I was working in the other room when I heard them shouting.
“Stay away from me!” “I don’t want to play with you any more!” “You’re mean!”
I hurried out to the living room to find my little boy and his two friends about to start punching each other. “Whoa, whoa! Hold on guys! What is going on?”
They all started shouting at once, anger and conflicting stories mixing together until I shook my head and said “Stop! We need to sit and talk so we can all really hear each other.”
I sat them each down (well apart!) and began a very moderated discussion. Each child was allowed to speak until he had said all he needed to say, with only two rules: No unkind words, and no one else was permitted to speak until he was finished.
My goal? To learn the truth.
How Do We Know What is True?
Figuring out the truth can be a challenge in relationships. When two people have conflicting stories about a certain situation, it is not necessarily because one is intentionally lying (though it can be.) It can simply be because perspectives differ. How we perceive the world is based on our world view, and if our world view is not based on truth, the result is profoundly warped.
We see this all the time in media. The way a news story is reported reflects the point of view of the reporter. More and more news outlets have cropped up that reflect very specific ideologies.
Today not only in philosophy but in politics, government, and individual morality, our generation sees solutions in terms of synthesis and not absolutes. When this happens, truth, as people have always thought of truth, has died. – Francis Schaeffer
In the middle of all this truth-from-my-perspective, how do we discern what is really true?
His Word is Truth
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. – Psalm 119:160
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
The Word of God is our reliable source of truth. We can look to it for guidance in our daily lives and to lay down a godly worldview.
This is one of the reasons it is important to spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word. The more you know scripture, the easier it is to recognize divergences from it.
He is Truth
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Jesus Himself is truth. He is full of truth, and He is truth. While the winds of this world will try to blow us off course, we can count on Jesus. We turn to His words and example in scripture, we turn to Him in prayer.
There is Freedom in Truth
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
There is profound freedom in knowing the truth. Until the truth is made known, we are faced with roadblocks at every turn. Decisions are difficult to make, and healthy relationships are impossible.
So what happened with the children? Each boy had a completely different perspective on what had happened. Each had sinned in some way, yet was focusing more on the others’ sin. When they finally heard the truth, they had compassion for one another and were able to ask for and receive forgiveness. They were freed from their bitterness.
Free Printable of Truth Scriptures
Below you will find a printable of truth scriptures. I encourage you to spend some time pondering these verses about truth, and what it means to say that Jesus Himself is truth. Print out this list of truth scriptures and hang them where you can see them regularly. Walk in truth!
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Terrific resource! So often the truth seems like a nebulous, impossible goal. What a comfort to know we can rely on The Truth and His Word.
That story truly gave me what I needed. I try to do this with my young ones, they seem to battle all the tie. Seeking the truth is a sure way to eliminate confusion. Thanks! For sharing God’s Word.