The Love Of Truth

I. The Person & Source of Truth - (what is true in any matter under consideration)

A. God

1. The Father: …the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. ~John 15:26

2. The Son: Jesus said to Peter, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ~ John 14:6

3. The Holy Spirit: …the Spirit of truth… for He dwells with you and will be in you. ~ John 14:17

And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. ~ 1 John 5:6

4. The written Word, the Bible:

a. The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. ~ Psalm 119:160

b. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. ~ John 17:17

B. The source of lies…

1. Jesus speaking to Pharisees: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” ~ John 8:44

II. Contrasting Dimensions of Truth and Lies

A. He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit. ~ Proverbs 12:17

1. Righteousness = right, just, morally upright

2. Deceit = treachery, deceiving, fraudulent,

a. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. ~ Psalm 5:6

b. The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth. ~ Zephaniah 3:13

B. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. ~ Proverbs 12:19

1. Truthful = ‘Established forever’ vs. Lying = ‘But for a moment.’

2. Contrast of something lasting with something very temporary.

3. Consider areas of application: marriage/family; friendships; business…

C. The LORD detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth. ~ Proverbs 12:22

1. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD…

2. Abominable = disgusting, despicable, nefarious; Delight = acceptable, good pleasure, favor

III. Admonitions and Warnings

A. Admonitions

1. Therefore love truth and peace. ~ Zechariah 8:19

2. …speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ ~ Ephesians 4:15

3. Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! ~ Psalm 86:11

4. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ~ 3 John 1:3-4

B. Warning

1. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ~ 2 Thess 2:9-10