Know the Truth
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
The world has a choice: To search for the truth or to settle for Satan’s lies. We learn the truth primarily from the God’s Word, but Satan tries to keep us from finding God’s truth by filling us with his lies. It’s easy to believe in our own truth because it takes virtually no effort.
The Word tells us that the truth sets us free. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). The truth sets us free from Satan’s lies, and frees us from the world. Satan also tries to feed us a false freedom that makes us think that heaven is our home, even though we don’t know God’s truth.
Most people don’t take the time or see the need to search for God’s truth. Satan keeps their minds busy, worried, and stressed, with little time for God or searching for the truth. They manage through life with their own belief in either a part-time God or no God, based on their own schedules and needs. This is sad because when God is the center of your life and you become the Lord’s servant, the Lord becomes active in your life, guides you in his wisdom, and fills you with love, peace, and joy.
The Lord is pleased when we serve him by being a light in this world, pointing people to the Kingdom. This means that “we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). If we have the faith to put God first in our lives, we will reap his blessings, and he will provide for our worldly needs as well as our spiritual needs. If we are not right spiritually, we will always be searching in this world for fulfillment.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). Only a few find it, because only a few take the time to search for it. In the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, these words of Jesus are recorded seventy-eight times: “I tell you the truth.” The reason Jesus mentioned this statement so many times is because Satan has so many people living in his lies, both in Jesus’ day and even more so in our time. Search for the truth so that you can recognize and overcome Satan’s lies. The truth can be found by reading the Word, praying for the truth, and through fellowshipping with other Christians.
Today live by the truth and take notice of anyone you know who is living in Satan’s lies. Think how to minister to a person living in Satan’s lies, without them responding defensively. Jesus told his disciples they would be known by their love and it is the same for us. We approach people who don’t know the truth with a non-judgmental, caring, loving heart.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me to always live according to your truth, and to overcome the temptations of Satan’s lies. Guide me to reveal your truth to others without making them defensive. I pray for freedom in Christ as I live by your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen