Several months ago I wrote a series of blogs about “5 Life-Changing Truths.” I believe it’s time to re-visit these potentially life-altering truths. The reason for this will become apparent as you read further.

Why this series, this subject, why now? Because truth is vital to living well and to healthy relationships. And, there is evidence there is a concerted effort to replace foundational truths with lies.  

Because this is such an important subject, let me share a definition, and my understanding of the meaning of the word “truth.” The following is what I mean when I use this word. Truth is ” the quality or state of being true; that which is true or by fact or reality” https://www.google.com/search?q=truth&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS984US984&oq=truth&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l2j0i20i131i263i433i512j0i433i512l2j69i6.

Without truth, our marriages, friendships, and all meaningful relationships and transactions get messed up.

Why is that so? Because you and I depend on accurate information to guide us in making wise decisions. While the truth is often hard to hear, I want my doctor, my financial advisor, my dentist, my auto mechanic, my repair people, my wife, my friends, and my family to “tell me like it is.” Think about the following question for a moment.

Have any of these relationships just mentioned changed in your life because of a lack of honesty? 

 Have you stopped using certain services or are you considering a change because you are losing trust in that person or service?

 Trust is one of the most, if not the most, important issue in all relationships. Do people “keep their word,” do they act consistently with what they say, do they attempt to give the straight of things, the best they understand it?

The Pew Research Center gives a dismal view of Americans’ trust in our elected leaders; believing the majority of them seek office for their personal gain. The present administration’s numbers are near a record low. Why? Trust is not there. Why? Because people don’t believe they are getting a “spin” on reality.  https://www.pewresear ch.org/politics/2022/06/06/americans-views-of-government-decades-of-distrust-enduring-support-for-its-role/

Just for the “fun of it,” I’m giving you a visual test by asking you to look at pictures of the current and 3 previous “leaders of the free world.” Which do you trust? Which do you not trust? Why or why not? Does your trust or distrust have anything to do with the way they handle the truth?

 

 

 

Before we jump to the conclusion that politicians are the sole source of the problem, let’s spread the guilt around a little, maybe even look in the mirror, and remember where we may fudge a bit or indulge in some of those “little white lies.”

Have we become so accustomed to lies that we just naturally discount what someone says because we just don’t trust them anymore? This is a sad state of affairs as a nation and as an individual.

It seems we have become so used to lies that we are becoming a society that no longer expects the truth, but is moving toward a position of denial there is such a thing as absolute truth. Many believe reality is whatever they say it is. This way, I become the arbiter and final judge of what is true and what is not. For example, if a biological male thinks or says he is the opposite sex that is a fact, the truth for him. Crazy times!

Truth is something that corresponds to reality. To claim that I am something or someone I am not doesn’t make it true. Why? Because the facts do not align with what I am claiming to be. Truth is what is consistent with what God says truth is. God, not man, has the final word about what is and is not true.

Absolute truth is a fact that applies to everyone, in every situation, all the time. The Bible teaches that ” all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” It also says that the “payment for sin is death.” “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved” is another fact that lines up with reality, God’s Word.

One of the problems with reality is that you can take it or leave it. You can embrace it or deny it. What you decide to do with it doesn’t change reality, but it does change you. But, you must do something with the truth. And, we suffer the dire consequences of denying or distorting it or the blessing of freedom it brings when you commit to living by the truth. Jesus said, ” You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Are you free?

Life is about choices. We can choose to seek the truth or we can choose to avoid it, deny it, distort it, or attempt to destroy it. The power and freedom it brings are available to us but we must choose to use it if it is to change us.

Here’s a simple illustration of what I mean. The office where I work is upstairs, requiring that I negotiate about seventeen pretty steep steps to get to my computer. I am an early riser (about 5:30 A.M.), which means it’s sometimes dark when I come to the foot of the stairs.

I have electricity in my house and sometimes there is enough light for me to safely travel to my loft without using the electricity available to me. Not so this morning. It was rainy and overcast and I couldn’t see the stairs in front of me. As I said, I have electricity and there is a switch on the wall. I have a choice to make, really a no-brainer. The truth (electricity) is available but I need to believe it. I did. I turned on the light and avoided the risk of climbing those stairs in the dark. Truth, like electricity, does me no good unless I use it. 

Speaking of truth, here are the 5 life-changing truths we will be considering in the coming weeks. They are the foundational biblical principles on which I have written my book, Heaven’s Currency.

These are 5 life-changing truths, they will change you if you believe and practice them. I encourage you to commit them to memory and say them to yourself every morning. Make them a part of your thinking and watch the change happen.

Truth # 1. God loves me and has a plan for my life.

Truth # 2. My life is a time-sensitive trust from God.

Truth # 3. I live in a two-world marketplace in which I invest every day.

Truth # 4. The choices I make determine my character, which in turn will determine my destiny.

Truth # 5. Wise choices will provide me with an abundant life now and a great return on my investments in heaven. 

 

Priceless wisdom is available now for the price of a pizza! Only $12.95.

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Something Extra. Some time ago I wrote a blog about how my Cuckoo clock reminds me of the importance of truth and accurate information. You may find this interesting, https://www.cosdavis.com/truth-is