Nature of truth

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God is the essence of truth and this quality should be reflected in the character of his children. Falsehood is condemned in Scripture, particularly in legal contexts, but truth is praised and advocated. God takes pleasure in truth and honesty, which are marks of an upright person.

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Truth originates with God

Psalm 43:3 NLT
Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.
See also Ps 25:5; Ps 26:3; Ps 86:11; Is 65:16; Da 9:13

Truth is an aspect of God’s character

It is demonstrated in his faithfulness and reliability

Nu 23:19; Ps 33:4
See also 1 Sa 15:29; Ps 31:5; Ps 40:10–11; Ps 119:160; Is 45:19; Je 10:10; Je 42:5; Da 10:21; Mic 7:20

It is demonstrated in his justice and mercy

Ps 96:13 The Hebraic concept of truth embraces the ideas of faithfulness, reliability and justice.
See also Ps 119:30; Ps 119:43–44; Ps 119:142; Ps 119:151

Amen as a liturgical affirmation of truth

Of oaths and curses

Nu 5:22 The word “amen” is closely related to the word for “truth” in Hebrew. It constitutes an affirmation of the truth of what has been said and an acceptance of its consequences.
See also Dt 27:15–26; Ne 5:13; Je 11:5

Of benedictions and doxologies

1 Chronicles 16:36 NLT
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the Lord.
See also Ne 8:6; Ps 41:13; Ps 72:19; Ps 89:52; Ps 106:48

In general use

Jeremiah 28:6 NLT
He said, “Amen! May your prophecies come true! I hope the Lord does everything you say. I hope he does bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple and all the captives.
See also 1 Ki 1:32–37

In the NT

Ro 1:25 By NT times, the word “Amen” had become a common liturgical phrase of affirmation, used after prayers, benedictions and doxologies.
See also Mt 6:13; Ro 9:5; Ro 11:36; 1 Co 14:16; 2 Co 1:20; Ga 6:18; Php 4:20; 1 Ti 1:17; Heb 13:20–21; 2 Pe 3:18; Jud 25; Re 1:6–7; Re 7:12; Re 22:20

Truth should be reflected in the character of God’s people

Zechariah 8:16 NLT
But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.
See also 1 Ki 17:22–24; Ps 15:1–5; Ps 51:6; Ps 145:18; Pr 23:23; Je 4:2; Je 5:1; Zec 7:9; Zec 8:3; Zec 8:19; Mal 2:6

Absence of truth in the human character displeases God

Isaiah 59:14–15 NLT
Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.
See also Is 48:1; Je 5:3; Je 7:28; Je 9:3

Truth as an abstract quality

Psalm 45:4 NLT
In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice. Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!
See also Pr 23:23; Da 8:12

Truth is the opposite of falsehood

Proverbs 16:13 NLT
The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.
See also 1 Ki 17:24; 1 Ki 22:16; Ne 6:6; Pr 8:7; Pr 12:17; Is 45:19; Zec 8:16

Truth is subject to proof

Genesis 42:14–16 NLT
But Joseph insisted, “As I said, you are spies! This is how I will test your story. I swear by the life of Pharaoh that you will never leave Egypt unless your youngest brother comes here! One of you must go and get your brother. I’ll keep the rest of you here in prison. Then we’ll find out whether or not your story is true. By the life of Pharaoh, if it turns out that you don’t have a younger brother, then I’ll know you are spies.”
See also Dt 13:12–15; Dt 17:2–5; Dt 19:16–19; Dt 22:20–21; 1 Ki 10:6–7; Job 5:27

Truth is commended in Scripture

Proverbs 12:22 NLT
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
See also Ex 20:16; Ex 23:1; Ex 23:7; Pr 12:19; Pr 13:5; Pr 14:25; Pr 19:5; Pr 19:9; Eph 4:25; Re 22:14–15

Lack of truth is a characteristic of apostasy

Jeremiah 7:28 NLT
Say to them, ‘This is the nation whose people will not obey the Lord their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.
See also Ps 52:1–4; Is 59:12–15; Je 9:5–6; Am 5:10

Truth as an expression of affirmation

Daniel 11:2 NLT
“Now then, I will reveal the truth to you. Three more Persian kings will reign, to be succeeded by a fourth, far richer than the others. He will use his wealth to stir up everyone to fight against the kingdom of Greece.
See also Jos 7:20; Ru 3:12; 2 Ki 19:17; Je 26:15; Mt 5:18; Mt 8:10; Mt 21:21; Mk 8:12; Mk 14:30; Lk 4:24; Lk 21:32; Jn 3:3; Jn 8:51; Jn 21:18
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