The Truth Shall Set You Free

Scriptural text: John 31-38

The Truth Shall Set You Free

In these last Days many are being deceived: it is written in the letter to the Colossians (2:8) WE ARE GIVEN WARNINGS

Colossians 2:8 (The Message) 8Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ.

The two widespread intrusion parading as truth:

(1) The New Age movement—New Agers who see themselves as going beyond scientific knowledge by actively pursuing psychic phenomenon and supernatural power. 

New Age philosophy is a loose network of beliefs blending reincarnation, karmic law, astrology, spirit channeling, spirit guides, communion with extra-terrestrial beings, mystical self-examination, the “healing power” of pyramids and quartz crystals, sound and color healing, therapeutic touch, health foods, vegetarianism, herbal medicine, water cures, nature cults, nudity, rebirthing, yoga, transcendental meditation, E.S.P., clairvoyance, gurus and shamans, acupuncture, hypnosis, chantings, environmentalism, harmonic convergence, pre-Christian paganism or witchcraft and other forms of spiritualism.

(2) Humanistic philosophy, on the other hand, “ entails a reliance upon reason, the scientific method, democracy, and compassion.

Note: What New Age and humanistic philosophies do have in common is their satanic source. Satan has set forth two alternatives to man’s search for reality: the supernatural approach through the New Age movement, and the scientific approach through Secular Humanism.

Romans 1:18 (The Message) 18But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (A Glimpse Into The END TIME, 1:6-2:17: The Antichrist Followers, which are perishing, and don’t realize it:

‘The quality of a person’s life depends on what he or she believes, and the destiny of that person’s life depends equally on what he or she believes.

It matters that Christians be grounded solidly in the truth. It matters that truth is upheld, preserved, and honored. Otherwise we are vulnerable to lies that deceive and destroy.

And note: he will use all kinds and forms of deceit to secure the loyalty of people:

⇒  He will lead people away from the truth.

⇒  He will mistreat people by lying to them.

⇒  He will lead people to believe false ideas and untruths.

⇒  He will exalt man, government, and science.

⇒  He will cheat people out of the inheritance they could receive.

⇒  He will misguide people and keep them from knowing peace, true inner peace, true assurance, security, love, joy, and confidence—all the qualities that build the very best of lives.

Truth is demanded in relation to others. In every kind of personal dealing God expects his human creatures to speak the truth insofar as their tangled relationships allow. God thus expects our truthfulness in social contexts. Life in society becomes impossible if lying, falsehood, and disinformation constantly replace the truth. What would legal systems be without the undertaking to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? What becomes of scholarship if truth does not prevail over both error and deception? How can a business prosper if it does not live up to its promises and obligations?

        Paul Simon song (American Tune) in the 70's summed up the American mood of today:

Idon't know a soul who's not been battered

               I don't have a friend who feels at ease

               I don't know a dream that's not been shattered

                    or driven to its knees

               But it's all right, it's all right

               We've lived so well so long

               still, when I think of the road

                    we're traveling on

               I wonder what went wrong

               I can't help it, I wonder what went wrong.

We are living in the times where the cultures are interested in "spirituality,' but reject biblical Christianity.

The true way becomes ignored and many follow a false trail. Peter had heard Jesus say, ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction’ (Matt. 7:13). Which is the right way? Jesus said of himself, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6).

     Peter made this same claim in Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Why:

 He is the Embodiment of truth. He is the picture of truth. God shows man what He is like in the person of Jesus Christ.

He is the Communicator of truth. He reveals the ultimate source and meaning and end of all things. He shows man the right way to the truth, and He enables man to choose the right way to the truth.

"To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world, that I should be a witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hearth my voice" (Jn. 18:37)

He is the Liberator of truth (Jn. 8.32; 15:3). He sets men free from the great gulf (estrangement) which exists between man and God, between man and his world, and between man and man. he sets man free from the frustrations which he constantly experiences. He frees man from the fears and weaknesses and defects that plague him.

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

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" Jn. 15.3

Doug Groothius: “Everyone may be entitled to his own opinion but everyone is not entitled to his own truth. Truth is but one.”

Doug Gwyn: “Truth is not determined by majority vote.”

“You will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” The Bible, John 8:32

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. The Bible, John 16:13

Speak every man truth with his neighbor. Ephesians 4:25

Those who would find truth must:

1. Desire it.

2. Pray for it.

3. Study it.

4. Practice it.

Author Unknown

Truth is the greatest gift of life and love is the exercise of that truth.

Author unknown

Truth is truth where e’re it is found;

on Christian or on heathen ground.

Author unknown