Bible Study: Truth

Hi Everyone

We’ve been taking a break over the last few weeks for summer. If you are from Canada, you will know that we take summer seriously here and that many are away soaking up the sun on beaches and boats, holidaying all over the country.

Well, we’re back online again. For the summer season, I’ll be stepping aside from the “Who I am in Jesus Christ” series for a few weeks, so last week I talked about this issue of “Truth”.

3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (NKJV)

For all with whom I labor in the Lord, this is my desire also, that your life is run solely on the truth of the Word.

The notes below give you an idea of the verses covered but I strongly recommend that you listen to the recording of the audio, as there is quite a lot there that the notes may not cover.

Be blessed!

Chris

Untruth

From the day Adam and Eve fell and the world was handed to the devil, Man lived in a world increasingly permeated by untruth.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (NKJV)

The World that was under his dominion fell when he fell.

Genesis 2:16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (NKJV)

Living outside of God and His love is living in untruth.

SOAKED in Untruth from Birth

From the day we are born we were separated from God and were soaked in untruth.

Common Examples of untruth

Fornication/Adultery/Homosexuality and our values today
Divorce – sometimes that’s the only best way
“Nobody loves me”
“Self-fulfilment”
Love of Money
“That’s just the way it is”
Many thoughts espoused in songs (some Christian even!)
The way many women dress today
Condoms in boy’s washrooms in school!
Sickness – it is normal, passed down, hereditary
Poverty
Self-image (Loser/Low Esteem/Egotistical/Prideful etc.)
Every human thought outside of the Word!
Look out for #1 – Ever man for HIMSELF

It’s not so much about sin, but about the fact that we continue to be sublimely brought into the idea that these are normal when they are not.

Truth is not “Doing the Moral Thing”

It is not about trying to do right on our own. Scripture talks about a way that seems right to man

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (NKJV)

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (NKJV)

It is called “walking in the futility of your mind” (Eph 4:17). Getting people into moral behaviour for its own sake will only create more moral people in Hell. It is all about getting people into an active love relationship with the Lord.

Truth is not a Cause

It is not about trying to prevent gay marriage, or standing up again what we perceive as being evil. Darkness is overcome by light, not by removing darkness.

John 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (NKJV)

Jesus came to give light, that we might become as He is.

Truth is a Person

Truth was brought back to us in the person of Jesus.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (NKJV)

He died to set us free from lies, from the untruths, from what was never meant to be in the first place, everything that was a part of the fallen nature. He was cursed to die for our curse, that we might live in His blessing.

He made us New Creations, created in His image. We are in the world, not of it.

John 17:14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. (NKJV)

The old HAS already been destroyed. Like Jesus, we today are God’s Spirit in us clothed in flesh. The sin nature that was present has been destroyed by the death of Jesus on our behalf. This is why He has the right to tell us to do as He did (John 20:21) with a promise that the things we do collectively as the Church will be even greater (John 14:12). If we choose to believe in His Word, then like Paul we will have to say

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)

Yes, the life we now live, we need to learn to live by faith in Jesus, whose love in dying for us has changed us. The more we realize the magnitude of His love, the more we have faith and the more our lives in the flesh are dominated by His Spirit in us and the less it is about us. Yes, the old HAS gone.

We Need to Embrace the Truth

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; (NKJV)

The day has come when people do not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, what suits their lifestyles. Here's the definition of "Itching ears" from Wikipedia:

"Itching ears is a term used in the Bible to describe a person who seeks out messages that please them and fit their lifestyle, as opposed to seeking a truth that might make them uncomfortable."

Because of Itching Ears Syndrome, many HEAP UP for themselves TEACHERS.

Some want "Christianity Lite" where God gives them everything and expects nothing of them, so their lives continue the way it has always been, with no victory and no use for the Kingdom. Then there are others who refuse to believe the whole truth of the Word, rather preferring what religion has taught them – a powerless gospel where we are saved and stuck, waiting only to go to Heaven. Both sides want plenty of teachers to concur with their beliefs, instead of the Word.

The problem is this - Teachers come and go. What is needed are FATHERS 1 Corinthians 4:15 . FATHERS discipline, correct, ensure the right path is taken.

Transformed, Not Conformed

“Treat her like a lady and she will be one” – we are the bride of Christ and He has treated us right already. We just need to realise this in all of its fullness.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NKJV)

This love transforms us but we must be active to not be conformed to the world, to be aware of untruths

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

Bring down every high thing. Not just your thoughts per se, but the way you think.

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (NKJV)

Need to be in the Word to be sharp – it is the two-edged sword.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)

Spirit and soul – most things on earth exist in the soulish realm (Eph 4:17 – futility of the mind).

Soak in the Truth

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)

Come to know the living God, His love, revealed in the Word.

Walk in Truth

Know the love of Christ Eph 3:19, be rooted in it and we will believe the truths that we know.

Know the Truth – meditate on the finished work and let it guard your heart

Proverbs 4:20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV)

Take proactive steps to discern ungodly thoughts. Often reflected in our words.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (NKJV)

Also in Matt 12:34

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (NKJV)

Learn the Word and say what God says (meditate). It will bring you life.

Every untruth is a challenge against your identity, who you are in Jesus Christ.

Walk in truth – who you are in JC. This is walking in the Spirit.

Truth will then set you free

The Take Away