WHAT IS TRUTH?
That is the question raised by Pilate, when trying to discern the difference between the statements given by Jesus at His trial and those answers of His accusers.
It’s a question that goes back to Genesis, when the serpent poses the question of what God really said when he confronted Eve about God’s instructions in the Garden. Did God really mean what He said then? Did Jesus really mean what He said in front of Pilate? Did Christ’s accusers tell the truth in their accusations?
Today it’s probably even that much harder to determine the veracity of anything. With all the information, data, and “expert” opinions of every type it’s harder than ever to answer the question “what is truth” with all those words flowing back and forth.
In many ways, truth is like trust. A young child who totally trusts their parents. They have no fear, no inhibitions, or no falsity in their presence. Likewise, Adam and Eve had no fear initially before God. It was only after the deception, that fear and questioning entered the scene and man started to hide from his Creator.
Man has actually been hiding from God ever since and has been making up their own rules in which to place trust. But since we now make the parameters by which we conduct our lives, different bodies comprise differs regulations, different organizations report events from differing perspectives, and people interpret outcomes in ways which support preconceived notions.
In a way, we all believe what we wish to believe and so in a sense make up our own truth. We have essentially gone back in time to where Israel was at the end of the period of the Judges when “ there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25)
Today, we are inundated with news that some consider false, with information that seems to be altered according to the beliefs of who is providing or interpreting the data, and results which seem to favour one side or the other often depending on which of the two sides is more forceful in their viewpoint. Often, however, remains the question “What is truth?”.
Perhaps this is why the Bible speaks so much about having the ability of discernment. “Give therefore Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad” (1 Kings 3:9). And also to “…discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who serves Him not” (Malachi 3:16). Furthermore, in Hebrews 5:14 “…those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Jesus said, “I am the truth” (John 14:6). The Bible states “thy word is truth” (John 17:17) and “you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Matthew 18:3 states “unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
So are we able to act as children do before a parent? Do we have the trust that The Truth implies we should have? Do we really feel free?
What is truth?
It’s really something to think about!
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