You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). In Christianity we often lean toward applying this verse only in terms of scripture and religion – ie. referencing a true knowledge of the Bible, a true version of Christianity or true religion.
We tend not to consider that it applies to all other areas of our life in this world as well. While the context of the verse is about abiding in the word of Christ and believing in Him, as is often the case with biblical principles, it also works in our everyday existence outside of religion.
If we take a look in scripture, we see that truth is important to God and to His son Jesus Christ. It is who they are:
- Deut 32:4: “…A God of truth and without injustice…”
- Psalm 25:10: “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth”
- Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth”
- John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
- Rom 3:4: “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.”
- Titus 1:2: “A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time”
. We also see that God respects people of truth and wishes to be served in truth:
- 1 Sam 12:24: Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart…
- Psalm 15:1-2: “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;”
- Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth”
- Proverbs 29:14: “The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever”
- John 4:24: God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
When truth is important to us, we won’t stop searching until we get to the bottom of whatever it is we are looking into. Even if it engenders playing investigative journalist or independent researcher for awhile. And even if it means we may have to face up to hard facts and uncomfortable conclusions that we weren’t expecting. The truth could go against what we’ve been taught as children or acquired as adults. It could go against accepted norms including those of traditional Christianity or society in general. And it could cause us to be on the unpopular side of unlawful policy.
Whether it pertains to biblical understanding, church doctrines, news, laws, scientific and philosophical conclusions, health matters or secular policies in schools, business or government, truthful answers will set us free – ultimately. And to pursue truth and stand by it, we’re going to have to be willing to question and to be fearless. To be willing to deal with the consequences of learning and accepting what is true.
For instance, if we’re looking into diet and nutrition, the truths we learn will set us free to be physically healthier. Reflecting truth in this case may be as simple as filtering fluoride out of water, avoiding food chemicals, additives and GMOs, and eating more fruits and vegetables. Coming to understand that the food laws of the Old Testament are still valid, may be a little more complicated, but if it’s true, it’s truth.
In our search for truth, we may find that observance of the seventh day Sabbath and the Holy Days of Leviticus 23, which were observed by Jesus and the twelve apostles, are still to be observed today. Finding out this truth could cause us to lose a job, but give us the freedom to enjoy a day of rest and peace in Christ.
We might also conclude that Christmas, Easter and Halloween have very pagan origins so we shouldn’t be observing them – not even for fun. That could be hard on some relationships with families and friends, at least in the beginning, but free us for a deeper relationship with God and a better understanding and awareness of what He really wants and has planned for us. (1 Cor 2:7-10)
From the truth about abortion to the truths about climate change and coronavirus narratives, the truth can be hard to assimilate, but will set us free – free from fear and from bondage to unlawful agendas that generally go against God. Learning the truth behind certain organizations can also help us stay away from other evil and sinful situations and ideologies. The truth about public education programs, historical events, regimes and human governments can lead us to greater understanding about what is going on behind the scenes in the world around us and where it does or doesn’t fit into biblical prophecy. Sometimes the revelations will be hard to swallow. We will have to test and prove.
But the truth is always important and unfortunately lies are everywhere. Satan is, after all, the god of this current world and age (2 Cor 4:4) and he is also the father of untruths – lies (John 8:44).
Ultimately a love of the truth sets us free from the enslaving agendas of this world both on a physical and spiritual level. If fitting in, obeying, keeping a job or keeping our heads down is more important than a love of truth, we can be caught by deception, lies and even by a beast power to come. And God may let it happen if we don’t have a love of truth. We could end up not being as saved as we think we are.
“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thess 2:9-11).
