Psalm 8:3 (NLT) - When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place…
The north star, or Polaris, is famous for never moving, even as the rest of the sky moves around it.
No matter where we are in the world, in what country or culture, north is north.
In the same way that north is north, Truth is Truth.
Dangerous Illusions: What we feel in the moment can lie to us, and what we think we see in the moment can lie to us. Human beings are susceptible to disorientation, confusion, and poor judgment.
** Jesus championed truth.**
John 18:37 (ESV) - For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Whether someone believes it or is willing to acknowledge its source, the truth is the truth.
Jesus said that Satan is the source of all lies.
John 8:44 (NIV) - …He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
All lies originate with Satan.
Remember: Jesus was the Word of God in the flesh.
John 1:14 (NIV) - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus is the embodiment of all of the truths, the standards, the wisdom, and the heart of Father God.
When truth is suppressed, chaos abounds.
Romans 1:18 (NIV) - The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
To suppress something means to “hold it down.”
• To restrict it
• To limit it
• To not allow it
The absence of truth is the destruction of people.
• Lies destroy:
o People
o Families
o Communities
o Nations
“In a world of non-truth telling the truth is one of the most revolutionary things you can do.”
o George Orwell
Truth is the language of Love:
1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV) – Love rejoices with the truth.
Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) - Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
The truth is what frees us from the “dangerous illusions ” that cause us to freeze to death in the lies we believe.
An inconvenient truth is much better than a convenient lie.
The more you live in alignment with truth, the better your life will be.
Discussion Questions:
- Read John 8:44. How does this statement by Jesus reframe the way you think about the reason he died for you?
- How has Jesus championed truth in your life?
- How has the supression of truth impacted how you see yourself, the world, or life?
- Read Ephesians 4:15. Do you believe that truth is the language of love? Why or why not?
- Is it hard or difficult for you the tell the truth or speak the truth to someone who needs to hear it? Why or why not?
- What are some ways you can practice speaking truth, but wrapping it in grace at the same time?