Truth

That’s true for you but not for me.

That’s just your reality.

It’s all relative.

Truth is more like opinion

John 18:37–38 NIV

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.

Video

There is no truth.

Self-defeating argument

Relativism - each has their own truth

except that each has their own truth… self-defeating..

Your truth and My truth?

bank example

grade example

What about favorites, or preferences?

Preferences are true, but not the case for everyone

Pluralism - all truth claims are equally valid

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Is Truth?

As one philosopher quipped, anyone who believes that the law of non-contradiction is not true (and, by default, pluralism is true) should be beaten and burned until they admit that to be beaten and burned is not the same thing as to not be beaten and burned. Also, note that pluralism says that it is true and anything opposed to it is false, which is a claim that denies its own foundational tenet.

Sincerity makes true

Believe the wrong key as much as I want, and it will not unlock the door.

Truth - lines up with what is real or actual

“Reality is like a wet lump of clay—we can shape it any way we want.” Antirealism, except that statement can’t be molded… self-defeating

Truth - matches up, faithful to, a standard

Ruler example

What about morals?

Relativistic morals - actions are okay (until it hurts me…)

Standard - God’s word

Truth is Narrow, and often offensive

Why is truth important?

consequences for being wrong… wrong medication will kill you

boarding the wrong plane will take you somewhere else

When youth do not have a standard referent:

36% more likely to lie

48% more likely to cheat

2x more likely to hurt someone

3x more likely to use illegal drugs

6x more likely to commit suicide

Biblical consequences...

Proverbs 14:12 NIV

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Romans 1:18 NIV

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Romans 2:6–8 NIV

God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

what does God want?

1 Timothy 2:3–6 NIV

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

John 14:6 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 7:14 NIV

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

John 17:17 NIV

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Your responsibility:

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Acts 17:11 NIV

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV

but test them all; hold on to what is good,

Joshua 1:8 NIV

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 15:1–2 NIV

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;

Be aware...

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 NIV

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.