Pilate spoke those words when Jesus stood trial before him. Jesus had just told Pilate that He had come to testify to the truth. That’s when Pilate responded, “What is truth?” From the context we know that he was skeptical that truth could even be known.
This same view about truth prevails today. We hear things like, “That’s your truth;” or “Truth is what you make it;” or “Truth is relative.” This is madness and we must recognize it as such.
We recognize this relative view of truth as coming from the evil one. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent approached Eve and spoke with her: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1–5) God spoke truth to Adam and Eve. But the evil one twisted God’s words, manufacturing his own version of the truth. Adam and Eve rejected God’s truth and believed the twisted words of Satan, rebelling against God and sinning. Their rejection of the truth spoken by God hurled all of mankind into our sinful state.
Truth is not relative. It is not personal, meaning my truth may not be yours. If there is no truth, then nothing can be known. Jesus had other things to say about truth:
- Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
- He also said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
- And Jesus prayed for His disciples (including us), “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
Don’t be fooled by the evil one and the deception he promotes in the world today. Truth comes from God. Truth is knowable. It is neither relative nor specific to only some individuals. People “suppress the truth by their wickedness,” and “their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:18 & 21) Trust God and His Word. His Word is truth!
Scripture Reading: Romans 1:18–32
Personal Application
- On what do you base your beliefs about God? We must go to His Word, for His Word is truth.
- This matter impacts how we understand the Scriptures as well. There is one true interpretation but there are many applications of its truth.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5