There is a disease that has infected our culture. Its impact is deeper and greater than that of COVID-19. Its symptoms are more severe than a cough, a fever or shortness of breath.
The effects are rampant and, if left untreated, can have a generational impact. Oftentimes the diseased person feels trapped, as if in bondage. Some of the common indicators include the acceptance of lying, deceit and hypocrisy. Unfortunately, the name of this disease is unknown. But thankfully, there is a cure. In John 8:31a-32 Jesus said, “If you remain in My word, then you are truly My disciples. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
Throughout Scripture there is a strong indication that the Lord desires for His people to understand the importance of truth. It warns of false teachers and false prophets. It highlights the gravity of untruth when God made a list of big-time no-no’s, and lying cracked His top 10.
It even points out that one of the primary duties of the Holy Spirit is to lead us into all truth. It’s always been important to God. It was clearly important to the ministry of Jesus. It continues to play an important role and responsibility of the Holy Spirit.
So why are we so easily swayed away from such a beautiful, important, kingdom commodity?
In my latest episode of Next Level Podcast with Michael McIntyre, I have a refreshing conversation with John Cooper of Skillet about this very thing. His purpose for being outspoken in his new book, Awake and Alive to Truth, was to promote his passion about this subject.
When asked about his heart for the book, he said, “The reason I wrote the book … is the fact that we have gotten so far off from the foundational things that we used to believe. The same thing is happening in Christianity that is happening in government in general. In family life in general. In marriages in general. It’s all kind of the same thing, which is that we don’t believe in truth anymore.”
Dear God, let us not forget the importance of truth. Let us not pretend that beating around the bush is a more impactful way to converse with friends. Let us not give up the hope that if truth is powerful enough to unlock us from our cage of bondage, it is surely worth our pursuit. While the culture wants us to believe that truth is relative, Jesus was clear that His relationship with truth was a little more personal. In fact, He claimed to be the truth. The prophet Jeremiah quoted the Lord as saying, “You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).
Dear God, let us not forget that we don’t invent truth; we discover it.
This disease of untruth has begun to shape our society in more ways than one. Whether it’s the omission of facts and evidence in the mainstream media or the deterioration of relationships due to disingenuous conversations, the truth has lost our attention and therefore lost its power. If it is truth that sets us free, then it’s time we start looking for its existence in our everyday lives. {eoa}
