THE TRUTH – THE WHOLE TRUTH

AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

[John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.]

1. There are things in and about life that I/we think may be “true”.

[1Corinthians 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.]

When we only think something is “true” this is mainly a function of the mind. Much of modern education is directed at the mind

(Which, according to the Scriptures [1Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5; 1Peter 4:1], is not the same as the brain) and is based on the so-called

Socratic Method of instruction which is based on questioning everything - including God’s word.

2. There are things in and about life that I/we believe are “true”.

[1Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us,

ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.]

Believing is solely (exclusively) an operation and function of the heart and that is why we should be extra cautious and

extremely careful in what we choose to believe in.

[Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea,

also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

Proverbs 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.]

Because our hearts are so wicked and deceitful we must: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” [Proverbs 4:23] And be very careful not to believe a lie.

[2Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

3. There are things in and about life that I/we know are “true”.

John 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true,

and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

When Christians know something is “true”, it is the result of the operation of: the heart (Believing); the mind (Studying);

and the spirit [man’s] (where the Holy Spirit of God witnesses to the believer’s spirit to the truth of God’s words).

In order to know what is “true” a believer must first know where the written word of God is and must have complete trust

and confidence in God’s word to be our Final Authority - sufficient in all matters of faith and practice .

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

When Christians know something to be “true” it is the result of knowing:

John 17:17 “. . . . . Thy word is truth.”

Plus the result of Studying the Scriptures:

2Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Plus the result of Seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance:

John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Christians know the “truth”, and how do we know – because the Bible tells us so:

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

1John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

1John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Here are a few more “truths” that we know - because of the Bible’s testimony:

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

1John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

1John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

In the Gospel of John Verse 18:38 the Roman Governor, Pilate, asked the Lord Jesus Christ: “What is truth?” Was Pilate truly sincere or just a Sophist mocking? The fact is Jesus chose not to answer his question.

Here was one of the most tragic exchanges between two people to have ever occurred in recorded history. Shortly before this meeting with Pilate we have:

No. 1 - We have the Lord Jesus Christ having said to His disciple Thomas: . . . . . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [John 14:6]

No. 2 – We also have the Lord praying to His Heavenly Father and clearly stating: . . . . thy word is truth. [John 17:17]

At this point in time, Pilate was one of the most powerful people in all of Israel. He probably was well educated, and there can be no doubt that he was very well “connected”, and financially well off. However, it is quite obvious that he had no interest in “The Truth” – even though The Truth was standing there before him!

Imagine, here was a man standing before the governor, who knew where to find “the truth”, who knew more about “the truth” than any man who has ever lived; who was and still is the very embodiment and manifestation of that “truth” and yet Pilate doesn’t know it, nor does he care!! And notice – Jesus refuses to answer him!!!

Just who did The Lord Jesus Christ reveal “the truth” to? Why to His disciples of course. Christ revealed “the truth” to Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, Thomas, James, John, etc. And after His resurrection He continued to reveal “the truth” to these men and many others: including Stephen, the Apostle Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Epaphras, Silvanus, Demas, Titus, Aquila and Priscilla, etc. etc.

So what’s the point? Just this: The Lord Jesus Christ reveals “the truth” to His followers – not to the rich, the powerful, and the educated. All of the men that followed Him during His earthly ministry were common ordinary folks. And all of those men who followed Him after His resurrection were also ordinary people. Although Paul and probably Apollos were schooled and better educated than some of the other apostles, the Bible records that Paul earned his living (and supported some of his co-workers) by sewing tents! And although Apollos was “an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures,” he wasn’t too proud to receive instruction from ordinary Christians (Aquila & Priscilla) (who also sewed tents).

There are thousands of things that we can learn and know from the Bible and that can benefit us. However, we must have a heart that sincerely wants to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It is entirely up to us to take the time to study God’s written words from God’s mouth and to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance for spiritual discernment, understanding, and wisdom.

When it comes to the “TRUTH” – God wants us to:

Believe God and His written word.

Trust God and His written word

Obey God and His written word