By Stephen WilliamsTruth has always mattered, but it is not always accepted. Truth builds the foundation of trust between people. It gives credibility to our words, stability to our relationships, and the confidence that allows societies to function. Truth is our moral compass, shining the light of purpose and direction. Without truth, we have no direction and we have no trust.Yet people resist the truth. We live in a relativistic world where facts are debated, definitions are reshaped, and personal feelings often outrank reality. In this relativistic world, knowledge, truth, and morality is relative to cultural experiences with no absolutes. Research clearly shows the acceptance of such a world. George Barna reports that 58 percent of American adults agree with the statement, “Identifying moral truth is up to each individual; there are no moral absolutes that apply to everyone, all the time.” Even among those who identify as evangelicals, less than half in one study affirmed belief in moral absolutes. Another Barna Group study found that 64 percent of adults and 83 percent of teenagers believe moral truth depends on the person and the situation. So, what is truth?
What Is Truth?
Jesus encounters this question with Pilate in John 18. When Jesus speaks about truth, Pilate responds, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). In the strictest sense, truth is defined as reality. For example, it is true that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, whether or not anyone believes it. The issue is that culture is reshaping the definition to fit preference. Culture increasingly declares truth is subjective. It answers the question, “What feels true to me?” Emotions and opinions fall into this category. Saying, “I prefer a motorcycle over a truck,” is subjective. It may be true for one person and not for another. Subjective opinions are part of our everyday experiences and are not necessarily bad. However, language like “my truth” and “live your truth,” reflect a worldview where the self becomes the final authority. It is attempting to reshape reality to fit personal desires. Objective truth, however, is true regardless of personal feeling or agreement. It answers the question, “What is true in reality?” Objective truth does not change when opinions change. Gravity works whether we believe in it or not. In the same way, moral and spiritual truth, if objective, is rooted in something beyond human preference. Therefore, if truth is reality, then it cannot be subjective. Preferences can be subjective, but they cannot be truth.
Why People Resist It
One of the reasons we reject truth in favor of relativistic thinking is because our sinful nature wants control. Deep down, the struggle over truth is about who is in charge. God’s truth tells us what is right and wrong, but we often want to decide that for ourselves. When truth challenges our choices, points out our sin, or asks us to change, we naturally push back. Instead of submitting to God, we try to reshape truth to fit what we want. This creates a constant conflict between what God wants for our lives and what we want for ourselves. Accepting truth means giving up control, and that is something our flesh does not like to do. The mindset becomes, if what exists cannot give me what I want, then I will redefine what exists. Jesus explains this resistance when he says, “Everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:20). Truth exposes. It shows us who we really are. It reveals sin and weakness. What the world does not realize is that exposing ourselves to truth is freeing. God loves us so much that He refuses to leave us in the dark. He exposes the truth of our brokenness so He can expose us to the truth of Jesus Christ.
What Is Truth?
Jesus encounters this question with Pilate in John 18. When Jesus speaks about truth, Pilate responds, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). In the strictest sense, truth is defined as reality. For example, it is true that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, whether or not anyone believes it. The issue is that culture is reshaping the definition to fit preference. Culture increasingly declares truth is subjective. It answers the question, “What feels true to me?” Emotions and opinions fall into this category. Saying, “I prefer a motorcycle over a truck,” is subjective. It may be true for one person and not for another. Subjective opinions are part of our everyday experiences and are not necessarily bad. However, language like “my truth” and “live your truth,” reflect a worldview where the self becomes the final authority. It is attempting to reshape reality to fit personal desires. Objective truth, however, is true regardless of personal feeling or agreement. It answers the question, “What is true in reality?” Objective truth does not change when opinions change. Gravity works whether we believe in it or not. In the same way, moral and spiritual truth, if objective, is rooted in something beyond human preference. Therefore, if truth is reality, then it cannot be subjective. Preferences can be subjective, but they cannot be truth.
Why People Resist It
One of the reasons we reject truth in favor of relativistic thinking is because our sinful nature wants control. Deep down, the struggle over truth is about who is in charge. God’s truth tells us what is right and wrong, but we often want to decide that for ourselves. When truth challenges our choices, points out our sin, or asks us to change, we naturally push back. Instead of submitting to God, we try to reshape truth to fit what we want. This creates a constant conflict between what God wants for our lives and what we want for ourselves. Accepting truth means giving up control, and that is something our flesh does not like to do. The mindset becomes, if what exists cannot give me what I want, then I will redefine what exists. Jesus explains this resistance when he says, “Everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:20). Truth exposes. It shows us who we really are. It reveals sin and weakness. What the world does not realize is that exposing ourselves to truth is freeing. God loves us so much that He refuses to leave us in the dark. He exposes the truth of our brokenness so He can expose us to the truth of Jesus Christ.
God’s Word is Truth
How Truth Shapes Our Lives
According to Jesus, truth is meant to change us and shape our lives. Jesus prays that the truth would “sanctify” His people (John 17:17). To be sanctified means to be set apart and reshaped.Truth should shape our character. If God’s Word is true, then integrity matters. Our words should match our actions. Honesty, faithfulness, and consistency become normal patterns of life. In a culture where truth is flexible, living truthfully stands out.Truth should shape our hope. Relativism creates anxiety because nothing is stable. If the truth keeps changing, security disappears. But when truth is anchored in God, hope becomes steady. Jesus promised, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Truth frees us, not to define reality however we want, but to live within God’s good design.Truth should shape our purpose. Jesus came to bear witness to the truth. His followers are called to do the same. We do not retreat from the world, and we do not blend in without conviction. We live as witnesses, speaking truth with humility and grace, and showing how truth shapes real life.As we seek to live by truth, the question becomes how we influence others. Some try to influence a relativistic world with anger or isolation. In John 17, Jesus prays that His followers would remain in the world while being shaped by truth. In John 18, Jesus stands before Pilate without fear or hostility. He simply bears witness to the truth.We influence others by living truthfully. When our lives are consistent, when our hope is steady, and when our relationships reflect grace and honesty, people see what truth looks like. Truth becomes visible when others see how it shapes our reality.In the heart of our world, Pilate’s question still rings out: What is truth? John’s Gospel gives the answer and we are able to declare to others that truth is revealed in God’s Word, revealed in Jesus Christ, and lived out by His people. The final question is not whether truth exists, but whether we will turn to the One who is the Truth.