What Is Truth?

There is a crucial question I need to ask. In fact, it’s the most important question one can ever ask, and it’s the same question Pilate asked Jesus. What is truth?

The answer influences every decision I make and will shape my entire outlook on life. Every one of us has asked this question, and how you answer it is equally crucial because it influences every area of your life as well.

Does truth stand the test of time? Does it change with the surrounding culture? Is it internal or external? Is it both? Does truth vary from person to person? How can I know the difference between truth and a clever counterfeit? Let’s look into this and see what we come up with.

What is truth? I’ve heard it stated that truth is relative, and a number of people believe that to be true (no pun intended). In fact, relativistic truth is promoted throughout the modern western world. Truth is portrayed as being subjective in nature with different versions for different people, but that thinking is false. It doesn’t line up with reality and it doesn’t make sense.

Is Truth Subjective or Objective?

Can truth be subjective? The way someone is raised, the surrounding culture, religious observance, and family values all lend to forming subjective truth. But as the term suggests, subjective truth is just that – it’s subjective. It is a mindset acted on from an internal perspective, and subjective truth changes from person to person (from subject to subject).

While subjective ‘truth’ may be meaningful for that person, that version might not conform to another, opposing ‘truth’ that another individual deems equally valid. That dichotomy creates a lot of conflict. Truth to a member of ISIS is vastly different in character than truth as proclaimed by the Word of God!

Objective truth is different than subjective truth because it is based on external observations and not internal interpretations. Objective truth is just that – it is objective (centered on the object being examined or considered). It’s a mindset acted on from an external perspective, and the findings don’t change from person to person. Reason then dictates that truth is not subjective, but objective.

What is truth? Truth, by its very nature, is external and not internal. For this reason, objective truth is the keystone to a proper understanding of science, philosophy, life, and reality itself. Subjective truth can’t ever be proven because it is internal in nature. Objective truth, however, can be proven because it is external in nature and can be validated by others.

The Nature of Truth

Truth is, by its very nature, consistent. What was true a thousand years ago is still true today. What is true today will still be true a thousand years from now.

Truth doesn’t change just because someone disagrees with it.

Truth doesn’t change because someone chooses to place greater emphasis on subjectivity and personal opinion versus objectivity and reality.

If truth is unchanging because it is true, it can be proven to be true over and over again.

Can Truth Be Proven?

Truth can be proven in many different ways, and as the cornerstone of science it is validated all the time. Truth is reproducible for everyone, in every situation, every time, all the time.

Truth is proven mathematically every single day by people everywhere. The statement 2+2=4 was true yesterday, it’s true today, and it will be true tomorrow. Anyone can validate it and prove that it’s true.

Truth is proven scientifically every single day through experimentation, balancing chemical equations, genetics, gravitational computations, and a host of other disciplines. Sodium atoms fused with chloride atoms will yield salt. That process was true yesterday, it’s true today, and it will be true tomorrow.

Truth can also be proven philosophically (i.e. through the Bible), just as it can be proven mathematically or scientifically. The precepts contained in the Bible are consistent, and its results are reproducible for everyone, in every situation, every time, all the time.

Following the instructions of the Bible yields consistent results. Whether it concerns financial principles, moral character, sexual conduct, societal structure, interpersonal relationships, or more, the Bible has been proven true throughout the ages. People who follow after the instruction of the Word of God reap the benefits of obedience. Those who disregard them reap the consequences of disobedience.

The most important thing, though, is that we can know the Bible is true because we can know Jesus; the One Who is the Truth. Knowing Him fulfills all the requirements for understanding truth.

Jesus IS Truth

What is truth? Jesus claims that He is the truth, not that He merely tells the truth.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (NKJV)

If this is so then His claim can be validated just as any other truth can be validated. Let’s compare the criteria of truth against what He claims.

Jesus is both internal and external. He is internal, because when one repents and turns to Him He comes into our heart and life. He is external because He created everything and stands apart from His creation.

Jesus is both subjective and objective. He is subjective because He relates individually to the believer. He is objective because He (and His Word) stands apart from all else and His truth can be validated. Its results are reproducible for everyone, in every situation, every time, all the time.

Jesus is consistent because He never changes.

God’s Word is truth (Ps 119:160; John 17:17).

Truth is a Person, and His name is JESUS.