What is Truth?

What is truth?

This short but probing question was addressed to Jesus by Pontius Pilate in John 18:38. The place was Pilate’s judgment hall. The occasion was the trial of the Son of God. There are many who believe that the question was asked in contempt. It came in response to a statement by Jesus that although he is a king, his kingdom is not of this world. And his purpose on this earth was to “…bear witness unto the truth.” (V. 37)

While Pilate’s intentions may have been more sarcastic than sincere, the question remains valid. What is truth? There is certainly a great need in our society for an answer that goes beyond man’s personal and biased opinion. Man generally considers truth to be relative to an individual’s perception, experience and belief. What that means is that truth is actually different for each individual. In other words, there is no such thing as “absolute truth,” that is, truth that does not change. If that is the case, it is impossible to answer the question; you cannot define something that does not exist.

So the question remains:

“What is truth and where can it be found?”

John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 17:17: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

1John 5:6: “And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

John 16:13: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:”

Truth is absolute, and unchanging! It is found in God’s Son, the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Building a strong personal relationship with Christ, while learning the Word of God with the guidance of God’s Spirit, is the only way to gain a clear understanding of truth.