The Search for Truth Part I and II

Thursday, May 14, 2015

The Search for Truth Part I

The search for and avoidance of truth is as old as mankind. At the beginning of mankind's history Satan (the devil) distorted God's truth by telling a part-truth—one of the most deceptive form of lies. This resulted in mankind's fall and introduced evil into the world.1 And when Jesus was being tried, Pilate asked, "What is truth?"2

Today, however, in our so-called post-modern secular world, with our political correctness insanity, according to Kenneth D. Boa and Robert M. Bowman Jr., in their book, 20 Compelling Evidences That God Exists, "Tolerance—not truth—is absolute."3 This is an extremely dangerous way to live and a foundation of sinking sand upon which to build a society—especially as we keep moving our roots farther and farther away from God, the author and essence of all truth and life.

At the root of much of the evil (including terrorism) in today's world is the fact that men have exchanged the truth of God for a lie. In speaking about earlier generations God's Word says, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged … the truth of God for a lie."4

The end result: "God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."5

The reality is that without access to the truth there is no reality, no freedom, no sense of direction, and no hope of salvation for mankind. No wonder so much of today's world is floating on a sea of distrust and world-wide turmoil. May we never forget that "blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD."6

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please send a revival of Your Spirit and a revival of truth to our land so that as a nation we will turn back to You and know Your blessing and security—and let Your work begin in me. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

To be certain your life is right with God read, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. See Genesis 3:1-6.
2. John 18:38 (NIV).
3. Kenneth D. Boa and Robert M. Bowman Jr.,
in their book, 20 Compelling Evidences
That God Exists, p.18.
4. Romans 1:21-23 (NIV).
5. Romans 1:28-32 (NASB).
6. Psalm 33:12 (NIV).

Friday, May 15, 2015

The Search for Truth Part II

Jesus gave an eternal principle to all people when He said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."1

While Jesus was primarily sharing a theological principle, the same principle applies to every area of life—not only to propositional truth (factual truth) but also to personal truth.

Personal truth means that we are to be in touch with our inner truth; that is, being aware of and honest about our true feelings and motives. As God's Word says, "Behold, you [God] desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part you will make me know wisdom."2

In reality, the more dishonest we are (repressed and in denial) about our inner truth, the more we will distort all truth—including God's truth—to make it match our distorted perception of reality. The opposite is also true, the more honest we are with our inner truth the clearer we will see all truth.

In other words, we see things not the way they are but the way we are. For example, if I am a negative person, I will see things in a negative light—and be critical about them. If I am a supersensitive person, I will read into what others say or do and overreact—not so much on the basis of what they have said or done, but on the basis of who and what I am. On the other hand, as Thomas Dreier put it, "The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are."

It is not without good reason that God's Word teaches: "Don't just pretend to be good! Be done with dishonesty and jealousy … put away all evil, deception, envy, and fraud. Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation."3

If we want to discover truth it starts with our being truthful and honest with ourselves. As long as there is any area in our life where we haven't found freedom, we can be sure that there is some truth we are not seeing or are in denial about. As Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."1

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see and get reconnected to any and every area in my life where I might be in denial, so I can bring these issues into the light so they can be dealt with and resolved. Help me always to be truthful with myself, others and with You so that I will find true freedom and not distort the truth in any way. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

To be certain your life is right with God read, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. John 8:31-32 (NIV).
2. Psalm 51:6 (NASB).
3. See 1 Peter 2:1-3 (TLB).

<:))))>< <:>< NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon Click HERE.

Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, please click HERE.

Source: http://www.actsweb.org/.






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