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When I was young, our family lived next door to brothers who had a gorgeous apple tree in their yard. The apples looked so good and juicy, and we all wished that we could have one. There were five sisters in my family at this time. A brother came much later. One day, the neighbour told us that we could have some of his apples. Four of us sisters picked and took a basket home to mother. Dad asked where the apples came from. We all said that we got them from our neighbour. We all got a spanking for lying even though we were telling the truth. We found out much later that Dad had broken his leg as a child by climbing a neighbour's tree to steal apples. Truth does not always guarantee that trouble or accusation will not ensue.
Over the years of raising children, how many times do we say in conversation, "Tell me the truth"? Sometimes, we even add the phrase, "No trouble if you tell me the truth." Family, friends, neighbours, and our workplaces want to see people of integrity and honesty.
Today's world seems to present many untruths on social media, on television, and in print. Advertisements are saturated in exaggeration. There is so much fake news that people are hired to refute it. Even photos can be misleading sometimes. The tragedy is that the public tends to quickly believe what they see and hear without checking a reliable source.
The disciple Thomas was one who was concerned about checking out the truth:
John 20:25 – The other disciples told [Thomas], "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." (NIV)
Just a few days before, on the evening before His crucifixion, when Thomas had wondered where Jesus was going, He had told him and the other disciples:
John 14:6 – I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (NIV)
John 16:13a – When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. (NIV)
John 17:17 – Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (NIV)
Thomas learned that his Saviour truly was truth. Tradition tells us that Thomas took the message of the gospel to India.
Scripture is truth. We can count on what we learn from the Bible. The indwelling Holy Spirit helps believers to know how God wants them to live. Our actions and words need to exemplify our witness of being a Christian.
Prayer: Dear Father, keep us as people of truth, even when there is a cost. Help us to remember that Your Son Jesus paid the cost of our salvation at Calvary. Help our lives to exhibit integrity to everyone around us. Help us to appreciate Your goodness, love, and grace. Amen.
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May it be so, Ruth.
Thank you, Ruth, for this salient devotional reminder. Blessings.
Thanks, Ruth. The John 14 reference, by the way, is a gospel song that is set to music. I have often sung it. Yay for truth in all its guises.
Thanks Ruth!
Did not Truth get Jesus crucified? Truth is offensive to some folks partly since they simply do not know what to do with it.
Blessings.
Amen Ruth. Scripture is truth. And even though God and scripture are unpopular these days, the truth cannot be changed.
Keep writing.
Blessings.
Ruth, thank you for your devotional on Truth. This morning I finished a study on the Gospel of John and your devotional tied in beautifully with what I’ve been learning.
Every blessing in Christ Jesus.
Hello Ruth,
Very good words with good advice. Our Lord suffered great agony so that we can have Him as our everlasting Saviour. We need be ever thankful for His love, grace and mercy shown to us. Thank you for your very meaningful writings. Blessings.
Good morning Ruth,
A good devotional about truth. Sometimes when we tell the truth we are obviously not believed. But truth is still the best, always.
Thanks for writing another interesting and meaningful devotional and blessings.
Hello Ruth
Thank you for your scriptures that show God is the only One and that we can believe that for sure.
It is so true with so much false info out there; it gives peace knowing where to go for the truth to guide us daily.
Blessings.
Dear Ruth,
Your devotional is full of “truth” and it is important for us to remember. Your family is the opposite of mine – five brothers and me in the middle. Lots of good stories when there are so many children in the family. Thank you for sharing one of yours and reminding us of the truth that is in the Bible and the Holy Spirit who helps us each day to be better. I join with you in your prayer to remember to be “people of truth” and to spread the word through our own story to help others understand the importance of Jesus in their lives. May you be blessed with a truthful tongue and a heart filled with joy.