Happy Friday. It’s Nov. 18, 2022. This weekend, my message will be “What is Truth?” Truth has fallen on hard times in today’s society, and there is an all-out attempt to hide parts of it to take advantage of the situation. Even our secular universities are now redefining its meaning. So, what dictionary should we use to find the correct definition of “truth?” Do we use the common consensus of society? A philosophy teacher’s conclusion? What about Webster’s Dictionary or Wikipedia? Or should we come back to the eternal Word of God? You choose. Read on …
Today's Reading:
Psalms 124; 2 Corinthians 11,12,13
Scripture
“Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.” (2 Corinthians 13:7-8)
Observation
Here, we get a precious glimpse of Paul the Apostle’s heart. He had heard that there was strife and gossip among the Corinthians. Although he addresses the issue, he is still not 100% certain of the indictments. If the reports he had heard were accurate, Paul writes to challenge them toward righteousness. However, he hopes that the reports are false! Therefore, he says, “I hope these allegations are false. I really don’t want them to be found true … because, in the end, each of us must be fully committed to what is truth.”
Application
What a great heart. You see, sometimes, if we have an allegation against another person, and we voice our judgment, it’s a human desire to see that allegation proven so in the eyes of onlookers, we are justified in our contentions. However, if, somehow, those allegations upon which I was basing my contentions prove unsubstantiated, then I may look foolish! Therefore, if pride has already set in … (and if I’ve already put myself out on a line) —then revealing the whole truth would become my “adversary” since it would indict me! Pride often leads to cover-ups and shadowed narratives, and we circumvent the truth with crafty eloquence. We would rather people believe a lie so we can retain control. Romans 1:25 says: “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie …”. If we do not submit to truth, God will “give us over” to a depraved mind. What a horrible ending! Being committed to the truth must be our goal.
Prayer
Father, help me to have the courage to walk in the light — for we can do nothing against the truth, for You are truth, and Your Word is truth. That will be the standard and plumb line against which all opinions and mandates of men will be measured. Only that which is consistent with Your Word and Spirit will be defined as “TRUTH.” (1 John 1:7, 1 John 4:6).
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