The Truth

We have probably all heard this joke which some people like to tell with different variations: How do you know when a politician is lying? How do you know when an attorney is lying? How do you know when a used car salesman is lying? How do you know when a cable news reporter is lying? Etc. The answer: When they open their mouths. Ha, ha, ha!

I apologize for this “cheap shot” joke which makes fun of some honorable professions. However, it does remind us that people often feel taken advantage of, deceived, or lied to in life. This, in turn, can lead to distrust of and defensiveness toward others. It can result in some people no longer knowing who or what to believe.

I believe we have seen it repeatedly during the current year. For example, many people don’t know who or what to believe concerning the numerous Covid 19 questions. The same has been true with the endless Washington D.C. investigations. What can you really believe coming from competing talk show hosts or network news reporters? How much of what we hear is “fake news?” What about the so-called climate change experts? How about all of the claims and promises of the multitude of political candidates running for office?

With all of the competing claims, opinions, and information sources available to us, it can be difficult at times to know what is true and what is false. It can be very difficult to know who or what to believe or trust. However, there is one source that we can believe and trust without reservation. It is the Word of God – the Bible.

The Bible speaks to the most important issues concerning life and death. It addresses everything we need to know about life on earth and eternal life to come. It is the most read, most printed, most purchased, and most believed book of all time. And those of us who are convinced it is completely true trust in what God himself has said about his Word.

You can find these quotes in both the Old and New Testaments: “…The word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” “LORD…all your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

The Lord Jesus Christ, who was the living Word of God, also spoke the truth in Scripture. He said: “…for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

So where do you turn to in order to hear what is really true? Who do you listen to in order to hear the truth? In these days of distrust, when so many people feel deceived or lied to, listen to God speaking through his eternal Word. It is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.