Lesson On Truth

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. [asv]

Ephesians 5:25-29 NKJV

25 . . . just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. . . . 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

If you were asked your opinion as to the one most needful thing among the people of God today, while seeking their own eternal salvation and that of alien friends, what would you say? According to your judgment, what is the one thing that is most needed?

This is more than just an interesting question, it is of vital importance. There are many “interesting” matters today, but matters of salvation must be more important. Deception can be no part of our relationship with God, and this fellowship relationship is the all important matter in our lives. HE KNOWS!

1. As to most needful, some no doubt would say, "More knowledge of the Scriptures." Perhaps these would be influenced by such things as God's indictment of Israel, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hos 4:6). Or perhaps one of the many statements in the New Covenant Scriptures, i.e.,

2TI 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

To renew the affirmations of integrity of the Word, to know for sure what His will is for us; to have a guide as to how we can cope with all the troublesome situations of life; to know for sure the rewards for obedience and the evil results for disobedience; this knowledge would be significantly important for all of us. More knowledge is surely needed, and so this would be a good answer to our question of what the most badly needed matter is for us today.

2. As to most needful, some no doubt would say, "More visionary leadership." Perhaps these would be influenced by such statements as that of Solomon, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Pro. 29:18). It has long been believed that every institution is but the "lengthened shadow of its leadership." To feed the flock of God is monumentally important. To determine the right spiritual menu, the right way to prepare and serve spiritual food to those under their spiritual care; to oversee those who depend upon them for guidance so that all might have the hope of hearing at the finish line, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant;" this is vitally important. More visionary leadership is no doubt a great need and would be a good answer to our question. (Use the "role of the spiritual leader.)

3. As to most needful, some would no doubt say, "Greater involvement by more Christians in the affairs of the Cause of Christ; teaching neighbors, helping the weak, encouraging the unfaithful, restoring the fallen. Perhaps these would be influenced by such statements as that of James, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22). Greater involvement by more of the disciples of the Lord is a great need, and would be one good answer to our question.

It is presumptuous for any of we humans to conclude that one character virtue is more important than any other, or what is most important, but this writer suggests that there is one thing for sure that is vital in our growth in “grace and knowledge” (2Pe 3:18). That one thing is an understanding of, and an appreciation and respect for truth.

1. First and foremost, the one true and living Almighty God has exercised his authority to demand Truth for His People. As in our text, “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” There are many statements in the Scriptures that identifies God’s attitude and treatment of liars, but if only one, it would be sufficient; i.e., But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 21:8).

2. Secondly, and most important, to help each one of us appreciate the need for, and the sheer beauty of God's "grace" in saving us. Grace begins where our human efforts end. None of us can possibly live without fault. It is so easy to be overtaken by the devil when we are caught off guard. We no doubt understand only partially the blessings for honest, diligent effort in following Jesus. To live in a world where everyone was always truthful at all times and under all circumstances, would be a great blessing. This would essentially be "heaven on earth." To be with people who truly love God and love one another, who trust and care for one another, who are possessed of the mind and spirit of the Lord -- this is something to dream about, and strive for. A beautiful thought indeed!

As for the second, do you and I really understand the necessity of the high standards of Christianity? When the demands of a religious system are great, the respect for that system will be great. No one could easily respect any system whose aims and purposes were less than noble; a system that demanded little of its citizens. Because we have a great God we necessarily have a high standard of excellence imposed upon us as His children. He would not be considered great if He permitted his family the liberty of a sub-standard existence; a lifestyle of carnal degradation and spiritual poverty. But to the contrary, a great God demands a high standard. Our God actually shares His very excellence with us. We literally are permitted to become partakers of His nature. (2 Pet. 1:4).

When one understands the exalted purposes of Christianity, to restore mankind to the status of sons of the Almighty God, to offer to lowly man the right and privilege of sharing in the very life of Deity with the Father, to bestow eternal life; the respect for such a system should be awesome.

3. Thirdly, truth is vital for the moral betterment (improvement, growth) of each child of God.

Many years ago, with a license to fly a plane, the FAA taught me a lesson I’ll never forget. The lesson concerned the true definition of an “accident.” What we pass off numerous times as accidents are not such, but the natural effect (result) of our own creation, both good and bad. God has informed, and set in motion, a plan for our growth in grace and knowledge. There is no way – note, no way – that we can live a life of satisfying the desires of our will and then wind up as the ready-for-eternal life creature that we all would naturally hope to be. This simply cannot be, and will not be! We were created in God's likeness, after His image. It was a lie that started our downfall in the Garden. Today we are capable of acquiring His very nature, if we will submit to truth, but to resist truth is to invite the inevitable. (Study please 2PE 1:1-4ff; the article on “Dangers Of Willful Sin,” etc.). All my life I’ve heard that “every young man must sow his wild oats,” and recently, when a young man was responsible for the abuse and (probable) death of a young women his mother stated on national TV, “he was just acting like any other young man.” This is, of course, a devil’s lie!

4. Truth is vital for the welfare and continuance of civilization. Perhaps we remember the story of Archimedes, the famous Greek, who walked the streets of Athens, looking, as he said, “for an honest man.” (287–212 B.C.) He claimed that he never found one. The number of books being written today decrying the immorality and corruption of America are multiplying. Billy Graham is quoted as saying that if the country gets much worse God will have to apologize to Sodom and G0morrah. The sad fact is that much of the world is simply taking lawlessness “for granted.” No one seems to be inclined to accept responsibility for his actions.

One of the outstanding characteristics of God is that He practices total and complete truthfulness. It is said of God that He cannot lie.

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. . . . Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever" (vs. 3-6).

In the incident where Balaam was asked by Balak to turn God's command to bless, into a commandment to curse, Balaam said,

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of a man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Num. 23:19).

Over in the New Testament, in Hebrews 6:18 the writer says that it is "impossible" for God to lie. (Study vs. 13-20). In Hebrews 6 the writer pleads for faithfulness and patience from his Jewish brethren with these words:

"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (vs. 11,12).

"When God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself. Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast . . . (vs. 13-19).

g. In keeping all of His promises. (Ps. 77:20; 2 Sam. 7:11; Ex. 34:7; Ps. 65:3.)

(B) Jesus was the perfect example of truth. He was always honest and straightforward with everyone at all times. He was perfectly consistent with His being the "Word of God (John 1:14). He was literally "truth" embodied. (John 14:6.) He told the truth about His purpose in coming, His mission concerning the new covenant, the fact of salvation and eternal damnation, etc.

(1). On one occasion when the Pharisees were trying to trap him into making a statement that would appear rebellious, they began by saying: "Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth" (Mark 12:14). Even his enemies could not find a contradiction in what He taught and what He practiced.

(2) He told his Jewish brethren that unless they repented they would perish (Luke 13:3,5; etc.); that unless they believed on Him they would die in their sins (John 8:24).

(3) He told His disciples they would be persecuted, and even killed. (Matt. 10:16-42; 24:9; John 16:2; 1 Pet. 4:12-19; etc.).

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God" (John 8:44-47).

Therefore, the inescapable conclusion is, those who practice the lie are of the devil.

(1) Ananias and Sapphira. "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the spirit: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things" (Acts 5:1-11.)

(2) Elymas the sorcerer. "And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord" (Acts 13:6-12).

It is not popular preaching today to preach a doctrine that demands a striving for moral perfection. And yet, the Scriptures are filled with demands for God’s People to seek to be like the God who created them, to be perfect as He is perfect. We might refer to Peter’s statement, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (behavior); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1Pe 1:15,16). One of the unique and (should be) enviable aspects of true religion is that it calls man back to their Creator, who was perfect in all respects.

This striving involves, as stated, a knowledge of what is true, and an understanding, appreciation and respect for the Author of Truth, and for His absolute demand for submission and obedience to Truth in all matters.

It is obvious to any of us who follow the world news today that truth is amazingly hard to find.

Some of us have at one time or another been called as a “witness” in a criminal or civil lawsuit. We remember that the bailiff (or official) asked us before the judge and jury heard our testimony, after we raised one hand and placed the other on the Holy Bible, "Do you sware to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" If later found that our testimony was false, there often were stiff penalties assessed for "perjury (lying under oath)" The same is even moreso true in the courts of God!

One would have to be pretty naive, or pretty insensitive to what truth is all about, to not be aware of all the deception in the world today. No one can possibly doubt that the practice of something less than complete truthfulness is one of the major problems of our time. In addition to those who just plain lie, and some who are psychopathic, there are large numbers who are like the man who said, "I'll tell the truth ten different ways before I'll tell a lie." And he laughed.

Our former President lost his license to practice Law because he just did not “tell all the truth” when questioned. “Technically,” he said, I told the truth, but, he said, “I deliberately misled the questioners.” Was deliberately misleading the questioners not lying?

The sad fact is that misrepresentation of truth is commonplace. In some circles it is just taken for granted, as in applications for employment, loans, insurance, and perhaps especially in politics. Barbara Walters says that heads of state will look her in the face and tell amazing lies. “Everybody lies,” Steve Fox and Bill Ritter stated on the ABC Good Morning America Sunday show (Feb. 22, 1998).

There is no doubt that the lack of truthfulness in our dealing with one another in the Body of Christ is indicative that we have a way to go in becoming partakers of God's Divine Nature. And, as salt, and light, and leaven in this world, how important it is that we who lay claim to being sons of God must -- absolutely must -- practice truthfulness.

Wise old Ben Franklin said that he learned to never trust a man who began his statement, "Now I want to be truthful with you." Ben's thinking was that this man knew himself capable of falsehood, and probably would be false if he needed to be. I believe it was Mark Twain who once said, "Tell the truth, and you will not have to remember what you said." This has a lot of merit. It reminds us of what Jesus said in the Sermon On The Mount, "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Mat. 5:37).

Do we take truth too lightly? Many years ago the president of one of our Christian Colleges was to hold a Gospel Meeting for our congregation. We had a fellowship on Saturday evening before the Meeting was to begin on Sunday. He was introduced and asked to say a "few words." He began by asking everyone in the room "who had ever stolen anything -- even a little thing -- to raise their hands." Most everyone did so. He then asked everyone "who had ever told an untruth -- even a small one -- to raise their hands." Most everyone in the audience did so. In a feinted solemn tone, he then stated that he would have his work cut out for himself in the Meeting, seeing how the congregation was made up of thieves and liars. We all had a good laugh.

With no reflection whatsoever upon this good man (who perhaps used a poor bit of humor), is there a possibility that we may be laughing our way through life to the judgment about vital matters? The practice of something less than complete truthfulness is not a funny matter. It is one of the major problems of our time. It is also one of the most significant indications that mankind is still lacking in the pursuit of Divine nature. Surely one of the most obvious qualities of God's character is truthfulness, and if we are to be partakers of His nature, we must acquire this quality. We inherit human nature from our parents, but divine nature must be acquired through personal desire and effort! (2Pe 1:1-4).

We are naturally interested in our physical and mental health.

We hear constantly of new discoveries concerning helpful drugs, yet recently several have been removed because of false or withheld information of the manufacturers. We are concerned about the morals of our nation, and the supposed causes of immorality. Is poverty the chief cause of crime? Was the now deceased Reverend Ike -- the black "God wants all of us to be wealthy" TV preacher, who owned more Rolls Royces than any man alive at the time

-- was he right when he said, "It is not the love of money that is the root of all evil, but the lack of money." Was he right? And throughout our land some of the most popular “preachers” continue to preach the “health and wealth for all” gospel, and multitudes flock to hear and support them.

We hear many lectures on "What is happening to the soul of America." Is America really going to fall from within as Rome did two thousand years ago? More and more preachers of righteousness are saying, “Yes! It’s happening now! It’s inevitable unless soldiers of Christ arise!”

We are concerned about true principles of success. Let a successful person write a book on "How To Make Money," or, "How To Succeed -- at whatever," if it concerns health, wealth, or prestige, and it will almost certainly be a best-seller. In recent years the “how to” books written by those who made it “big” and “fast” are proliferating. The American people want to realize their share of the “American Dream” and will pay to know where the shortcuts to success are. But what are the principles of success? Have they really been discovered? Yes, in the Sacred Scriptures.

** We are concerned for justice, the rights of the unborn, the disadvantaged, the afflicted, minority groups, and for women. What moral obligations in a “Christian” nation do the "haves" have toward the "have-nots." Why, in the richest nation the world has ever known, do we have more people today sleeping on sidewalks, in cardboard boxes, and eating in "soup kitchens," than any time since the great depression of '29. Why, in a nation that would call itself "Christian," are most -- not all for sure -- of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Why?

** And, among many other things, why do we continue to suffer from unhappy marriages, and divorces (America, a “Christian” nation, now leads, the polls say), and broken homes. What is the truth about why couples who once loved one another dearly, and vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, now have forsaken their vows of fidelity and purity. What is the truth about so many unhappy homes. (A fine article by Mack Lyon available upon request.)

** What is the truth about the divided conditions of Christianity, and the multiplied sects (denominations)? Why are more and more cults arising all the time, and the support in money and allegiance given them? Why are the "health and wealth" leaders, all claiming to follow the lowly Jesus, attracting so many to them(selves)?

What is the truth about congregational government. What authority do the elders have over the saints? What is the proper work of deacons? Of evangelists? What has happened to the old time enthusiasm that we all remember in connection with the Lord's Day, and the Gospel Meetings, and special affairs. What is the truth?

** What is the truth about the doctrine of the Holy Spirit? The Bible clearly teaches that all the saved must have, or possess, the Spirit of Christ, and the children of God are led by the Spirit of God. (Rom. 8:8,14.) What is the truth?

When Pilate was trying to decide the fate of Jesus he asked, "What is truth." But he then walked away, and did not wait for an answer. Jesus could have told him, couldn't he?

The word in the Greek language that gives us truth in the English is aletheia. It is a compound of "a" (alpha) plus a word which means "to escape notice, to be unknown, unseen, hidden, concealed." In Greek, putting the "a" or "alpha" before another word gives it the opposite meaning of the original word. We all perhaps recognize the word "Theos" for God. Well, then a-theos is atheist, or a nonbeliever in God. The Greek idea of truth is therefore that which is unconcealed, unhidden; that which will bear scrutiny and investigation, that which is open to the light of day. "Truth will out" is an old proverb well spoken. I am reminded of Hebrews 4:12,

"For the word of God is quick (which means alive), and powerful (which means active), and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts."

Now the word sincerely studied will help us to see exactly what condition our heart is in, what direction our thinking is taking, what the motives of our intentions are, whether good or bad. And the next verse says,

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him (God) with whom we have to do" (v.13).

The writer is saying that God examines, and sees things as they really are, not with prejudice, bias, respect of persons, color of skin, or social class. Economic class, or being in the same hunting or fishing club, or having any other common interest, has nothing whatever to do with God's judgment. Man too often looks upon the outward appearance, and approves of what he likes, and disapproves of what he dislikes, but God looks upon the heart, and sees the real man as he is.

(In Ephesians 5:9, where Paul says that "truth" is a fruit of the spirit, some translations say "light." In other words, this fruit is what is real, not what seems to be, or appears to be, but what is real. Let's substitute truth for light in a well known passage, 1 John 1:1-5:

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. and these things write we unto you, that you joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is (truth) and in him is no (falsehood) at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in (falsehood), we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the (truth), as he is in the (truth), we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:1-7).

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:1,2; 14).

"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (8:31,32); "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (14:6).

As the light of the world we read of Jesus as the "true light" (John 1:9) and the "true bread" (6:32). Jesus says of Himself that he is the "true vine" (15:1), and says of the Father, "He that sent me is true" (John 7:28). John calls God the "only true God" (17:3), and Paul adds, the "living and true God" (1 Thess. 1:9). The Hebrew writer speaks of "the true tabernacle" (8:2), and "the true holy place" (9:24), and we ought to draw near to God with a "true heart" (10:22). Jesus also says to the woman at the well in Samaria that the Father seeks "true worshippers" and these "shall worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). In the Revelation the idea of truth is repeated over and over: God is "holy and true" (6:10); "just and true" are his ways (15:3); "just and righteous" are his judgments (16:7, 19:2). His sayings are "true" (19:9). Jesus tells John to "write, for these words are true and faithful" (21:5), and, "these sayings are faithful and true" (22:6).

The God of Truth and Righteousness demands that we speak and hold fast to truth. “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. . . . (Eph 4:25). “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;” (5:9).

Many, many years ago the wisest man that ever lived -- other than Jesus -- said: "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Pro. 23:23). Solomon does not tell us what it will cost, but urges that it be bought, and apparently at whatever cost. Fortunately, truth usually does not take gold or silver, but a sincere and diligent desire for it. A yearning for it. Jesus once said about righteousness, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." The same could be said for truth!

All truth is precious. It is so because of it's intrinsic value, for spiritual truth is the Word of the Almighty God. It has intrinsic value. It is also precious because of its utility. The benefit was summed up by the Lord, when he said, "This is Life Eternal, to know the one true and Living God" (Our next article will concern “the peace which passeth all understanding . . .” (Phi 4:7).