the truth about ourselves and the world.
š„ 3. Through the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit helps us discern truth, teaches us God’s ways, and convicts us when we stray.
š 4. Through Creation and Conscience
Even those who havenāt read the Bible have access to general truths through the world around them and the moral compass within.
š” Why Truth Matters Today
In an age of half-truths, spin, and fake news, itās more important than ever to anchor ourselves in something solid. Hereās why Christian truth matters:
šļø 1. It Frees Us
Jesus didnāt say ātruth will burden you.ā He said it would set you freeāfrom sin, shame, and spiritual confusion.
š§ 2. It Guides Our Morality
Without truth, weāre left to make up our own moral standards. Godās truth gives us a firm foundation for justice, mercy, and righteousness.
āļø 3. It Protects Us from Deception
The devil is the āfather of liesā (John 8:44). Knowing Godās truth helps us resist deception and walk in light.
ā¤ļø 4. It Leads to Eternal Life
Believing the truth about Jesus Christ isnāt just intellectually satisfyingāitās eternally crucial.
āWhoever believes in the Son has eternal lifeā¦ā ā John 3:36
šŖ Living in Truth: A Call to Action
So how do we walk in truth in our daily lives?
- Read and reflect on Scripture daily. Donāt rely on culture to define your beliefs.
- Test everything against Godās Word. Even church teachings or popular ideas must align with Scripture.
- Pursue truth humbly. Truth isnāt a hammerāitās a light. Use it to guide, not to wound.
- Follow Jesus closely. He is the Truth, and walking with Him leads to wisdom, grace, and joy.
š£ Final Thought: Pilate’s Question Revisited
When Pilate asked Jesus, āWhat is truth?ā (John 18:38), he didnāt wait for an answer. Many today do the sameāask the question, then walk away. But for those who lingerā¦ those who seekā¦ those who are willing to listenā¦ truth speaks.
And truth has a name: Jesus Christ.
āI am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.ā ā John 14:6
š References
- Holy Bible, ESV / NIV / KJV
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
- Timothy Keller, The Reason for God
- R.C. Sproul, Defending Your Faith
- Francis Schaeffer, He Is There and He Is Not Silent
š Published by Mountain Veteran Ministries
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