Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes
—Isaiah 5:18
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
—John 8:44
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
—Philippians 4:8
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
—1 John 1:6
There's a lot going on as Paul brings his letter to the Philippian believers to a close. But when Paul—who is fond of lists—writes his “Finally...” list of things for them to keep in their minds and practice, he starts with “whatever is true”.
What we keep in our minds, continuing to think about, influences our attitude, speech, and action. Jesus repeatedly taught about the things that proceed “out of the heart”, whether good or evil. He described the devil (and his children) as so completely filled with lies that there is no room for truth in speech or action.
David caught a glimpse of this. One song connected speaking truth in the heart with dwelling in the Lord's presence. Another emphasized not lifting the soul to falsehood. Isaiah uses different imagery that draws to the same conclusion when he speaks of people using lies as ropes to pull carts full of sin.
Do a concordance search for the word “truth” in the gospels, and prepare to be surprised. John's gospel overflows with the word, beginning with the description of the Son as “full of grace and truth”. Teaching after teaching of Jesus emphasizes truth. And John records the cynical question of the politician Pilate, “What is truth?” Pilate's actions (and inactions!) make clear that he used words to manipulate, not to seek and honor truth.
And John's first letter continues the emphasis, as he uses “truth” as more than an attribute of words.
Doing Truth
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
—Psalm 24:3-4
Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes
—Isaiah 5:18
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
—John 8:44
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
—Philippians 4:8
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
—1 John 1:6
There's a lot going on as Paul brings his letter to the Philippian believers to a close. But when Paul—who is fond of lists—writes his “Finally...” list of things for them to keep in their minds and practice, he starts with “whatever is true”.
What we keep in our minds, continuing to think about, influences our attitude, speech, and action. Jesus repeatedly taught about the things that proceed “out of the heart”, whether good or evil. He described the devil (and his children) as so completely filled with lies that there is no room for truth in speech or action.
David caught a glimpse of this. One song connected speaking truth in the heart with dwelling in the Lord's presence. Another emphasized not lifting the soul to falsehood. Isaiah uses different imagery that draws to the same conclusion when he speaks of people using lies as ropes to pull carts full of sin.
Do a concordance search for the word “truth” in the gospels, and prepare to be surprised. John's gospel overflows with the word, beginning with the description of the Son as “full of grace and truth”. Teaching after teaching of Jesus emphasizes truth. And John records the cynical question of the politician Pilate, “What is truth?” Pilate's actions (and inactions!) make clear that he used words to manipulate, not to seek and honor truth.
And John's first letter continues the emphasis, as he uses “truth” as more than an attribute of words.
Truth is something to be done.