What Is THE Truth?
My Truth vs. The Truth … What Does The Word of God Have to Say? … An Expose’
by Rita Ogada | Contributing Writer | Eternal Affairs Media
What Does The Phrase “My Truth” Mean?
According to the urban dictionary, “my truth” is defined as a “pretentious substitute for “non-negotiable personal opinion”. Meaning, it is something you cannot oppose. It’s a convenient truth favoring only the owner of this “truth”. It is a one-sided situation, a one-sided opinion.
The dictionary further elaborates that academically, the phrase is often used as a defensive mechanism to avoid arguments and keep people from contradicting “your truth”.
It’s used to justify personal opinions including those that are controversial or false.
From these definitions, we can see that “My Truth” is a self-centered truth with an individualistic perception. This doesn’t match up with Godly or Biblical principles which surpass human standards.
In the current information age, knowledge multiplies every single day driving many Christians into the “My Truth Gospel” which misleads them.
So what is this Truth that every Christian needs to know and ground their salvation in so as to live a godly life in this world?
What GOD Says About “The Truth”
The Truth that God speaks is found in the Bible. The Bible emphasizes that Jesus is the Way, The Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit sent to act as a helper to believers, is the Spirit of Truth that testifies about Christ Jesus.
John 15:26
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me
The Holy Spirit residing in a Christian is able to gift the Christian discernment which gives one the ability to distinguish between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:6
We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
GOD Himself is trinity so every attribute mentioned about Christ Jesus or the Holy Spirit, is alluded to GOD as well.
In fact, GOD Himself is the Word, (John 1:1) and in John 17:17, the Word of GOD is the Word of Truth.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through Thy Truth, Thy Word is Truth.
Why “The Truth” is Powerful and Why You Should Rely on GOD’s Truth
From the definitions above, we can clearly see the concrete difference between “My Truth” and “The Truth”.
“My Truth” is usually based on a person’s perspective and is subject to bias favoring the person who insists that what he or she says is truth.
“The Truth” on the other hand has a common ground – a reference that’s not based on human perception, but from a higher authority and power. An impartial and unbiased truth – The Word of GOD.
GOD’s Truth does not also change as that of man. It’s not reliant on seasons and conditions that keep changing. It remains constant and endures throughout thousands of generations.
GOD’s truth is trustworthy and reliable. One can rest in GOD’s promises, unwavering in faith, believing that GOD will do what He says.
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Why You Can’t Rely on Your Truth
Your Truth is Illogical With No Firm Ground
Ever heard of the phrase “words create worlds”? Leaders commonly use this phrase in meetings emphasizing the impact of what you speak. Words can either build up or tear down.
Suppose each person comes with their own opinions and each firmly believes their say is the truth. Imagine the kind of chaos that would ensue in the meeting. The meeting would probably end with more problems than solutions.
That’s why leaders emphasize the importance of “One source of Truth”. The truth that’s backed up with facts, written records and past results that easily act as a reference whenever needed.
People have different opinions and air them out, but the one truth that acts as the foundation will always stand out.
The same is true for Christians or believers in Christ. Dwelling on one truth, which is the Word of GOD, builds up unity in the body of Christ.
Having the foundation of the Word of GOD will bring about harmony in sermons, church seminars as well as counseling sessions.
Your Truth is Not Biblical
Maturity in Christianity is when you desire GOD’s truth and not relying on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
As mentioned earlier, personal truths are purely based on an individual’s perception and are subject to bias.
Basing a “spiritual” truth on personal verdict is completely unspiritual as matters of the Spirit cannot be perceived by the flesh. However intelligent a person may be, the human brain can never perceive matters of the Spirit without a revelation from GOD.
The fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden happened due to the desire to have wisdom just like GOD. The feeling that that which GOD provides is not enough was the beginning of the fall. The result was a trap that caused man to disobey God and hence become mortal, doomed to die and return to dust from which he was created.
Ever since this fall, evil has immensely multiplied to the extent the earth is no longer a comfortable place to live.
One can never rely on their own truth. The Word of GOD is readily available for every believer in Christ – to guide him or her in all paths of Truth. It’s therefore important to stay vigilant of the devil’s tactics which is to induce doubt in the heart of man. To make him lose faith in GOD and act of his own will which in the end leads to destruction.
There is Only One Source Of Truth
As mentioned earlier, leaders prefer the one source of truth, for instance, in a meeting where everyone has different solutions concerning a problem.
The same applies for Christians. The Bible is the one source of truth that guides them in the way of righteousness and eventually leads into the Kingdom of GOD. Deviating from Biblical truth yields confusion and strife in the body of Christ which is not good.
Sadly, in the present-day church, you can see divisions and strife plaguing the brethren in Christ. This has become a breeding ground for gossip, slander, hatred and resentment in the body of Christ.
When a believer deliberately picks what to believe and what not to believe in the Bible, then that marks the beginning of the downfall of a church. However, if this vile is rightly rebuked, then truth will be restored and the fellowship of brethren will continue in harmony.
The World’s Expectations About “The Truth”
In the current generation, there’s an ever-growing pressure to succumb to societal expectations and Christians are unfortunately not spared. They’re constantly influenced to adopt the world’s perception of how things should look like.
The world has managed to convince the church that embracing acceptance is the new norm and some once-obvious societal vices and abominations shouldn’t be condemned. How outrageous?
In the process, the church has compromised Biblical truths that have upheld the morals of the society for thousands of years.
For example, endorsing the LGBTQ community, even in the church, yet the Bible is very clear concerning people who’ve chosen this way. (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27). It’s surprising how this fact now seems a “sensitive” matter yet not more than 20 years ago, it was an evil never to be heard of – including a rumor or a hint of it.
This is an example of how perception has deceived mankind into believing what he thinks and feels is okay even if it strongly compromises Biblical Truth. Sad.
The LORD always has the best interest at heart for each and every person born into this world. The devil entices mankind into believing they can do things their own way and still get the best out of it.
The enemy lies to Christians to that living within Biblical boundaries is limiting and not fun. Many people who’ve chosen this way have ended up enslaved by their own desires and sinful nature, which is against GOD’s will.
Godly standards are not meant to keep us from living the full life we desire, but to protect us from potential harm that comes as a result of too much freedom.
1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. [KJV]
The New Living Translation brings it out more clearly:
1 Corinthians 6:12
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. [NLT]
A Mixture of “The Truth” and a Little “My Truth” Breeds Deception
The one thing Christians need to understand is that when they incorporate their own truths into the Word of GOD, they are the ones who lose. They become like the lukewarm church the LORD rebuked in Revelation 3:14-20. A mixture of both yields more darkness which further blinds the believer from seeing the real truth.
There’s a need to stay vigilant of worldly truth which easily corrupts and is many times hard to overcome. Holiness is not contagious but sin is.
Haggai 2:12-14
“If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?” ’ ”
Then the priests answered and said, “No.”
And Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?”
So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.”
From this scripture, we can deduce how important it is to separate from the world which easily corrupts the heart of man. It all begins with what we feed into our minds. The programs we watch on Television, what we read, what we hear in daily conversations, etc.
Jesus said that that which defiles a man doesn’t come from what they eat, but rather from within (the heart)
Mark 7:20-23
He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
The Bible is clear on how to guard our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23) from the world that corrupts. First, is through separation, (1 Corinthians 6:16-17) and second, through diligent study of the Word of GOD (Psalm 1:1-2). Only by doing so can one retain the unadulterated absolute truth in the heart.
The Absolute Truth That GOD Ordains
The absolute truth that GOD ordains and fully approves is the Bible. The Kings of old and prophets highly praised the absolute nature of the Word of GOD.
The Psalmist, King David repeatedly rejoices in the Law and statues of GOD that bring life and comfort to His Soul (Psalm 119). He became well-known as the man after GOD’s own heart because He constantly sought the LORD and deeply meditated on His Word.
The prophet Jeremiah described the Word of GOD as a joy and delight to his heart (Jeremiah 15:16).
Many other prophets and well-renowned men and women in the Bible endorsed the Word of GOD as the truth ordained by GOD.
The end of the matter is to embrace The Truth and not “My Truth” that easily deceives and makes one unstable in their ways.
To hold the Word of GOD at heart is to embrace The Truth which brings real freedom and yields eternal life to the beholder.
John 8:31-32
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
