Is All Truth God's Truth?
This phrase assumes that some things are true, and some things are not. When we find something that is true, we must attribute it to God.
God is true, and all truth comes from God. There is no truth apart from God. He is the source of truth, and when we speak truth, we are speaking His truth. Scripture says: God is truth (cf. Jn. 14:6). Truth is found in Him (cf. Eph. 4:21). All that is true come through Him (cf. Jn. 1:17)
There is no truth apart from God. God is the source of truth and when we speak the truth, we are speaking His truth. God reveals His truth through scripture and through the created world.
St Agustine of Hippo said:
“A person who is a good and true Christian should realize that truth belongs to his Lord, wherever it is found, gathering and acknowledging it even in pagan literature, but rejecting superstitious vanities and deploring and avoiding those who 'though they knew God did not glorify him as God or give thanks but became enfeebled in their own thoughts and plunged their senseless minds into darkness. Claiming to be wise they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the image of corruptible mortals and animals and reptiles' [Rom. 1:21-3]”
To declare something as true, it should possess certain characteristics: it must be discoverable, universally applicable across cultures, immutable, impervious to subjective attitudes, absolute in its factual nature, and accessible to all. For instance, the equation 2+2=4 exemplifies a truth that can be ascertained (rather than constructed by an individual), transcends cultural boundaries, remains constant, remains unaffected by emotional feelings, stands as an absolute fact, and is comprehensible to all of humanity. So even if 2+2=4 is said by an atheist, a Hindu, a Jehovah Witness, it is still truth that can only come from the God of truth.
We can rejoice in the fact that God uses all means to communicate truth to the world.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of false teachers and counterfeit preachers in the world today, misleading people with their lies, while claiming them to be God’s truth. Since the beginning of time, there has been a war against God’s truth. From the time Satan spoke to Eve in the Garden of Eden to the false prophets of Ezekiel’s day who cried “peace” when there was no peace, to our day, there have always been those who lead God’s people astray if they can. The world has always known false teachers.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. – Gal. 1:8-9
Have you heard this statement before? “Federal agents don’t learn to spot counterfeit money by studying the counterfeits. They study genuine bills until they master the look of the real thing.” It turns out that that is a true statement.
The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false teachers is to know the truth. To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing. Any believer who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) and who makes a careful study of the Bible can identify false doctrine. We will be able to recognise false teaching when we become students of the Word of God. If we are deceived, we will be held accountable, because God has given us everything we need to discern what is true and what is not.
Let us pray.
Lord, I know the enemy is the father of lies and he wants to confuse us by mixing truth with lies. He often tries to mask himself as an angel of light so I pray that you would give me eyes to see through his lies that are masquerading as truth.
God, I'm thankful that you give good things, and I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps me know what's true and helps me discern all things.
I ask that You create in me a deep hunger in my heart to help me be a student of scripture. I pray that You would give me the discernment and wisdom to always line up what I am hearing and thinking with Your Holy Word.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen