What is Truth?

Truth

The truth statement:

English Standard Version Chapter 2

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

What are the truths in this statement?

English Standard Version Chapter 3

“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

Do you notice anything interesting about how the serpent phrased his question?

The serpent is planting a seed of doubt in the mind of Eve. Wow…God really isn’t letting you eat any of the fruit in this garden? Almost like he is implying that God is a little overbearing. In his question there is the implication that God is restricting their freedom.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible B. Adam and Eve (2:4–25)

A third possibility, and the one accepted here, is that the knowledge of good and evil means the ability and power to determine what is good and what is evil. Of course, this is God’s prerogative alone. He has never delegated moral autonomy to any of his creatures.

In this moment, one the cuff of sin entering into the picture of mankind, Eve has a choice to make. Is she going to trust in the goodness of God and the boundaries that he has put around her, or is she going to decide for herself what good and evil is....what freedom should be???

And now we get to today…and man is still choosing to go the route that Adam and Eve went.

Every person has to define right and wrong for him or herself

“Every person has to define right and wrong for him or herself.” I always responded to the speakers by asking, “Is there anyone in the world right now doing things you believe they should stop doing no matter what they personally believe about the correctness of their behaviour?” They always answer with a yes. I then ask, “Doesn’t that mean that you do believe there is some kind of moral reality that is out there that is not defined by us, that must be abided by regardless of what a person feels or thinks?”

Example of Hitler

Elephant Story

We Create Our Own Freedom

“A one-Truth-fits all approach is just too confining. The Christians I know don’t seem to have the freedom to think for themselves. I believe each individual must determine truth for him or herself.”

There is this mentality in our generation that absolute truth is the enemy of freedom. True freedom, they believe, is the freedom to create your own meaning and purpose, and truth.

Christianity requires particular beliefs in order to be a member of its community…it is not open to all.

This is why there is so much confusion in this world, and identity crisis about gender, relationships, and who we are at the core. Because man has decided that he wants to decide meaning, purpose, and truth for himself, because we believe that that is what brings true freedom.

In many areas of life, freedom is not so much the absence of restrictions as finding the right ones, the liberating restrictions.

Example of Love

Once you realize how Jesus changed for you and gave himself for you , you aren’t afraid of letting Him define truth for your life, or giving up your freedom so you can find your freedom in him.

Example of Hitler

Once you realize how Jesus changed for you and gave himself for you , you aren’t afraid of giving up your freedom and therefore finding your freedom in him.

Once you realize how Jesus changed for you and gave himself for you , you aren’t afraid of giving up your freedom and therefore finding your freedom in him.

Next Week

Next week (Hypocrites, Character flaws, injustice) The Church is Responsible For So Much Injustice

Luke 9:46-48

John 13:35 ESV

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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How does October 12 look for the Pizza Party?