What Is Truth?
The Battle for Truth: Standing Firm in a World of Deception
We live in an age where truth seems increasingly elusive. Every day, we're bombarded with conflicting messages, competing narratives, and endless debates about what is real and what matters. Into this chaos echoes an ancient question posed centuries ago: "What is truth?"
This question, asked by Pontius Pilate as he stood face-to-face with Jesus Christ, remains one of the most haunting inquiries in all of Scripture. Was it asked with genuine curiosity? Was it cynical skepticism? We may never know Pilate's tone, but we do know this: the question itself reveals a profound human struggle that persists to this day.
Defining Truth: What Is Really Real
At its core, truth is simply what is really real. Philosophers call it "prime reality"—the actual state of things as they exist, not as we wish them to be or perceive them to be. Every piece of knowledge we possess, every decision we make, every belief we hold comes from one of two sources: truth or lies. There is no middle ground.
This binary reality should give us pause. It means that much of what shapes our lives, influences our choices, and forms our worldview is either anchored in reality or built on deception. The stakes couldn't be higher.
The Fight for Truth
Make no mistake: we are in a battle. Truth is under aggressive assault, and this is nothing new. From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, the enemy's strategy has been to cast doubt on God's word. "Did God really say?" the serpent whispered to Eve. That simple question planted seeds of uncertainty that led to humanity's fall.
The Apostle Paul warned the Colossian church to "see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8). This captures the essence of spiritual warfare—not primarily a battle against people, but against ideas, against deceptive philosophies that seek to hold us captive.
Evil is not passive. It doesn't rest. It works aggressively and progressively through the spreading of lies, seeking to bind us in deception while truth offers freedom.
As the early church father Athanasius boldly declared: "If the world is against truth, I am against the world." This must be our stance as well.
The Source of Truth
So where do we find truth in a world saturated with lies? The answer is beautifully clear in Scripture.
God Himself is the source of all truth. Psalm 31:5 calls Him the "God of truth." Isaiah 65:16 repeats this designation twice in a single verse, emphasizing that blessing and covenant-keeping flow from the "God of truth." Truth is not merely something God speaks—it is His essential character. He IS truth.
But God hasn't left us to wonder how to access this truth. He has revealed it through multiple channels:
The Gospel: Ephesians 1:13 describes "the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation." The good news of Jesus Christ is truth embodied in a message.
God's Word: Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17). Scripture is trustworthy precisely because it is true, and it is the means by which God sets us apart and transforms us.
The Holy Spirit: John 16:13 introduces us to "the Spirit of truth" who guides believers into all truth. What a comfort to know that we have divine help in discerning reality from deception!
Jesus Christ: The culmination of truth is found in Jesus Himself, who declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Truth isn't just a concept or a set of propositions—it's a person.
The Enemy of Truth
If God is the source of truth, Satan is its sworn enemy. Jesus pulled no punches when describing the devil: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).
Satan hasn't changed his tactics because they remain devastatingly effective. He still whispers, "Did God really say?" He still seeks to make us doubt, to confuse, to deceive.
Two particular lies dominate our cultural moment:
Moral Relativism: The idea that "you have your truth, I have mine"—captured in the phrase "you do you." This philosophy denies objective truth and makes each person their own god, accountable to no one but themselves. It's appealing because it promises freedom, but it actually enslaves us to our own limited perspective and fallen nature.
Confusion About Identity: Our culture increasingly teaches that biological sex and gender are fluid, changeable, and determined by feelings rather than reality. We celebrate sin and encourage people to identify themselves by their brokenness rather than by their creation in the image of God (Imago Dei). When we define ourselves by our sin rather than our Creator, we diminish our God-given dignity and value.
These lies are not harmless philosophical positions—they destroy lives, families, and souls.
The Result of Truth
Standing on truth in today's world comes with a cost. You may be called names, labeled a bigot, or accused of prejudice. Jesus warned that the world would hate His followers just as it hated Him.
But there is also tremendous blessing in embracing truth. Jesus promised, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). While Satan's lies bind and imprison, God's truth liberates. It frees us from guilt, shame, confusion, and the tyranny of our own limited understanding. It brings us into right relationship with our Creator and gives us peace that transcends circumstances.
The Tragedy of Pilate
The great tragedy of Pilate's question isn't just that he asked it—it's that he asked it while standing face-to-face with the very embodiment of truth. Jesus, the Truth personified, stood before him, yet Pilate turned away.
We must not make the same mistake. Truth has been revealed to us. God has spoken through His Word, His Spirit, and His Son. The question is not whether truth exists or where to find it. The question is whether we will embrace it.
In a world of deception, confusion, and competing narratives, we have an anchor. We have a source of absolute, reliable, transforming truth. And when the Son sets us free, we are free indeed.
Grace and peace,
We live in an age where truth seems increasingly elusive. Every day, we're bombarded with conflicting messages, competing narratives, and endless debates about what is real and what matters. Into this chaos echoes an ancient question posed centuries ago: "What is truth?"
This question, asked by Pontius Pilate as he stood face-to-face with Jesus Christ, remains one of the most haunting inquiries in all of Scripture. Was it asked with genuine curiosity? Was it cynical skepticism? We may never know Pilate's tone, but we do know this: the question itself reveals a profound human struggle that persists to this day.
Defining Truth: What Is Really Real
At its core, truth is simply what is really real. Philosophers call it "prime reality"—the actual state of things as they exist, not as we wish them to be or perceive them to be. Every piece of knowledge we possess, every decision we make, every belief we hold comes from one of two sources: truth or lies. There is no middle ground.
This binary reality should give us pause. It means that much of what shapes our lives, influences our choices, and forms our worldview is either anchored in reality or built on deception. The stakes couldn't be higher.
The Fight for Truth
Make no mistake: we are in a battle. Truth is under aggressive assault, and this is nothing new. From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, the enemy's strategy has been to cast doubt on God's word. "Did God really say?" the serpent whispered to Eve. That simple question planted seeds of uncertainty that led to humanity's fall.
The Apostle Paul warned the Colossian church to "see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8). This captures the essence of spiritual warfare—not primarily a battle against people, but against ideas, against deceptive philosophies that seek to hold us captive.
Evil is not passive. It doesn't rest. It works aggressively and progressively through the spreading of lies, seeking to bind us in deception while truth offers freedom.
As the early church father Athanasius boldly declared: "If the world is against truth, I am against the world." This must be our stance as well.
The Source of Truth
So where do we find truth in a world saturated with lies? The answer is beautifully clear in Scripture.
God Himself is the source of all truth. Psalm 31:5 calls Him the "God of truth." Isaiah 65:16 repeats this designation twice in a single verse, emphasizing that blessing and covenant-keeping flow from the "God of truth." Truth is not merely something God speaks—it is His essential character. He IS truth.
But God hasn't left us to wonder how to access this truth. He has revealed it through multiple channels:
The Gospel: Ephesians 1:13 describes "the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation." The good news of Jesus Christ is truth embodied in a message.
God's Word: Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17). Scripture is trustworthy precisely because it is true, and it is the means by which God sets us apart and transforms us.
The Holy Spirit: John 16:13 introduces us to "the Spirit of truth" who guides believers into all truth. What a comfort to know that we have divine help in discerning reality from deception!
Jesus Christ: The culmination of truth is found in Jesus Himself, who declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Truth isn't just a concept or a set of propositions—it's a person.
The Enemy of Truth
If God is the source of truth, Satan is its sworn enemy. Jesus pulled no punches when describing the devil: "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).
Satan hasn't changed his tactics because they remain devastatingly effective. He still whispers, "Did God really say?" He still seeks to make us doubt, to confuse, to deceive.
Two particular lies dominate our cultural moment:
Moral Relativism: The idea that "you have your truth, I have mine"—captured in the phrase "you do you." This philosophy denies objective truth and makes each person their own god, accountable to no one but themselves. It's appealing because it promises freedom, but it actually enslaves us to our own limited perspective and fallen nature.
Confusion About Identity: Our culture increasingly teaches that biological sex and gender are fluid, changeable, and determined by feelings rather than reality. We celebrate sin and encourage people to identify themselves by their brokenness rather than by their creation in the image of God (Imago Dei). When we define ourselves by our sin rather than our Creator, we diminish our God-given dignity and value.
These lies are not harmless philosophical positions—they destroy lives, families, and souls.
The Result of Truth
Standing on truth in today's world comes with a cost. You may be called names, labeled a bigot, or accused of prejudice. Jesus warned that the world would hate His followers just as it hated Him.
But there is also tremendous blessing in embracing truth. Jesus promised, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). While Satan's lies bind and imprison, God's truth liberates. It frees us from guilt, shame, confusion, and the tyranny of our own limited understanding. It brings us into right relationship with our Creator and gives us peace that transcends circumstances.
The Tragedy of Pilate
The great tragedy of Pilate's question isn't just that he asked it—it's that he asked it while standing face-to-face with the very embodiment of truth. Jesus, the Truth personified, stood before him, yet Pilate turned away.
We must not make the same mistake. Truth has been revealed to us. God has spoken through His Word, His Spirit, and His Son. The question is not whether truth exists or where to find it. The question is whether we will embrace it.
In a world of deception, confusion, and competing narratives, we have an anchor. We have a source of absolute, reliable, transforming truth. And when the Son sets us free, we are free indeed.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Kirk Flaa
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