The Bible has a lot to say about truth. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical teachings on truth:
God’s Word is Truth
The Bible teaches that God’s Word is truth. Jesus said in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” God’s Word reveals objective spiritual and moral truth that is unchanging. The psalmist declared, “The entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). The Bible presents divine truth that comes from the God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
Jesus is the Truth
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus embodied truth in His life and teaching. He came to testify to the truth (John 18:37) and He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Those who follow Christ will know the truth (John 8:31-32).
The Truth Sets You Free
Knowing biblical truth leads to freedom from sin. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). God’s truth exposes the lies and deception of the enemy. Walking in God’s truth keeps one from being enslaved by sin (Romans 6:16-18).
Speak the Truth in Love
Christians are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). God wants His people to be sincere, honest, and upright. The Bible condemns lying and deception. However, truth must be balanced with grace and compassion.
True Worshippers Worship in Truth
Jesus said true worshippers will worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). True worship is grounded in God’s revealed truth in Scripture. It engages both our spirits and minds. Singing, teaching, communion and all aspects of gathered worship should adhere to biblical truth.
The Truth Brings Freedom from Deception
God’s truth exposes deception. Jesus promised his disciples the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). God’s Word is a light that drives away spiritual darkness and deceit (Psalm 43:3). Clinging to Scripture protects believers from false teaching.
We Must Obey the Truth
The Bible calls people everywhere to obey the truth. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Responding to God’s truth in obedience leads to holiness, love, and blessing.
Walk in the Truth
Believers are called to walk in God’s truth. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4). All of life must be conformed to God’s revealed truth. His truth should affect everything a Christian thinks, says, and does.
Speak Truth with Neighbors
God’s people are to speak truth to their neighbors. “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25). Honesty and integrity should characterize Christian relationships.
God Desires Truth in the Inner Being
Mere outward conformity to truth is not enough. God desires heartfelt sincerity. “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” (Psalm 51:6). The Holy Spirit applies God’s truth internally to transform the inner person.
The Truth Brings Unity
When Christians share common commitment to God’s truth, it brings unity. “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
False Teachers Distort Truth
Beware of those who distort God’s Word. “There will be false teachers among you…who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1). Study Scripture to discern truth from deception.
Truth and Grace
As Christians proclaim truth, it must be balanced with grace, compassion, and humility. “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness…” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
God’s Truth Endures Forever
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8). God’s revealed truth is eternal and unchanging. His truth remains relevant for every generation and culture.
Submit to God’s Truth
The call to obey God’s Word requires humbly submitting to His truth. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6). Yielding to the authority of Scripture brings blessing. Resisting His truth leads to judgment.
Truth and the Fear of the Lord
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10). Recognizing God’s truth begins with reverence toward Him. His truth inspires awe and godly fear.
God Cannot Lie
“God, who never lies, promised…” (Titus 1:2). “It is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). God is truth. There is no deceit, lying, or falsehood with Him. His Word is completely true and trustworthy.
The Pursuit of Truth
Christians should actively pursue truth, not passively receive it. “If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and…look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure…” (Proverbs 2:3-4). Ask God for discernment.
Pray for Wisdom and Truth
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5). Praying for God’s truth exposes deception and protects from error. The Holy Spirit leads believers into truth as they study Scripture.
Truth and Christian Community
Fellowship with other believers reinforces commitment to God’s Word. “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Christian community promotes walking in truth.
Truth Perseveres
Upholding God’s truth requires perseverance. “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13). Clinging to Scripture gives strength to endure trials and contend for the faith.
Truth Brings Forgiveness
Confessing sins in light of God’s truth brings forgiveness and cleansing through Christ’s blood. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).
Abide in Truth
Remaining in close fellowship with Jesus enables us to walk in God’s truth. “If you abide in My word…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32). Abiding in Christ protects from deception.
Truth Exposes Darkness
God’s truth brings hidden things into the light. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” (Ephesians 5:11-12).
Speak Truth with Love
When sharing God’s truth, speak gently and lovingly. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15). Truth must be communicated graciously.
Submit All Thoughts to Truth
Take every thought captive to obey Christ. “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Evaluate thoughts by Scripture.
Truth and Sound Doctrine
God’s truth shapes sound doctrine. “Teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1). Doctrine must be grounded in and judged by the standard of biblical truth. Scripture protects against false teaching.
Jesus Reveals the Father
Jesus makes the truth about God known. “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:18). Christ teaches us truthful knowledge about the Father’s attributes and will.
The Bible is God-Breathed Truth
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is inspired and infallible truth from God Himself.
Prayer for Discerning Truth
Pray for wisdom to discern truth and guard against deception. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.” (Ephesians 1:17).
Truth Requires Action
Truth demands a response. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22). Obedience unlocks truth’s transforming power. Hearing without responding is self-deception.
Truth and the Renewed Mind
Applying God’s truth renews the mind. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2).
The Truth War
Earnestly contend for the faith against unbiblical teaching. “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3).
Truth and the New Self
“Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24). God’s truth transforms believers’ character and conduct to align with Christ.
In summary, the Bible emphasizes knowing and obeying God’s revealed truth. As Christians walk in biblical truth, they experience freedom, unity, wisdom, and blessing. God’s eternal truth sanctifies, renews, and liberates. Through Jesus Christ and the Scriptures, God makes His unchanging truth known.