7 Reasons Truth Matters and Why You Should Care

Scripture repeatedly affirms truth as one of God’s divine attributes.  

Jesus himself says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  Psalm 119:160 describes the sum of God’s word as truth, and Isaiah 45:19 confirms God speaks truth and declares what is right.  Hebrews 6:18 states it’s impossible for God to lie, and the Holy Spirit is repeatedly referred to as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13).

Truth doesn’t stand outside of God.  It’s embodied in His very essence.

As we spend time in His Word, the Spirit increases our knowledge of truth and in turn we come to know God more deeply.  

The opposite also applies.  As we grow in understanding of God’s infinite nature, we are enlightened to what is true. 

In the gospel of John, Jesus identifies Satan as the father of lies and says it’s not possible for him to stand in truth since there is no truth in him (John 8:44).  

The enemy remains alive and well in the world today, and he is good at what he does (just ask Eve). He misleads multitudes with lies dressed as attractive half-truths and threatens to vilify those who dare question their validity.  

Scripture warns multiple times about the presence of false teachers, the tactics of wolves in sheep’s clothing, and the god of this age who blinds the minds of unbelievers so they can’t recognize Christ for who He is (2 Tim. 4:3-4, Matt. 7:15, 2 Cor. 4:4, Matt. 13:19, 1 John 4:1-3, 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 1 Tim. 6:20-21, Rom. 16:17, Matt. 24:4-5, Gal. 1:6-9, Mark 13:21-22, Rev 12:9).  

As believers, we should recognize the urgency of grounding ourselves in the truth of God’s Word and asking the Spirit to illuminate our minds to guard against deception – no matter how good it looks on the surface.

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus doesn’t forbid all judging.

Immediately following His often quoted (and misinterpreted) ‘Do not judge’ command, Jesus instructs His kingdom people to practice right judgment (Matt. 7:6). 

Different from the hypocritical judgment He previously condemned, right judgment is necessary to distinguish between truth and error and to discern what is good from what is better.  Ultimately, it’s necessary to discover God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Not only is discernment a spiritual gift imparted to specific believers for the service of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:10), it’s available to all maturing believers who are studying and applying God’s Word as the Spirit equips (Heb. 5:13-14).  

Since Jesus commands it and the Spirit gifts and empowers it, the discipline of spiritual discernment is something believers should aim to practice. But without the perfect standard of truth revealed in God’s unchanging Word, it is impossible to do so.

Our beliefs matter because they motivate the way we live.  Whether we realize it or not, how we see the world impacts our every thought, word, and action.  

If God’s Word is truth and truth is what is real, then the only way to accurately interpret reality is with a biblical worldview.  

If we want to be doers of truth, not just knowers or hearers (James 1:22), loving God and others in action and in truth (1 John 3:18), we must first ensure our beliefs (and the filter we use to process them) are rooted in the truth of His Word. 

If we don’t, we risk knowing Him but failing to honor Him, exchanging the truth of God for a lie and ultimately worshiping the creature instead of the Creator (Rom. 1:20-25).

When we’re seeking God in the truth of His Word, we can rest assured that the Spirit of Truth will guide us in living according to His commands, walking in His true way (Ps. 86:11), bearing good fruit (Eph. 5:9), and obeying in righteousness (Rom. 6:16-18).

Many are quick to embrace God in the New Testament but shut the book on God in the Old, assuming all that wrath and fury was for them then, not us now.   

If we pick and choose passages to live by without opening our hearts and minds to the beauty, goodness, and truth present in the fullness of God’s Word, we miss the richness and depth of the intimate relationship our God offers.

Without the truth of God’s whole Word as our firm foundation, we’re easily deceived by half-truths that entice because they sound good and loving and kind, and, if we are honest, easier to accept and share in a culture that isn’t exactly welcoming to those who uphold the inerrancy of Scripture.   

When we start spreading these same misguided beliefs, regardless of how well-intentioned, we share a flawed version of the true gospel – informed not by the whole of Scripture but by our own imperfect feelings and experiences.  

We end up as deceivers who are deceived. 

To which Jesus speaks, “Let them alone; they are blind guides.  And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matt. 15:14). 

We live in a self-obsessed culture.  One that prefers to ponder how much Jesus loves us instead of praising His glory and holiness.  One that jumps on the “He Gets Us” bandwagon while Jesus cheers from the sidelines, encouraging us to be our best selves.  One filled with overall good people trying our best – and that’s what matters.  One where we are enough.

If we didn’t have the perfect standard of God’s Word to evaluate these claims, we may never know how dangerously far they miss the mark.

Yes, Jesus loves us.  He loves us so much He came to personally solve our sin problem so we can enjoy a forever relationship with Him in glory.  He loves us so much He wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4).

But we can’t be saved if we don’t realize we need saving.

Rom. 2:8 warns that wrath and fury are in store for the self-seeking who don’t obey the truth.  Paul tells the church in Thessalonica that those who refuse to be saved by loving the truth will perish (2 Thess. 2:10).

Clearly, serious consequences exist for ignoring the truth.  Scripture tells us the wage of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), but Jesus is life.  And the Truth.  And the only way to the Father is through Him (John 14:6) – our gracious and merciful Savior who bridged the gap between our brokenness and His perfect holiness.

When it comes to matters of life and death, the stakes are too high to ignore what is true. 

We can keep filling our jam packed schedules, grabbing for power and recognition, and seeking to discover our authentic selves.  Or we can admit that searching for meaning according to worldly standards isn’t bringing the peace it promises.  Instead of fulfilled, we’re left exhausted, confused, anxious, and empty.  

Jesus says if we abide in His word, we are truly His disciples, and we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free (John 8:31-32).

Free from the bondage of sin.  Free from striving for control.  Free from proving our worth. Free from meeting impossible standards. 

Free to rest in the grace of His salvation.  Free to embrace our God-given identity. Free to experience His glorious presence for all eternity.  Free to discover our ultimate purpose in honoring Him.  Free to flourish in abundant life as we dwell in His truth.  

It is for this freedom Christ set us free.  Let’s avoid being burdened with a yoke of slavery by counterfeit gospels that offer false hope.  

The world says look within.  Jesus says keep your eyes on me.  The world says follow your heart.  Jesus says follow me.

Let’s fix our eyes on the Light of the world who promises the light that leads to life to those who follow Him (John 8:12).