What Is the Truth?

To write a book about truth you must first identify it as non-fiction, how can it be fiction if it is about what is true? Fiction is an assumption of a possibility as a fact, irrespective of the question of its truth. There is a distinction between truth and what is true. What is true is defined as being accordance with fact and reality at the time. Truth is defined as the quality or state of being true. God and truth are inseparable. In the book “The Truth War”, author John MacArthur states, “The biblical definition of truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory and being of God; the self-expression of God.” ¹

My approach and understanding of truth is as perceived by God’s word. So the question may be asked, “How do you know what is perceived by God?” It is self-evident the foundation of God’s truth is in his word, the Holy Bible. A collection of sacred texts or scriptures that Jews and Christians consider to be the product of divine inspiration about the relationship between God and man. Though some may debate the validity of the Bible that was written by men; it is however the most popular book ever written and read in western culture.

When we define truth, truth must be defined in biblical terms; attempts to define it in non-biblical terms will ultimately fail and be often misunderstood. For God is the creator of all truth and there cannot be truth apart from God. If man does not acknowledge God, he does not acknowledge truth or know truth. How can you really determine right from wrong without the standards of truth? How can anything exist without the reality of truth?

There is a Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit); that guides you into all truth. If you do not know or acknowledge the Spirit of truth, how can you ever know truth? The Spirit of truth is a person; God introduced His son, Jesus to the world. Jesus introduced the Spirit of truth.

“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’

But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16: 5-11)

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13)

We know of this truth as documented in the bible. For generations people have accepted and believed the truth written in this sacred book. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that over 6 billion copies of the bible have been printed, in which the New Testament has been translated into 1,185 languages. (ref. Statisicbrain.com) INFORMRY.com states that in 2007 along, over 100 million copies were sold. Annual sales in America are estimated to be $425 – $650 million every year. The Bible is widely considered to be the best-selling book of all times and is the major influence of literature and history in western civilization. There is no other book in all mankind that has the impact on culture and faith than the Bible, a book that originated over 2000 years ago. The bible substantiates the reality of truth if you choose to believe. The Book of Proverbs 1:7 states “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

God’s words appear to be foolishness to a world that is perishing. But to those who are receiving salvation, it is the awesome power of God. The power of words spoken by the creator of heaven and earth. He who spoke all things into existence and speaks to our hearts today. He who is the beginning of all wisdom and knowledge.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)