Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Proverbs 12:17-19

The second Christian Value we’re considering in our series is Truth. Just as a Christian’s life is to be guided by what’s in the highest best interests of others (i.e. love), so too our lives are to be characterised and guided by Truth.

In John 18:37-38, Jesus told Pilate, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” But Pilate scoffed, “What is truth?” Pilate was not interested in the truth. He only cared about what would help him hold on to power.

Fundamentally, the Bible understands “truth” to be the accurate representation of reality. Truth is the way things really are. When Jesus Christ describes Himself as “The Truth” in John 14:6, He meant that His words and deeds all perfectly and accurately represented the reality of Who God is, what God is like, and what human life is meant to be. Our calling as His followers is to accurately represent reality in every situation too.

Today’s Proverb addresses the issue of speaking the truth. Speaking the truth is a matter of verbalising an accurate representation of reality. So, as our Proverb says, when someone gives honest evidence they are accurately representing reality, and those listening are able make a correct judgment based on their trustworthy and truthful representation of reality. Conversely, when someone speaks falsehood, they are creating a false version of reality, and any decision made on the basis of it will be fundamentally flawed. Concealing the truth, twisting the truth, speaking half-truths or downright misrepresenting the truth is ultimately harmful to others (and sinful) because it goes against the nature of our Lord and, if others believe our misrepresentation, they will be unable to make correct judgements.

God of Truth, as I strive to follow Jesus, the Lord of Truth, please empower me by the Spirit of Truth to be a person of truth. Please open my eyes to perceive the truth about every situation, and grant me the ability and the power to think, speak and live in step with the truth, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.