If you were to ask people to define truth some would say that truth is something that is true, factual, or certain. This is an appropriate understanding of what truth really is and would agree with Biblical principles. Now this does not mean that there are not matters of opinion in our lives, of course there are, but we need categorize those things as opinions not as truth. Truth is truth, and God and His Word are truth. Jesus says in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” These are the words of Jesus as He is praying to the Father. He wanted His people to be set apart by the truth. Notice that truth is singular, and also notice that God is the source. God and His Word are absolute truth, and the world that He created is filled with truth. But many people believe truth is relative and is not absolute, certain, or concrete. You hear people talking online and in person everyday about “their truth” or “my truth”. These kinds of conversations are had concerning a lot of subjects including God and His Word. This shows a viewpoint that, to them, truth is relative. But if truth is relative then how can you know anything? How can there be standards? How can you have laws? Truth has been sacrificed on the altar of profit and relevance and has been greatly impacted by a watered-down interpretation of what truth really is supposed to be. If truth is relative, then you are living in a world of intellectual anarchy, and that is not a world that I want to live in.
So, what are we going to do about this? Where can a person find truth, and when we find truth, what are we supposed to do with it? As we have already read in John 17:17, the Word of God is truth. This is what God has spoken and has been recorded in the Bible. His Word is truth because He is truth. He is the creator, the sustainer, and the giver of what is good (Genesis 1:1). He made the world and everything in it. He established truth in the things that He made, and He gave us the ultimate truth by giving us His Word. His Word has been tested and proven time and time again, but please do not just take my word for it. Read it, test it, and not only will you find truth, but you will find something that is always relevant and profitable. The wisdom of man tries to be relevant and profitable by distorting real truth, but the Word of God gives you what you need for this life and the life to come. (2 Peter 1:3)
As we see in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Word of God is God-breathed and is continually profitable, no matter what you are going through and no matter the stage of life you are in. Study His Word (2 Timothy 2:15). Let His Word work, and when it pierces through to your heart, please choose to obey His Word and follow the relevant and profitable truth that God provides (Hebrews 4:12).
Derek Broome