What is the Big Deal About Truth?

It is a sad commentary on our culture that the word “truth” has become a hot topic.  From television news channels to major magazines, it seems as if everyone talking about truth.  Much of it was fueled by White House counselor Kellyanne Conway who introduced us to the term “alternative fact.”  She was explaining that a statement from White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was not a lie.  A fact is a “fact.” There can be no such thing as an “alternative truth.”  Truth is reality in its truest form.  A truth is an indisputable fact, proposition or principle. A “lie” is the exact opposite, an “untruth".  A lie is a false statement made with the intent to deceive.  I am left to wonder how far we have fallen since George Washington made the statement, “I cannot tell a lie,” when asked if he did it. 

The search for truth, and its meaning, is nothing new.  In the midst of Jesus’ trial it is Pilate who inquired, “What is truth?”  Like many leaders today, he was in a dilemma.  Do I follow my conscience and do what is I know is right or listen to the demands of the world? It is ironic that Pilate posed the question to the individual who had defined himself as, “The way, the ‘truth’ and the life” (John 14:4).  Jesus promises to guide us into that “truth” by providing us with the Holy Spirit who will, “guide you into the truth” (John 16:13).  

In a world where we are constantly bombarded with a variety of messages it is more important than ever to look to the Holy Spirit to “guide us into the truth.”  More importantly, we are called to be people of “the Truth.” That is especially the case when we are surrounded by so many teens and young adults who like Pilate are asking “What is truth?”  It is our responsibility to let them see that there are two basic truth: The Law, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) and the Gospel, “And we are justified by His grace that came through Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).”  That is a reality that must be lived through our actions, otherwise our words are hallow.