What is truth?

Truth has had many faces put on it in the past. The problem arises in discovering real truth. How does one go about finding the truth concerning any subject, and how can we be certain what we have found is real?

Truth, concerning the two major topics on everyone’s mind these days is political truth, and religious truth. After all, one nescessarily follows the other. If one has a liberal viewpoint concerning religion, that individual will, more often than not, have a liberal viewpoint concerning politics. By the same token, one who holds a conservative view of religion, will as well hold a conservative viewpoint on politics. There are occasions however, when one is inconsistent and holds a conservative veiwpoint on one and a liberal viewpoint on the other.

As to the first question, how do we go about finding the truth? Many people hold the view that all truth is relative. Shades of truth exist, and concrete truth can not be discovered. Those who hold this view, never have an “absolute” statement to make about anything. Contrary to the relativists view, absolute truth can be discovered.

What is the difference between black and white? It is very easy to see the difference when someone tells outright lies. It becomes much more difficult, when one tells lies that are ninety percent truth and ten percent lie. It comes so close to the truth, and sounds so very reasonable, and yet under close analysis, it is in reality a lie.

Under these circumstances, both MainLine Churches, and MainStream Media are very similar. Both have been in positions of power, control, and respect for many decades. We are seeing the results of a public who has been searching for truth, and are now discovering it, and the downward spiral of MSM’s respect and their following. We have observed some followers of MainLine Churches seeking the truth, and have broken off and formed more conservative churches and denominations.

It takes hard work to discover what is truth and what is not. It involves much research and study. Most of the time we just drift through life only concerned about our own little world and surroundings. We don’t want to take the time to discern truth.

Then there is the problem of emotion. Because of what we have been taught in the past, or what we have picked up in small tidbits from experiences along the way, we cling to those tidbits, because they are the only principles that have held our lives together for so long.

Once truth has been ascertained, then arises the real problem with discovering truth. Truth can be divisive. Among family and friends, truth can be the cause of many arguments, and actual breaking of fellowship. Should that deter us from seeking the truth? We would certainly hope not. You see, with truth comes freedom. We become free from tyrannical governments, media, churches, and yes, sometimes, families. It is at this point, emotion really gets in the way.

Past experience plays a role in keeping us from the truth as well. Especially when experience involves the passing of loved ones. But there again, experience many times evokes great emotion, which can keep us from the real truth.

We remember a story from a long time ago concerning Fact, Faith, and Feeling. Fact, Faith, and Feeling were very close friends, and one day decided to walk on top of a fence rail, while walking down the road. You remember the old time fences, that were made of wood, and some really old fences were actually made with rails of split wood. That is the kind of fence, Fact, Faith, and Feeling were walking on. Fact was leading, Faith followed, and Feeling brought up the rear. They walked along fine keeping their balance, until Feeling questioned Faith about something. Faith took his eyes off of Fact to look back at Feeling, and they both fell off the fence.

As we have posted before, one can not separate what they belive, from what they discover as truth. Truth can only ultimately be analyzed by filtering it through revealed truth contained in God’s Word. The Bible is the foundation, where all other so called truth is tried, and if it doesn’t measure up, should be discarded.

“…and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 ASV)

With great freedom, comes great responsibility. When one begins to express truth, one can expect confrontation, separation, broken fellowship, and moments of self doubt. Along with these negatives, come the joy, exaltation, and freedom of knowing real truth.

The struggle is the price you pay, when you finally know and express absolute truth.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 20th, 2005 at 12:49 pm and is filed under Sunday Thought of the Day. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

Tags: What Is Truth, Discovery of Truth, Absolute Truth