The Truth Be Told Series

THE TRUTH BE TOLD

Col 2:4 Exodus 20:16

INTRODUCTION: Here is an interesting bit of information I came across -- One of the most telling examples is our view of truth. In the 1960s, 65 percent of Americans said they believed the Bible is true; today that figure has dropped to 32 percent. Even more dramatically, today 67 percent of all Americans deny that there’s any such thing as truth. Seventy percent say there are no moral absolutes. In a similar study by the Barna Group when just asking those aged 18-25, amazingly 72% said that there was no absolute truth.

Now – If there is so little confidence in the existence of ABSOLUTE truth, is there any surprise that we have an eroding commitment to “practical” truth”

When we undermining the value of absolute truth is like unleashing an earthquake. You not only have to worry about the quake itself, but all of the aftershocks that follow. When we erode absolute truth, we also erode trust, confidence, integrity, faith, security, and stability.

At the same time as our reliance on truth is diminished, the space left by its dwindling is filled with falsehood and all of its followers – suspicion, doubt, withdraw, insecurity, conflict, resentment, and anger.

Every time “nontruth” comes into a relationship, trust and confidence are tattered.

In our time together today, I would like to looks at some important truth about truth. As we seek to bring our speech and tongue under control. To keep it on the “cutting edge” so to speak, we cannot go far in this area without first dealing with the importance of truth!

I THE BIBLES MANDATE FOR TRUTH

A The Biblical Foundation

1 The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

2 The Wisdom of Proverbs

Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

3 The Judgment of Revelation

Rev. 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

4 The Psalms of David

Psalm 51:6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

B The Reason For Truths Importance

1 Our Relationship to the Nature of God

a God is Truth by nature

Psalm 31:5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Titus 1:2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

1) God’s mission is truth

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

2) To align with truth is to align with God

b We are Reflective by Design

Romans 9:20-21 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ’Why did you make me like this?’ " 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1) God has designed us for His use

2) Conformation to God requires an accurate reflection of Who God is

3) Accurate reflection demands that we reflect truth.

c We must be Submissive by Preference

Proverbs 13:5 The righteous hate what is false,

but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

Col. 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

II THE PRESSURE AGAINST TRUTH

The truth be told, since truth is so important to the character, nature, and expressed will of God – is it any wonder why truth is so attacked in society today

A Beguilement – “Nontruth by misdirection and deception”

Col. 2:4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Col. 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

1 We are quick to conclude wrongly.

Have you ever been in a situation where something has happened and without any evidence concluded that a certain person MUST have been involved, only later to find out that you were wrong? If you have – you have been beguiled