Have you ever used the phrase “the naked truth?” I had never really thought about this phrase’s meaning until now. It means telling the truth for what it is, no concealing, embellishing, or pretense. Anyone that knows me knows that I like the naked truth. So, let’s tell the naked truth about truth.
What is truth?
Some time back I was sitting in a room with a man who was experiencing hallucinations. He was insistent that there was an evil spirit in the corner of the ceiling looking at me. No one else in the room saw the spirit. To no avail, I told this man that there was no spirit in the room and, “What you’re claiming doesn’t correspond with reality.” That’s a good definition of truth that I have used for several years now: that which corresponds with reality. Truth is never changing. As I often say, it is what it is. If you believe in the Bible, this constant nature of truth is proven by the fact that God is never changing (Mal. 3:6), and God is truth (Ps. 31:5; 86:15; 108:4). But there is much more about the nature of truth that all people need to know and understand.
Three Facts About the Truth
First, truth is constant.
Second, truth is exclusive. To say one thing is true is to necessarily imply that the opposite is false. When Jesus declared Himself as the only way to the Father (John 14:6), He necessarily implied that all attempts to reach heaven outside of Himself are false. This is exclusive, but it is true. When people say truth is absolute, they are combining the facts that truth is never changing and exclusive in nature. These facts about truth are self-evident. If someone were to object, the proper response would be, “Is your objection absolutely true?”
Third, truth (or facts) doesn’t care about your feelings.[1] While this statement might make many Christians squirm uncomfortably, it is true. We might speak about truth anthropomorphically sometimes as if truth is a person that has the ability to discern emotions, but it isn’t. Truth doesn’t have feelings, and because of this, it is no respecter of persons, not even the person speaking it. By nature of this fact, the spoken truth will naturally hurt people’s feelings. Even if wielded by the most gentle and caring human beings, the spoken truth will exclude opposing ideas, declare those in opposition to be wrong, and wound egos. This is why the Rich Young Ruler went away “sorrowful” from talking to Jesus (Matt. 19:22). It was impossible for him to disagree with Jesus without his feelings being hurt. Truth doesn’t care about your feelings. It is important that we understand this, because culture has re-appropriated the meaning of love to be only that which fosters good feelings in others. However, if that is the true definition of love, then it would be impossible to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). If you have ever spoken the truth to someone out of concern for their wellbeing, then you know what I’m talking about. It doesn’t always end with the other person lavishing you with praise and thanksgiving, regardless of how you delivered the message. No one knew this better than Jesus. The most truthful being to ever walk the earth was killed because He spoke the truth in love.
Conclusion
This is the naked truth about the truth. There are many people in the world that disagree with what I have written in this article. It’s because they don’t like the idea of exclusivity. These facts hurt their feelings. They don’t like using the word “wrong”; it disturbs them. They don’t like making people feel bad. Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t like telling people they are wrong, I don’t like making people feel bad, nor does it feel good to hear someone else say, “Aaron, you’re wrong.” But if you love the God of truth (Ps. 31:5) and you want to walk in His paths that are made of truth (Ps. 25:10), then we will have to learn to see past our feelings for the facts as they become apparent. These truths about truth are important to our understanding of God, interpreting and understanding His word, and communicating His truth to others. May we ever have a love of the truth that we might be saved (2 Thess. 2:10), and may we speak that truth out of love (Eph. 4:15).
[1] I first heard this said by Ben Shapiro
Comments
Having the” love of the truth” sounds so righteous and for many who have a faith that holds the words of the Bible as the “word of God” gives those faithful a bold confidence to ignore and impune the words of those who believe that “the word of God” is found in other places. If condemning others is sanctioned,and those who wish to extend the feeling of love into something real, physical,and life affirming is considered “unholy”, all that will remain is not truth but ignorance.
Author
Mr. Guerci, forgive me, it may be my simplemindedness (no sarcasm intended), but I’m not sure I understood what you said. I believe you are getting at the idea that Christians should not condemn others and claiming to have “the truth” is self righteous? But the particulars of what you have expressed are lost on me. If you could reword your comments, perhaps this would help. Thank you for your feedback.