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Truth: More Than Just a Feeling

In a world where personal truths and relative morality seem to reign supreme, it’s crucial to pause and consider: What is truth, really? Is it merely what feels right to us, or is there something more concrete and unchanging at its core?

The concept of “living your truth” has gained popularity in recent years. It’s a phrase that sounds empowering, suggesting that we each hold the key to our own reality. But what happens when our personal truths clash with each other, or worse, with an objective reality?

Consider the story of an elderly woman in Florida who mistakenly thought four young men were trying to steal her car. Acting on what she believed to be true, she threatened them with a gun, only to realize moments later that she was in the wrong vehicle. Her “truth” in that moment – that her car was being stolen – led to a dangerous situation that could have ended tragically.

This anecdote illustrates a crucial point: just because we believe something doesn’t make it true. Our perceptions, feelings, and experiences, while valuable, are not infallible guides to reality. So where can we turn for truth that transcends our limited perspectives?

The Bible offers a radical answer: truth is not just a concept, but a person. In John 14:6, Jesus makes the bold claim, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This statement challenges us to consider truth not as something we create or discover within ourselves, but as something – or someone – we encounter and follow.

But what does it mean for truth to be embodied in a person? It suggests that truth is not just about facts and figures, but about relationship and transformation. When we align ourselves with Jesus, who claimed to be truth incarnate, we’re not just adopting a set of beliefs – we’re entering into a dynamic relationship that has the power to change us from the inside out.

This personal nature of truth doesn’t negate the importance of God’s written word. In fact, the Bible itself is described as truth. Psalm 119:160 declares, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” This reminds us that while truth is ultimately found in a person (Jesus), it’s also revealed through the timeless wisdom and guidance of Scripture.

However, engaging with God’s truth isn’t always easy. We might be tempted to remain intentionally ignorant of challenging biblical teachings, manipulate scripture to fit our preferences, or blatantly disobey what we know to be true. The path of simple obedience – aligning our lives with God’s truth even when it’s difficult – is often the road less traveled.

Yet it’s precisely in those moments of obedience, especially when it goes against our natural inclinations, that we experience the transformative power of truth. As Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This promise of freedom through truth stands in stark contrast to the world’s understanding. While culture often equates freedom with the ability to define our own truth, the Bible suggests that true freedom comes from aligning ourselves with the unchanging truth of God. It’s not about self-expression, but about transformation.

The journey of embracing God’s truth isn’t one we have to navigate alone. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, described as the “Spirit of truth,” to guide believers into all truth (John 16:13). This divine helper not only helps us understand God’s word but also gives us the strength to live it out in our daily lives.

Living according to God’s truth often requires us to confront and change deeply ingrained beliefs and behaviors. It might mean redefining our understanding of success, reassessing our relationships, or completely overhauling our worldview. The process can be uncomfortable, even painful at times. But the promise is that on the other side of this surrender, we find true freedom and fulfillment.

Consider the story of the junior high student whose father was a photographer for an adult magazine. Growing up surrounded by images that objectified women, he had internalized a damaging view of femininity. Encountering the biblical truth that all people, including women, are “fearfully and wonderfully made” in God’s image challenged everything he thought he knew. Embracing this new truth meant dying to his old understanding and embracing a radically different perspective.

This example highlights a critical question we all must face: Who or what is the ultimate authority in our lives? Are we allowing our feelings, experiences, or cultural norms to dictate our understanding of truth? Or are we willing to submit to the authority of Jesus and His word, even when it challenges our preconceptions?

The good news is that no matter how entrenched we may be in our own version of truth, change is possible. The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate testament to the power of God to bring new life out of death, light out of darkness, and truth out of confusion.

As we navigate the complex landscape of competing truth claims in our world, may we have the courage to look beyond our feelings and cultural trends. May we seek the unchanging truth found in Jesus Christ and His word. And may we experience the genuine freedom and fulfillment that comes from aligning our lives with that truth.

In a world that often feels unmoored from absolute truth, embracing the person of Jesus and the truth of Scripture provides an anchor for our souls. It offers not just intellectual assent to facts, but a transformative relationship that has the power to change everything. Will you accept the invitation to know and follow the One who is Truth itself?