Simply, stated into today’s language, Satan isn’t flying by the seat of his pants impulsively preparing his strategy every day. No! He works by a calculated blueprint forecasting far into the future. If he included a purpose statement, it says: Overthrow the Lord. Christians recognize many of his tactics and personal attacks. However, the lesser noticed are those that take years to implement and affects the whole of society. Andrei Sakharov made a profound statement that even believers should consider in light of the challenges facing Christianity. Sakharov, ‘the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb’, later in life turned dissentient and human rights activist. Just before his death he said, “I always thought the most powerful weapon in the world was the bomb. I have changed my mind. The most powerful weapon in the world is not the bomb. It is the truth.”
Knowing this long before Sakharov, the devil has subtly worked for decades to delude what society deems as truth. Three years ago, the Oxford English Dictionary announced ‘post-truth’ as their new word of the year. A new word but not a new concept. Today it has ballooned in academia, media, and our political system. Many now label America as a ‘post-truth’ society. This involves far more than false statements. It is a mindset that has evolved and woven itself into the fabricate of people’s reasoning. Objective truth no longer matters. The dictionary defines ‘post-truth’ as circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeal to emotions and personal belief. Just today an article by Dr. David Jeremiah warned; “Many U.S. churches today have “forgotten” their purpose, becoming entertainment-driven social organizations eager to blend in with secular culture instead of focusing on biblical discipleship” (Christian Post). We all know people who attend church not to hear biblical truth, but rather to be entertained and made to feel good.
In our ‘post-truth’ culture, beliefs like the following surround us. We hear it in the media and by politicians. Educational institutes teach it to our children. Note a few: “All points of view are equally valid, and all truth is relative to the individual. We create truth not discover it. Truth is what science can prove with verifiable empirical data. Truth isn’t objective or absolute, it is personal and relative.” So, how do we know the truth? Pilate asked Jesus, What is truth (John 18:38)? But instead of wait for a reply, he went out. He was unaware the Truth was standing before him.
Jesus said you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (Jn 8:32). The Holy Spirit has helped me understood Jesus didn’t mean freedom comes through an accumulation of biblical information, which is true. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2Ti 3:16). The Truth Jesus is referring to is Himself. In His final discourse before the crucifixion, He told the disciples, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (Joh 14:6). One small and overlooked word in this verse is vital for us especially in this age—the article “the”. In the original language, Greek, “the” is not present on every noun. Translators add it to English Bibles for easier reading. Several times in John truth does not have the article. When Pilate asked, “What is truth?”, there is no article, and it literally reads what is ‘a’ truth. When the article “the” is present, it has a significant meaning. It indicates an exclusive individual identity. ‘A’ truth means there are a lot of truths but when a writer added “the”, it refers to one specific truth.
Jesus is not merely ‘a’ truth among many, rather He is the exclusive truth. He is the embodiment of truth. Knowing Jesus as the Truth doesn’t mean everything else is wrong. Many true facts exist but can never contradict the Truth of the Word i.e. Jesus the Word. Note also, He is not just one of many ways, He is the only way and He is the only means of life. Believers are besieged with the belief that only one universal truth exist that it’s always wrong to say someone else’s truth is not true. Only The Truth sets us free from the snare of post-truth. A fact to remember: Truth does not come through the accumulation of information; it comes through a relationship with The Truth. This is what sets you free. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit who He calls the Spirit of Truth. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth (Joh 16:13). Of all powers, He is the sovereign infinite power and lives in us.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Satan has brought the world to a ‘post-truth’ age, but The Truth, more powerful than any other force, abides with us and guides us. How’s your relationship with The Truth?