Walking the Path of Truth: Embracing God's Character

 

Summary

In our exploration of the ninth commandment, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor," we are reminded that each commandment reflects the character of God, who is a God of truth. This commandment, while specifically addressing perjury, extends to a broader category of sins related to lying, such as flattery, exaggeration, and gossip. These are all manifestations of saying what achieves a desired result, regardless of the truth. The essence of lying is rooted in self-interest, often leading us to hide from the truth because it does not always present us in a pure light.

We are called to walk two roads: the broad road of deception and the narrow path of truth. The broad road is characterized by the questioning of truth, a tactic first used by Satan in the Garden of Eden. This road leads to a world where truth is subjective, and power and opinion reign supreme. In contrast, the narrow path of truth is about living in the truth through believing, obeying, seeing, and releasing. This path is dynamic and transformative, leading to authentic discipleship.

Living in truth requires us to speak the truth in love, avoiding the pitfalls of becoming "truth terrorists" who use truth destructively. We must balance truth with grace, ensuring our words build up rather than tear down. As we walk this path, we are called to rejoice in the truth, even amidst life's challenges, knowing that all history is moving towards the ultimate revelation of Jesus Christ, who is the truth.

Key Takeaways:

- Reflecting God's Character: The ninth commandment calls us to reflect God's character by living truthfully. Lying, in any form, is a deviation from God's nature and aligns us with the enemy, who is the father of lies. Our commitment to truth should be rooted in our relationship with God, who is truth itself. [00:28]

- The Broad Road of Deception: Satan's strategy is to question the reality of truth, leading society to view truth as subjective. This undermines the foundation of truth, resulting in a world governed by power and opinion rather than objective truth. [07:28]

- The Narrow Path of Truth: Living in truth involves a dynamic process of believing, obeying, seeing, and releasing. This path leads to authentic discipleship, where faith is not just intellectual assent but a transformative journey of obedience and revelation. [16:10]

- Speaking the Truth in Love: We are called to speak truth with grace, avoiding the destructive tendencies of "truth terrorists." Our words should build up and benefit others, reflecting the love and wisdom of Christ. [34:09]

- Rejoicing in the Truth: Even in difficult circumstances, we can rejoice in the truth, knowing that Jesus Christ, the truth, is exalted and that all history is moving towards His ultimate revelation. This hope sustains us as we walk in the light of truth. [39:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Ninth Commandment
- [00:40] - The Essence of Lying
- [01:40] - The Line of Lying
- [02:29] - Flattery and Exaggeration
- [04:12] - Gossip and Its Consequences
- [05:30] - The Broad Road of Deception
- [06:19] - Satan: The Father of Lies
- [07:28] - Questioning the Reality of Truth
- [09:22] - The Clash of Worldviews
- [11:00] - Grasping the Truth
- [12:59] - The Role of God's Word
- [15:36] - The Narrow Path of Truth
- [16:10] - Four Dimensions of Living in Truth
- [18:13] - Believing, Obeying, Seeing, Releasing
- [26:13] - Speaking the Truth in Love
- [34:09] - Avoiding Truth Terrorism
- [38:29] - Rejoicing in the Truth

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 20:16: "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
- John 8:31-32: "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
- Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the ninth commandment specifically address, and how does it extend beyond its immediate context? [00:40]
2. How does the sermon describe the "broad road of deception" and its origins? [05:30]
3. What are the four dimensions of living in the truth according to John 8:31-32, as discussed in the sermon? [16:10]
4. How does the sermon define "truth terrorists," and what are the two types mentioned? [27:36]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the ninth commandment reflect the character of God, and why is lying considered a deviation from His nature? [00:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that society's view of truth has been influenced by Satan's questioning of truth? [07:28]
3. How does the process of believing, obeying, seeing, and releasing lead to authentic discipleship, according to the sermon? [16:10]
4. What does it mean to speak the truth in love, and how can one avoid becoming a "truth terrorist"? [34:09]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to lie for self-interest. How can you align your actions more closely with God's character of truth? [00:28]
2. In what areas of your life do you find yourself questioning the reality of truth? How can you seek God's guidance to discern and uphold the truth? [07:28]
3. Consider the four dimensions of living in truth: believing, obeying, seeing, and releasing. Which area do you find most challenging, and what steps can you take to grow in that aspect? [16:10]
4. How can you ensure that your words build others up rather than tear them down, especially in difficult conversations? [34:09]
5. Think of a situation where you might have acted as a "truth terrorist." How can you approach similar situations with more grace and love in the future? [27:36]
6. How can you rejoice in the truth even when facing life's challenges, knowing that all history is moving towards the ultimate revelation of Jesus Christ? [39:20]
7. Identify one person in your life who may be struggling with understanding or accepting the truth. How can you support them in their journey towards truth this week? [12:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting God's Character Through Truthful Living
Living truthfully is a reflection of God's character, as He is a God of truth. The ninth commandment, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor," calls us to align our lives with this divine attribute. Lying, in any form, is a deviation from God's nature and aligns us with the enemy, who is the father of lies. Our commitment to truth should be rooted in our relationship with God, who is truth itself. This means that our words and actions should consistently reflect honesty and integrity, not just in avoiding outright lies but also in steering clear of flattery, exaggeration, and gossip. By doing so, we honor God and build trust within our communities. [00:28]

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to be completely truthful, and how can you seek God's help to align more closely with His character of truth?


Day 2: The Broad Road of Deception
The broad road of deception is marked by the questioning of truth, a tactic first used by Satan in the Garden of Eden. This road leads to a world where truth becomes subjective, and power and opinion take precedence over objective reality. When society views truth as malleable, the foundation of trust erodes, resulting in chaos and confusion. As believers, we are called to resist this temptation and uphold the truth, recognizing that it is not merely a matter of personal perspective but a reflection of God's unchanging nature. By standing firm in truth, we counteract the enemy's strategy and contribute to a world where integrity and honesty prevail. [07:28]

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you discern and resist the subtle ways in which society encourages you to view truth as subjective?


Day 3: The Narrow Path of Truth
Living in truth involves a dynamic process of believing, obeying, seeing, and releasing. This narrow path leads to authentic discipleship, where faith is not just intellectual assent but a transformative journey of obedience and revelation. Walking this path requires a commitment to align one's life with God's truth, even when it is challenging or countercultural. It is a journey that involves constant growth and transformation, as believers learn to see the world through the lens of God's truth and release their own preconceived notions and biases. By doing so, they become true disciples, reflecting God's truth in every aspect of their lives. [16:10]

"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name." (Psalm 86:11, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your commitment to walking the narrow path of truth in your daily life?


Day 4: Speaking the Truth in Love
We are called to speak the truth with grace, avoiding the destructive tendencies of "truth terrorists" who use truth as a weapon. Our words should build up and benefit others, reflecting the love and wisdom of Christ. Speaking the truth in love means balancing honesty with compassion, ensuring that our communication is edifying rather than harmful. It requires a heart that is attuned to the needs and feelings of others, and a willingness to prioritize their well-being over our desire to be right. By doing so, we create an environment where truth and love coexist, fostering healthy relationships and communities. [34:09]

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you struggled to balance truth and love. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future?


Day 5: Rejoicing in the Truth
Even in difficult circumstances, we can rejoice in the truth, knowing that Jesus Christ, the truth, is exalted and that all history is moving towards His ultimate revelation. This hope sustains us as we walk in the light of truth, providing a sense of purpose and direction amidst life's challenges. Rejoicing in the truth means finding joy in the knowledge that God's truth will ultimately prevail, regardless of the current state of the world. It is a reminder that our efforts to live truthfully are not in vain, but part of a larger divine plan that culminates in the revelation of Christ's glory. [39:20]

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart that rejoices in God's truth, even when faced with challenges or uncertainties in your life?

Quotes



"Now it's good to remember that all of these Commandments are a reflection of the character of God and the Bible tells us that he is a God who keeps his promises in fact a God who cannot lie and when we come into a relationship with this God therefore he calls us to reflect his character in the way that we live our lives." [00:00:13]

"The essence of lying of course is saying what will achieve the desired result irrespective of whether it is the truth that's the heart of Lies it's saying what will achieve the results that I want irrespective of whether what I say is actually the truth." [00:02:05]

"The Bible makes it very clear that the entire human race has fallen into the grip of a lie, in fact the whole Bible story is the unfolding and then the exposing of one massive deception. The Bible Story begins with a lie in the garden it ends in Revelation chapter 21 with all liars being destroyed in the Lake of Fire and at the center is Jesus Christ who says I am the truth." [00:05:43]

"Jesus is saying there is such a thing as truth, it flows from God to his truth and it is found in me I am the truth, and pilate lives in the Raw world of harsh power, he's a politician he knows the people in this world say what they like to get what they want, that is the way of the world he has become so used to it he cannot imagine anything else and he has come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as truth only Power, only spin, only words that are being used to get what people want and so he shrugs his shoulders and he says what is truth." [00:08:32]

"Once you lose objective truth which you do as soon as you discard God from society because all truth flows from him is that you end up in a world in which there is only Power only Power, only opinion, and the most powerful opinion wins, so this is Satan's first strategy taking us down the broad Road of deception questioning the very possibility of Truth." [00:10:34]

"The spirit of God creates the capacity to hear the word of God through the word of God, faith comes by hearing, you say yeah but the big question is how does hearing come answer hearing comes by the word of God, it is the entrance of God's word that gives light the psalmist says." [00:13:03]

"Now notice that Jesus sets out four dimensions of living in the truth, it's very interesting to me that most often half of this verse and only half of it is quoted, but if we're to take the word of God seriously as we want to do here this morning, there are four dimensions to living in the truth, they are believing, obeying, seeing, and releasing." [00:16:25]

"Living the truth is dynamic, you find this all over the gospels look at it just a few verses before in John chapter 8 and verse 12 Jesus says I am the light of the world and whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of Life, marvelous statement but what is he saying he's saying the only way to have the light is to follow the light." [00:23:29]

"Christ calls us not just to believe the truth but to live the truth, what God has joined together let us never separate, and secondly I want to say something posturally about speaking the truth, the narrow path of Truth we're to walk on, it's not just believing it's so obeying that leads to seeing and leads to releasing." [00:25:47]

"Truth terrorists you see a terrorist is someone who seeks to destroy a truth terrorist is someone who uses the truth in a way that destroys, and there are two types of Truth terrorists and you need to watch out for them, and we need to make sure that we don't become like them, one who is simply naive and the other who often becomes brutal." [00:27:39]

"When self-expression becomes more important than christ-centeredness it will not be long before there are significant problems, and I think that that is a word that is desperately needed to be heard very broadly in church world today, it is important to measure the appropriateness of what we share." [00:32:28]

"All history is moving to the day when Jesus Christ will be revealed, evil is already cursed and one day it will be completely destroyed, and Jesus Christ who is the truth is exalted in heaven and every one of his promises is faithful and true, and in this dark world he shines his light unto you, he calls you to take that next step forward as you walk in and follow the light of Truth." [00:39:14]

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Transcript
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