The Truth - Podcast Episode Thumbnail - Part 1
Play

Unlocking Freedom: What It Means to Truly “Walk the Truth”

Have you ever wondered what “Walking in the Truth” really means? In today’s dynamic world, where every corner seems filled with uncertainty and falsehoods, and with so much “fake news” circulating, understanding and living by truth is more vital than ever. The “Matt on a Mission” podcast, hosted by Matt Knighton and Tim Ashton, dives deep into this powerful concept, drawing profound insights from the Bible.

What is the Truth?

The quest for truth begins with a fundamental question: What is truth? According to the teachings discussed on the podcast, Jesus represents the ultimate embodiment of truth. In the book of Revelation, Jesus is called “faithful and true” and “the word of God”. Since God’s word is true and He cannot lie, Jesus, as the Word of God, is the very embodiment of truth.

More Than Just Knowing: Living the Truth Daily

Translating knowledge of the scriptures into daily life is crucial. “Walking in the truth” isn’t merely about intellectual understanding or how much of the Bible you know in your head. It means living in the truth daily. It’s about aligning your life with God’s Word rather than trying to make God’s Word align with your life. True believers are called to live according to its teachings, striving to be a doer of God’s word and not just a hearer of it. As Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life”. Therefore, walking in the truth is about living with Jesus daily, Him in us and we in Him, continually reshaping our lives to mirror His teachings.

The Immense Benefits of Walking in Truth:

The Bible offers profound joy to those who walk in truth.

  • Joy to God: God delights greatly in seeing His children walking in the truth, stating, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth”. Bringing joy to God through our lives means walking in the truth.
  • Prosperity and Good Health: The scriptures teach that if we walk in the truth, we will prosper in our lives and be in good health.
  • Protection from Deception: The “word of truth,” which is God’s Word, protects you from ungodliness, deception, false prophets, false teachers, and destructive doctrines that can lead to bondage and destruction. It shields believers from lies and destructive heresies.
  • Freedom: As Jesus proclaimed in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my word you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. This freedom includes being liberated from slavery to sin, shame, and all that weighs you down. The truth shines like a light in darkness, setting every believer free. The opposite of truth, which is lies, makes you captive.

How to Walk in the Truth:

  • Diligent Study of the Bible: You can’t walk in the truth if you don’t know it, and knowing it comes from studying the Bible daily. It’s not enough to read it once a week or only at church; you must “study earnestly” and be diligent, not slothful or lazy. Spending time learning the scriptures daily is crucial.
  • Receive God’s Word: Not reading the Bible or not listening to scriptural teaching is described as rejecting the truth. If you have a Bible and don’t read it, you are rejecting the truth. You must listen and receive scriptural teaching.
  • Guidance from the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit, also called the “Spirit of truth,” guides believers into all truth. You must be willing to listen to Him, hear His voice, and follow Him. The Holy Spirit will not speak on His own authority but in agreement with the Father and Jesus. He guides us into all truth and will reveal things to come.
  • Test Everything: Do not believe every spirit or accept everything you hear at face value. This includes information from famous people, the pulpit, or social media. You are warned to “test the spirits whether they are of God” because many false prophets exist. Always confirm what you hear with the Bible. It’s like eating chicken: chew the meat and spit out the bones, as almost every message may contain some “bones”.
  • Speak the Truth in Love: This is crucial for building yourself and others up and for growing together in Christ. It’s about helping one another and growing into the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God. Correcting others should be done gently, as an act of correction in love, not a rebuke.

The Source of Lies

Jesus explicitly states in John 8:44 that the devil is the “father of all lies”. He was a murderer from the beginning and has no truth in him. The very first thing he said to a human being (Eve in the Garden of Eden) was a lie, and he has never stopped. It’s easy to be deceived by his lies, which is why discernment is so vital.

A Lamp and a Light

God’s Word is described as “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). It shows you where you are standing, what steps to take, and illuminates the path ahead, guiding you in the right direction. God even promises to watch over His Word to ensure it accomplishes what He sent it to do (Isaiah 55:11). This truth is the word of God, and the word of God made flesh is Jesus Himself.

In closing, the enriching conversation inspires a reflective call to action: walk in truth, live by the word, and let it guide you for a life that is both fulfilling and aligned with divine purpose. Be proactive in seeking truth, and let the journey transform your daily walk. Walking in the truth is an active, daily pursuit that brings freedom, divine protection, and aligns your life with God’s will. It’s about letting God’s truth lead you to Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental definition of “truth” according to the provided sources?

The sources emphasize that Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of truth. This understanding is rooted in the Bible, specifically Revelation 19, where Jesus is called “faithful and true,” and “the word of God.” Since God’s word is inherently true and without deceit, Jesus, being the Word of God made flesh, is therefore the Truth itself. This means that embracing truth is intrinsically linked to accepting and living in alignment with Jesus.

What does it mean to “walk in the truth,” and how does this differ from simply knowing it?

“Walking in the truth” goes beyond mere intellectual understanding or memorization of scripture. It means living in the truth daily, actively aligning one’s life with God’s Word rather than attempting to twist or interpret scripture to fit personal desires. It’s about a continuous, intimate relationship with Jesus, where “Him in us and we in Him” becomes a lived reality. This involves being a “doer” of God’s word, not just a “hearer,” constantly striving to mirror Jesus’ teachings in daily actions and decisions.

What are the key benefits or outcomes of walking in the truth?

Walking in the truth brings numerous profound benefits. Firstly, it brings immense joy to God, as He delights in seeing His children live truthfully. Secondly, it is directly linked to prosperity and good health in one’s life. Thirdly, the “word of truth” acts as a powerful protection from ungodliness, deception, false prophets, false teachers, and destructive doctrines that can lead to bondage and destruction. Most importantly, walking in the truth leads to freedom—freedom from sin, shame, and all that burdens a believer, shining like a light in darkness.

How can individuals actively walk in the truth?

Actively walking in the truth requires several key practices. It necessitates diligent and daily study of the Bible, as one cannot walk in the truth without knowing it thoroughly. This means being “earnest” and “diligent” in scriptural learning, rather than relying on occasional exposure. Individuals must also be receptive to God’s Word, as rejecting it (by not reading or listening to scriptural teaching) is akin to rejecting the truth itself. Furthermore, it involves embracing the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is described as the “Spirit of truth” and will lead believers into all truth, always in agreement with the Father and Jesus. Finally, it involves speaking the truth in love, which builds up both oneself and others in Christ.

What are the dangers of not knowing or rejecting the truth?

The sources highlight significant dangers associated with a lack of truth or the rejection of it. A lack of knowledge of the truth can lead to destruction, as stated in Hosea 4:6 (“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”). Rejecting the truth, whether by not reading the Bible or not receiving scriptural teaching, prevents individuals from walking in what Jesus has done for them or receiving what God has given. Furthermore, a lack of truth makes one susceptible to false prophets, false teachers, and destructive heresies, which lead to bondage, captivity, and spiritual destruction. Lies, originating from the devil, imprison individuals, whereas the truth sets them free.

How can one discern truth from falsehood in a world full of deceptive information?

In a world filled with “fake news” and deceptive narratives, discernment is crucial. The sources strongly advise against blindly accepting information, even from seemingly reputable sources like social media, famous individuals, or even church pulpits. The key is to test everything against the Word of God (the Bible). Believers are urged to “test the spirits whether they are of God” because “many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This means having one’s Bible readily available to confirm what is being heard, like “chewing the meat and spitting out the bones” of a sermon, to avoid spiritual “catastrophe.”

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into truth?

The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in guiding believers into all truth. He is referred to as the “Spirit of truth” and faithfully leads individuals into “all truth.” This guidance is not based on the Holy Spirit’s own authority, but rather in perfect agreement with the Father and Jesus, revealing what God has already planned and spoken. To receive this guidance, believers must be willing to listen, hear His voice, and follow Him, avoiding any resistance to God’s direction, as seen in Paul’s experience of “kicking against the goads.” The Holy Spirit speaks through the Bible, but also through visions, dreams, prophecies, and words of knowledge, all of which must be tested against the Bible.

What is the ultimate source of all lies, and why is this important to understand?

Jesus explicitly identifies the devil as the “father of all lies” in John 8:44. He was a “murderer from the beginning” and has no truth in him; when he lies, he speaks out of his own character. Understanding that all lies originate from the devil is critically important because it highlights the spiritual warfare at play. It reminds believers of the need for constant diligence in knowing and walking in truth to avoid being deceived, just as Eve was in the Garden of Eden. This knowledge reinforces the necessity of relying on God’s truth as a protective shield against the devil’s destructive schemes and persuasive falsehoods.

Scripture References:

  • Book of Revelations, Chapter 19
  • Third Epistle of John, Verse 4
  • Third Epistle of John, Verses 2-3 2
  • Timothy 2:15
  • John 14:26
  • Hosea 4:6
  • Ecclesiastes 12:10
  • John 8:31-32
  • John 8:36
  • Acts 26:14
  • John 16
  • John 8:44
  • 1 John 4:1
  • 2 Timothy 2:14-16
  • Psalm 43
  • Psalm 119:105
  • Isaiah 55:11

Related Articles or Posts