Throughout history there have been questions about what determines truth. Some say truth is a narrative constructed by the rulers of this world to control the average person. To others, truth is subjective or an opinion. Still others believe truth is a product of cultural agreement, and still others deny the concept of truth altogether.[1]
Pilate, the Roman Governor at the time of Jesus crucifixion, asked Jesus about truth.
John 18:33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. 34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” 38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.[2]
Determining Truth Today
Two thousand years later, the whole world seems to agree with Pilate’s skepticism about truth. We still ask what determines truth. The fact is God, the creator of the universe, determines what truth is. To know the truth is to look at life through God’s lens of the Holy Bible. When we encounter Jesus, we encounter the truth. John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.[3] This truth does not change with the shifting sands of human culture.
Battle for Truth
Our enemy satan wants to do everything he can to blind you of the truth. He doesn’t want you to discern truth through Scripture and will supply alternative worldviews. Remember satan’s object is to deceive and destroy you. The enemy does nothing but lie.
John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.[4]
Who is the way? Jesus, because there are not multiple ways to God. Who is the truth? Jesus. Where can life be found? Jesus. Life is not found in worshiping false gods and away from the Lord. Notice what the enemy is about? Lies and deception. He does not want you to know the truth or seek the Lord for the truth.
Prayer for Truth
Heavenly Father, I come to You in poverty of spirit, to seek Your face during a time when the truth of Your Word seems to be being attacked on every side, and few seem to know or understand about the truth of Scripture. Father, it is sometimes hard to know what is true in a world when everything to do with God is being attacked, not only in the secular arena but in many Christian ministries as well.
You promised that Your Holy Spirit would guide Your children into all truth, especially those that seek You with all their whole hearts and Lord. I want to seek You and know You more and more but Lord, I do not want to be influenced by wrong doctrine or false teaching.
Keep me I pray and guide me in my life as I read Your Word and study the scriptures. Prevent me Lord, from being swept into the many false doctrines that are sweeping through Christendom today. Give me a discerning heart I pray and help me to find a teacher that will teach me the whole council of Your Word of Truth so that I may grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You Father, in Jesus’ name I pray.[5]
To hear about Pilate’s question of truth, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-pilate
[1] https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A379/what-is-truth
[2-4Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.