In our post-modern age, to which I occasionally allude, truth is whatever anyone wants (or needs) it to be. “That’s my truth” is a phrase increasingly used these days, and it is really code for “That’s what I want regardless of whether it’s right or wrong, or works or not for anyone else.” However, as I have recently been saying, truth is what it is, that is, it can never be what you want something to be if it isn’t true, or can never be true. That’s just illogical as Mr Spock would say.
OK, that’s one thing about truth and falsehood trying to masquerade as truth – and that’s nothing new under the sun. Even the apostle Paul said, “… even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.” And, right there, is the ultimate of lies masquerading as truth – so many people are fooled by all manner of stuff masquerading as truth these days.
But there is only one truth in any situation – not a variety of truths – and I am not speaking about selectable options or preferences, here, that’s different. I am talking about truth and it cannot be adulterated because it is what it is (Phew! Did you get that?)`
The story of King Uzziah in the Old Testament is an example of absolute, totally reliable truth going to waste. His story illustrates so well that the presence of an abundance of truth is not enough for us. Uzziah ignored the truth presented to him by prophets. But he could not, or would not, apply it. It cost him. This man was a godly man, an exceptional leader, a truly great king – only King Solomon exceeded him in achievement. He began extremely well, ascending the throne at just 16 years of age and ruled Israel for 52 years. Under his kingship Israel’s borders extended to Egypt in the south, Arabia in the east, he conquered Philistia and established Israel’s first seaport in the west, and pushed the borders in the north to Ammon. He was an extremely powerful king, with a well-equipped army, it says in 2 Chronicles 26, because God was with him, and God helped him.
Uzziah did right in the eyes of the Lord and the prophet Zechariah personally instructed him and tutored him in the ways of the spiritual disciplines. As long as he continued to seek the face of God, he was successful in all that he did.
But he did not finish well. He died in disgrace and in uncleanness. After Uzziah became powerful, he became proud.
2 Chronicles 26:16 (NIV)
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, …”
Uzziah became his own truth – which is the essence of pride. It led to being unfaithful to God. It means you become your own person and you cease to function under God’s authority – you have your truth, God has His. No congruency! You cease to be under authority, and you assume you own truth and authority; and you lose the ability to apply God’s truth – even though you hear it and is right there in front of you.
The mere presence of truth doesn’t make any difference in any situation unless it is accepted and applied. It is the understanding and the application of truth in faith that is actually transformative. This is a fundamental teaching all through Scripture.
In his classic book, “Celebration of Discipline”, Richard Foster agrees: “Jesus … reminds us that it is not just the truth but the knowledge of the truth that sets us free.”
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Notice Jesus’ actual words here. “If you hold to my teaching (keep at it) … you will (come to) know (understanding)”. And there it is. All of us have had the experience, says Foster, of reading something over and over again and then, all of a sudden, we understand what it means. Eureka! And this understanding is no longer data, or information, or a puzzle, but a certain knowledge of the truth that “catapults us onto a new level of growth and freedom”, again, Foster.
In my experience as a pastor many believers know about the truth of God’s Word - as data, facts, information and so on – not so much truth that they hold to, gain understanding of, and so, are catapulted up onto a new level of being, awareness and experience of the rich life that God has for us. Why? The old enemy of denial. Denial is not so much about denying the truth or even reality, but knowing the truth, and refusing any knowledge and understanding of it such that is applied in faith.
From a biblical perspective, truth is not really about provable, accurate, scientific outcomes – apparently the scientist’s holy grail – but about a human being coming into congruency with reality as God has made it.
And that is when we are transformed. It starts with our thinking, our minds being constantly washed by the Word of God, holding to it until we gain understanding and knowledge of what God requires of us. Then actually applying this truth that has become knowledge.
Here is renewal!
Congruency with God’s reality.
Life.
Think on these things.
Can you handle the truth … properly?
Ps Milton
(Sources: “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster, p. 83)