“What is Truth?”

Two thousand years ago, Pilate asked this same question (John 18:38a). There seems to be no lack of voices giving one answer or another, to the question, “What is Truth?”

Yahushua’s Disciple named Thomas heard the following answer, which is true for us today:

Jesus saith unto him, “I am … the truth…” (John 14:6a)

Messiah Yahushua tells us that He Himself is The Truth. As we saw in Grace-Grace, Yahushua becomes manifest to us, as Believers, by the Holy Spirit, when we allow Him to live in us — in the same way that He lived in His own body 2,000 years ago. Thus it is, that the Truth, which is the person of Yahushua Himself, begins to be made plain to us, as we allow Him to live in us, and as we begin to obey or walk in the Truth.

Notice the words of John:

“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God (John 3:21)

Notice in this verse that Truth is something that is done! We may read the Truth of the Scriptures and say we believe it, but we are believing it only when we begin to act on, and do, that Truth. Likewise, Messiah may be living in us, but it is only when we are acting on Truth, or rather, when we allow Him-in-us to act on Truth, that the revealing of Messiah in us occurs, and is seen (made manifest) in our deeds.

Scripture is Truth

The English word ‘truth’ occurs 237 times in the Bible. This number ‘237’ is prophetic itself, and gives testimony of the source of Truth. We see from Numbers in Scripture that this number consists of 37, which speaks of the Word of Yahuweh, and 200, which speaks of 2 x 100, or “two working together to produce the glory.”

Combining the meanings of these numbers, we understand that the Truth of Yahuweh is the Glorious Word of Yahuweh working within us, and that the Living Word of the person of Messiah is the Foundation and Cornerstone of His Glorious Kingdom.

Yahushua declared that The Father’s Word is Truth (John 17:17b). King David declared: “thy Law [Torah] is the truth” (Psalms 119:142). All the Word of Yahuweh is true “from the beginning” (Psalm 119:160). It is evident that the Truth of Yahuweh encompasses all of Scripture, and is according to the Scriptures. We can not pick-and-choose what we prefer of the Truth, or what we think is no longer valid. Does Truth change? What does Yahuweh say? “For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Mal 3:6).

When Yahushua said, “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63b), He was referring to the entire collection of Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation! Many today have forgotten, that as the Word of Yahuweh, Yahushua Himself spoke all the words of Torah, including those He gave to Moses!

Yahuweh’s Word, in its entirety, is true from beginning to end, and His Word has the inherent ability to impart His Life to us, by the Holy Spirit.

We are Born-Again by the Truth

Scripture reveals some details of how we are born again. Notice the following passages:

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1Peter 1:23)

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18)

From Scripture, we see that the Word of Truth is the Seed which is the person of Yahushua, planted within us as a seed, when we are Born Again. After we become Born Again, it is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who will guide us, and lead us into the Way of Truth:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79)

Here we see that the Holy Spirit does not ‘zap’ us with Truth, but He guides us, as we proceed, into the Way of Truth, which is the Way of peace with Yahuweh.

A Few Truth Instructions for Us

There are many ‘Truth’ instructions for us scattered throughout the Scriptures. A few of these are:

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2Thessalonians 2:13)

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (1Peter 1:22)

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. (2John 1:4)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3John 1:4)

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. (Psalms 25:5)

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. (Psalms 86:11)

We see in the above passages that we are to believe the Truth, speak the Truth, know the Truth, obey the Truth, be led in the Truth, and walk in the Truth. Believing and knowing Truth in our mental agreement is not enough. To know Truth we must walk in it also — we must be obedient to the Truth.

Notice that we are set free only by that Truth that we know (John 8:32) — by that Truth we actually experience, as Adam “knew” Eve — by that Truth we walk in, by the Grace and ability Messiah-in-us gives to us.

Some Results of Walking in Truth

When we begin to obey the Truth, and allow Him reign over us, as a King reigns over His subjects, we then cease being His enemy, and begin to be his friend, resulting in fellowship with Him and others.

When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)

But those mine enemies, which would not (wanted not) that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:27)

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1John 1:6-7)

Notice that as long as we do not allow Him to reign over us as the new Master, our ways do not please Him, and we are still His enemy. But when we begin to obey Him and to allow Him to walk in us, there will be some visible results. As we begin to become “DO-ers” of the Truth, we are walking no longer in darkness, but in the Light. It is then that our ways please Him, and we have fellowship with Him.

Again, we can see from Scriptures some additional results of walking in Truth. A few of these are noted below:

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (Galatians 4:16)

When we ourselves begin to walk in Truth, we find out that we are treated as “enemies” by some — by those who do not love the Truth. This is what happened to our Master, as He walked in Truth, and as He encountered those who were in error.

Beloved, it will be the same for us! Being treated as an ‘enemy,’ by former close friends, will become one visible evidence that we are actually walking in the Living truth, as we allow “Messiah-in-us” to walk in His own Truth, while living in us. The result we see from the Scriptures is that the Living Truth, Messiah-in-us, comes like a Sword:

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. (Matthew 10:34-36)

The result we see from the Scriptures is that the Living Truth, Yahushua-in-us, comes like a Sword, to divide Truth from error. It is Yahushua Himself, living within us, who brings division between those that love the Truth, from those that do not love the Truth! Yahuweh is simply looking to see who loves Him, and who does not — and this is revealed by our actions, and by the actions of others with whom we interact.

Truth – Or Error?

We must pause here, to give warning! Whether we walk in Truth, or in error, we will encounter conflict with others. It is very common to experience attacks from the cults, from those trapped in the Denominations, from those of other beliefs, and even from heathens, who are in the wrong. But, how will we ever know if they — or we — are the one walking in error? Somehow we must be able to test everything, in order to make sure WE are not the one who has become deceived. How do we do this?

If I am not walking in Truth, but walking in error, I will encounter those who reveal Truth to me, but who appear to be enemies, simply because they oppose my error — the error I understand as Truth. Thus it is very easy for me, if I am deceived, to think that I am walking in Truth — that I am the one who is right. If I am deceived and in error, it is easy to think that those who oppose ME in MY understanding, do not love the Truth! So, how can I ever learn something that ‘Self’ does not already know? What is the solution?

There is a tendency for ‘Self’ to think that I am in the center of Truth, in the Bullseye of Truth, and that all who oppose me in my understanding are ‘off base’ and in error. The tendency for Self to be pre-eminent is a primary feature of human nature! This sense of being right or being correct in all that is Truth, is the very expression of ‘self’ that prevents us from advancing in our knowledge of the Truth!

In this way, our ‘Self’ [the ‘natural man’ in 1Corinthians 2:14] can actually prevent us from growing in Grace, and in the knowledge of Messiah Yahushua, and of the Father (2Peter 3:17-18). How do we remove Self from our decision-making, so that only the Holy Spirit can lead us into Truth?

King ‘Self’ Must Die!

According to Scripture, there is only one solution to the problem of ‘Self’ ruling and reigning in our lives, and of being the only decision-maker for what is True. Notice what the apostle Paul tells us:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Paul tells us that in order to enter into the will of Yahuweh, we must first make a living sacrifice. This is not a sacrifice of a dead body, but is an offering up of our ‘Self’ life, which must be put on the altar, and given up to Yahuweh, to die. We must offer up our own living ‘Self’ as a sacrifice to Yahuweh (Rom 12:1-2).

This living sacrifice must not be a partial sacrifice. Thus in order to be a true sacrifice, it will include everything of Self: first, it will be our own understanding; then our ambitions, our thought life, our fleshly life, our carnal sense of freedom, even the way we think everything ought to be.

It is only then, when we truly yield our all to the Father, that we may become transformed, or transfigured as the Greek word indicates, and as we love not the world or the things of this world. It is only then, that we begin to understand, and to prove, the Will of Yahuweh, and the Truth of Scripture, according to Romans 12:1-2, and seen in many Scriptures, including (Romans 8:4-5, 8:13, 12:1-2; 1Corinthians 8:1b; Galatians 5:24; 1Peter 4:1-2; 2Peter 1:20-21; Proverbs 3:5) and many others.

For it is only as we allow King ‘Self’ to die, in the many areas of life, that our new King Yahushua can bring Resurrection Life to that area of life. No death, no Resurrection. Thus there is much incentive for us to bring Self to the altar. For some practical descriptions of how we may bring Death to Self, see Dying to Self.

As we begin to allow Self to die, we become more teachable. In Scripture, this quality of having a teachable heart or spirit is called “being as little children.”

As Little Children

Imagine a classroom full of little children, and you, as the teacher, begin to teach the children their math lesson: that “one plus one equals 2.” What would it be like, if many of the children argued with you, telling you they heard that was not true, and that they believed something else. Would these little children say such things? No! Little children are not like that! Little Children are Teachable! Perhaps that is why Yahushua said:

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

It takes a child-like attitude, to receive things of Truth! And little children do not argue against Truth, nor do they hold to their opinions! Notice in the above passage Yahushua tells us it is only those who have a ‘Little Children’ attitude that will enter in to the Kingdom! Perhaps this is why the next passage is addressed only to Little Children:

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (Galatians 4:19)

The apostle Paul knew that only those with a Little Children attitude of receiving Truth, would become those in whom Messiah would be formed within them, and who have Messiah-in-you as their only hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27). It is these manifesting Messiah-in-you who will enter in (See The Way of Salvation: Part 2- Israel as Our Example).

Thus to avoid deception, we must first be as little Children, to listen, and receive, and be Teachable. Then we must examine ourselves in everything, and test all we hear, test all we have been taught, test ALL our current doctrines and understandings against the Scriptures, and vigourously lay the ax to the root of anything that is against the Scriptures! It may be that we are the one in error, and that we are the one deceived!

For details of how to we may acquire an attitude of Teachableness, see Acquiring A Teachable Heart. For details of how to we are to test ourselves, our Faith, and our Doctrines against the Scriptures, see the references at the end of this page.
With these warnings in mind, let us now look at some results of NOT walking in Truth.

Some Results of NOT Walking in Truth

Scripture reveals a progression of what happens to those who do not love, nor believe the Truth:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Timothy 4:3-4)

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (Titus 1:13-14)

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (Romans 2:8)

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Let us keep in mind, that the downward spiral being described in the above passages have come over many centuries, gradually but almost unnoticeably, over a long time span. Here we see some warnings for all Believers. First, we are told the time will come [and is here now] that men will turn away from the Biblical Truth, and will begin to believe the fables spun by the Theologians as being true instead. What was believed and practiced among the early Disciples is no longer believed or taught today.

Next we see that what the Theologians have taught concerning things being ‘Jewish’ [and therefore not for New Covenant Believers] are ‘fables,’ and are Commandments of Men, that turn men away from Biblical Truth. Then, we see that Yahuweh’s indignation and wrath remains on those who do not obey the Truth, which is all of Scripture.

Next, we notice that they received not the love of the truth so that they might be saved. This is not talking about what most people think of as being ‘saved.’ This passage is talking about Biblical Salvation. As we saw in The Way of Salvation: According to the Scriptures, Biblical Salvation includes the entire process, both the coming out stage and the entering in stage, of Salvation.

Last, we see that since these did not love the Biblical Truth enough to search it out with all their heart, Yahuweh sent them a delusion that resulted in their believing a Lie! This is the stage most of the Believing world is in today!

These and other passages of Scripture reveal that there are serious consequences that come as a result of rejecting Yahuweh’s Biblical Truth. Hence it should be of utmost importance to do whatever it takes, to find the Truth, and to weed out the error!

Is it possible that many who received not the love of the Truth, may have heard Biblical Truth, but thought it was a Lie? Even Biblical Truth, when compared to the fables one believes, may appear to be a Lie, as we see in (Romans 1:25)!

It appears that our generation of church-goers are mentioned in the following passage:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)

When one is wise or prudent in his own eyes, he is unable to learn Biblical Truth from the other Little Children, and so he will receive nothing but woe, unless that one repents!

It is the teaching of the invisible Jezebel spirit today that is seducing, and causing most Believers to alter their behaviour, drawing them away unto what amounts to spiritual adultery and fornication, a form of worship according to the idols of someone’s own understanding. In Revelation 2:20 we see one example of this Jezebel-inspired idolatry, regarding eating things sacrificed to idols, describing the counterfeit Lord’s Supper decreed by Rome, in place of the Biblical Lord’s Supper, which is called the Passover.

The Goal of Truth

Finally, we must ask, What is the purpose or goal of our instruction, and of our walking in Truth? Scriptures tell us the answer:

Now the end [goal] of the commandment is charity [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (1Timothy 1:5)

The goal of our instruction, of our living and walking in the Commandments, is Love. All the purposes of Yahuweh are wrapped up into this one little word of Love. Indeed, one of the main purposes of the New Covenant is to reveal, by our actions, those who love Yahuweh, and those who do not love Him.

It is our actions — what we do when confronted with Truth — that reveal our love for Yahuweh, or our lack of love for Him. This is an ongoing process. The Holy Spirit challenges us, morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear… (Isaiah 50:4). May our hearts be tender, our ears attentive, to the still, small voice of our Master Yahuweh, that we may obey and love Him out of a pure heart!

Conclusion

Yahuweh is using Truth to continually bring separation and division.

Yahuweh is dividing the wheat from the chaff; He is dividing the sheep from the goats; He is continually calling men to come out from among them, and be separate.

It is this continual, ongoing division, of dividing of Truth from error, that will, at completion, reveal Yahuweh’s Firstfruit Harvest.

This is the Harvest of those who truly Love Him — of those who walk in Truth, according to the Scriptures.

Proceed to What You Believe: True or False? The Simple Biblical Test.