Answer
A scriptural understanding of truth encompasses more than simple honesty. The Bible reveals truth as a moral concept rooted in God’s character (Psalm 43:3; 25:5; 26:3; 86:11; Isaiah 65:16). He is the “God of truth” (Isaiah 65:16, NLT), and His truthfulness embraces His steadfastness, trustworthiness, and eternal faithfulness (Psalm 117:2).
Most commonly, discussions of truth have to do with speaking the truth (Psalm 15:2; Proverbs 12:17). Lying is the opposite of telling the truth (Jeremiah 9:3), and God never lies (Titus 1:2). The Bible says that God is not only truthful, but He Himself is the essence of truth. The reliability and trustworthiness of His being were highly significant to the biblical writers in expressing God’s truthfulness. When Scripture speaks of truth, it refers to a completeness of moral integrity that influences how one thinks and behaves (Psalm 86:11; 119:30, 43–44; Malachi 2:6).
God demonstrates that He is truth in the faithfulness and dependability of His words, actions, and dealings: “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19, NLT; see also 1 Samuel 15:29). God’s Word holds true, and we can trust everything He does (Psalm 33:4). He is completely reliable (Psalm 31:5). The Lord is a rock-solid, trustworthy foundation for life because He is entirely reliable and consistent in His character (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 145:13; 2 Timothy 2:13).
God’s laws and instructions outline the way of truth that is meant to lead people to Him (Psalm 19:7; 119:30, 42–45; Malachi 2:6–7). The Bible says God’s Word is truth: “The entirety of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160, HCSB). As the Logos—the living, incarnate Word of God—Jesus Christ is truth (John 1:14, 17; John 6:32). Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Scripture also says that the gospel message is truth (Galatians 2:5, 14; Ephesians 1:13). That message is the good news of salvation—that Jesus is the only way to everlasting life with God. Through Jesus, “we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life” (1 John 5:20, NLT). Likewise, the Holy Spirit is the “Spirit of truth” who dwells within believers and leads them “into all truth” (John 14:17, NLT; see also John 15:26; 16:13; 1 John 5:6).
The truth of God’s Word also holds sanctifying power for the believer. In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus asked the Father, “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth” (John 17:17, NLT). Since the Bible is truth, Christians ought to study it, working hard to understand and correctly apply it to their lives (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16–17). As we deepen our knowledge and insight into God’s Word, its truth will set us free (John 8:32).
God desires His followers to be people of the truth (Ephesians 4:25). He loves those who tell the truth and detests those who lie (Proverbs 12:22; 6:16–19). The Lord underscores the importance of truth by presenting us with “the belt of truth” as the first piece of our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10–17). The rest of our armor is held secure when the truth is wrapped around us. Otherwise, we are defenseless against the lies of our adversary, the devil, who is the father of lies (John 8:44).
The Bible says that God delights in truth. “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth,” declares the psalmist (Psalm 145:18, NLT). Because of truth’s high value, Solomon counsels, “Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well” (Proverbs 23:23). God takes pleasure in seeing His truth reflected in the character of His children (Psalm 15:1–5; 51:6). He calls believers to worship Him in truth (John 4:24), love others in truth (1 John 3:18), and always speak the truth (Ephesians 4:15, 25; Zechariah 8:16).
