Breaking The Silence Of TRUTH
America is rapidly departing from God and descending into a moral and spiritual crisis. This is
undeniably clear to followers of Jesus the Christ. The Bible declares that a departure from God’s Word leads
to national judgment. The same biblical warning signs of national judgment that appeared in the last days of
ancient Israel are now reappearing on American soil. Thankfully, the Bible declares that there is a path of hope
and a way of escape. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek
My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land”(2 Chron 7:14).
Today we live in a time when the truth is all but suffocated beneath the fabricated rubbish of false
religious doctrines, false science and counterfeit education!
The virtues of the past, which set the moral standards of our forefathers are replaced by modern
behaviorism giving expression to new thought, philosophies that which are considered old fashioned in conduct
is now outmoded by a succession of so called “up to date norms.”
The spiritual ideals which gave integrity to character in the United States of America are all but hidden
from view. Example, the Associated Press announced that it is banishing the phrase illegal immigrant from
its reporting. News-gathering outlets are now advised to not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegal’s or
undocumented illegal’s anymore! But use the term illegal only when referring to action, not a person. It won’t
be long before illegal border crossings– illegal visa over-stayers– illegal deportation evaders and illegal alien
traffickers, will all be referred to as “our fellow Americans.”
Another example used to make truth fuzzy is, remember Nidal Hussian, who murdered 13 soldiers at
Fort Hood, Texas on November 5,2009, after yelling Alah -Akbar! Our government now calls this shooting
“work place violence,” instead of a terrorist act!! Another watered down governmental lie! Today the word
“gay” is used to cover the homosexual practices that are an abomination!
Our Constitution was formulated from the Bible but it is now being ignored and trampled on by our
White House government, which no longer practices telling the truth.
Bible based principles of truth cannot be annihilated by popular consent just because the majority has
succumbed to easier rules of demeanor. Today the bright glare of worldly wisdom has obscured the truth,
causing many to perish spiritually.
The prophet Malachi addresses a message to those of us who have been steadfast in God’s truth. “But
unto you that fear My name shall the sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go
forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the
soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Mal 4:2-3).
In God’s churches the term truth has been used in many ways. For instance, the Plain Truth magazine,
the Plain Truth about Christmas, the Plain Truth about Healing, etc. Around the early 1970's, the word work
– replaced the word truth! We used to ask where did you learn about the truth, now the word work is used!
What year did God call you into the work? Mr. Stanley Rader started using the secular term work replacing the
term truth, so he and Mr. Armstrong would not offend those - not called, while traveling to another countries.
Truth is something we need to be reminded of on a regular bases, so we will not turn or drift away
from it’s meaning. Webster Dictionary defines truth as faithful, sincerity in action, spiritual reality, true
statements in accordance with fact. We have been called at the end of this age to be entrusted with the truth of
God, just as many of God’s called brothers and sisters have been, that live around this world today.
Let’s look at several areas of truth from God’s foundational word starting with the book of John, where
truth is a word frequently used. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that it
may abide with you for ever; Even the spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees it not,
neither knows it: but you know it; for it dwells with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17).
John continues to say in John 16:13, “How be it when it, the spirit of truth, is come, it will guide you into
all truth: for it shall not speak of its self; but what so ever it shall hear, that shall it speak: and it will shew you
things to come.” Christ’s testimony in John 8: 32 says, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free.” Declaring this truth was the job given to Christ and to those who accepted His truth once they had
been called.
We know people who have wandered and drifted from the truth. They have been unwilling to heed the
unchanging teaching from God’s word. They have put themselves into the category of being a Laodicean,
neither hot nor cold in applying God’s truth that involves living His every word. Letting the Bible interprets the
Bible!
What is the Bibles definition and meaning of the word “Truth”? The word truth is used 235 times in
the King James Version.117 in the Old Testament and 118 in the New Testament. Their definitions for truth
have all the same meaning. 1.) Stability; 2.) Trustworthy; 3.) Loyalty; 4.) Faithful; 5.) Firm; 6.) Stable;
7.) True; 8.) Established as fact; 9.) True to God’s doctrine.
Using that as our foundation for the word “truth.” Notice Exodus 18, where Moses father- in-law was
giving Moses some helpful advice on choosing himself some helpers. Using the Hebrew word “e-meth,”
Strong’s number 571 for “truth.” “Moreover you shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God,
men of truth [e-meth] hating covetousness; and place such over them [others]” (Exo 18:21). By this example
– if truth were required today in the choice of men for responsible positions in government, the stability and
strength of any nation would be greatly increased.
Notice now in the New Testament where the word truth is written in Greek. Truth here is alethela,
Strong’s # 225. It stands in contrast to falsehood or unrighteousness and it denotes that which conforms to fact
or to what is right and proper. It is used as an example in Rom 2:8, “But unto them that are contentious, and do
not obey the Truth, [aletheea] but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.” Paul is saying those who are
divisive and self-seeking do not care to be loyal to the truth, they are lovers of their own self and prefer to have
pleasure in unrighteousness.” I think you can see this word “truth” is used in a volume of different ways
There is a hidden Greek expression that speaks of “Truth,” that is found in 2 Thess 2:3, This is a very
familiar verse to us that uses the term “Falling away.” “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall
Not come, except there come a falling away first.” Falling away in Greek is apostasia, Strong’s # 646. Its
literal meaning is: a defection from truth [isn’t that what is happening in the world today?]. Isn’t that what the
U.S.A. is doing – falling away from the Constitutional laws that our forefathers assembled from the Bible? This
defection from truth, as we now know is to precede Christ’s return!
The Apostle Paul had warned Timothy of similar dangers, saying that a time was coming when men
would turn to fables, closing their ears to the truth. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; [sound Biblical truth] but after their own lusts shall they heap [multiply] to themselves teachers,
having itching ears” (2 Tim 4:3-4).
We are now living in a time when people will not listen to the truth, but will go around looking for
teachers who will tell them smooth, articulated things, just what they want to hear. Vs.4, “And they shall turn
away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Those whom Paul is describing here, refuse to
accept the Bible as their sole authority and standard for religious teaching and personal conduct. Something else
to think about is truth [sound doctrine] does not praise man. Truth - reveals the nature of God and of His remedy
for sin.
Timothy lays bare what we must do in this historic and prophetic end times that we now are living in.
2000 years of church history reveals people of truth and courage have always been willing to take Timothy’s
warnings. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about
questions and strife of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, perverse disputing of men
of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth” (1 Tim 6:3-5). In another word’s, these teachers have dedicated
themselves to preserve traditional errors. Listen to the inspired advice Timothy gives when finishing that verse.
“Supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself.”
When we find the truth we are to stick with it like the apostles and prophets did. Paul shows that
receiving salvation is attached to “Belief of the truth.” “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you
Brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.” ( 2 Thess 2:13). Sanctification means to set apart–
separated for truth–separated to make holy–separated to purify–or separated to show Godly reverence.
Christ when praying to the Father about us, said in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through Your truth: Your
word is truth.” So what does it mean to you and me, to put truth into our lives? And to be set apart [sanctified]
by God’s truth? Christ continued His prayer to His and our Father in heaven in verse 18 and 19, saying, “As you
have sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself,
that they also might be sanctified (set apart, separated, literally) through the Truth.” Christ was sent by God
the Father to be a witness to the truth. Verse 19 tells us, this is our job and commission to witness to the truth.
After Christ was resurrected – He said to His disciples in John 20:21, “Peace be unto you: as My father has sent
Me, even so send you.”
Looking back to John 14, we will notice what Christ promised us - His disciples. “Verily, verily, I say
unto you, he that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do;
because I go unto My Father” (John 14:12). God’s called today, have been given the responsibility to do the
ongoing work of Jesus Christ – preach the gospel– the soon coming Kingdom of God.
Notice Psalms 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, called the “Great Psalm,” - on the word of God.
“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is the truth” (Psa 119:142). The law of God
is not only true, but the truth itself! The only word God is obligate to bless is His word! We are expected to
obey and live our life by the laws of God and by His basic foundational Ten Commandments.
Those who ignore and disobey are living in error and falsehood. When we are called and given God’s
Holy Spirit to learn of His truth, we are then privileged to learn to be righteous servers for God’s millennial
kingdom just ahead. We are to apply God’s word, His commandments and laws, as the foundation to develop
and grow by. Psalm 119:151 tells us, “all” God’s commandments are “truth.” Every promise of truth God tells
us, is sure of fulfillment.
Our Lord, when giving a sermon on the Mount, said, He came to fulfill the law not to make it invalid or
to abolish it. Matt 5: verse 17, starts with “Think not.” Here Christ is speaking to those who were making light
of His laws. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy (annul
the law), but to fulfil it. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle will by no means
pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (till all be established )” (Matt. 5:17-18). There will be no changes in God’s
divine laws, that will bring anyone into conformity to man’s will. Vs. 19, “Whosoever therefore shall break
(cancel) one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least [that is, looked
upon as the least worthy] in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Christ is stating the attitude that God’s government will take toward law
breakers. Psalm.119 says, “Your word is true from the beginning: and every one of Your righteous judgments
endures for ever” (Psalm.119:160). God’s word is the totality of truth He wants us to become filled with truth
because truth is eternal! God’s truth makes us special It gives us liberty and freedom. We are exhorted by Paul
to “Stand fast.” “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled
again with the yoke of bondage.” The yoke of sin– the yoke of mans traditions
Remember what John 8 told us, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John
8:32). Truth sets us apart and God’s truth will last forever, for all eternity. Going back to the Psalms, “For the
Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His Truth endures to all generations” (Psa 100:5). Truth is the
promise on which eternity will last and truth is the foundation of eternal life. This is why Joshua instructed Israel
early on to serve God in sincerity and truth. “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in
truth” (Joshua 24:14). Our calling is to serve the Lord with stability, faithfulness, sincerity and in truth.
We are to be a walking, breathing manifestation of His truth. He handed the mantle of sincerity and truth to us -
His spiritual Israelites, to not hide truth under a bush or run from the responsibility of delivering truth! Christ
speaking, “ I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that it may abide with you for ever;
even the spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees it not, neither knows it: but you know
it; for it dwells with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17). This phrase “in you” emphasizes the indwelling
of God’s Holy Spirit that is in the hearts of those that have understood. The Proverbs tells us, “Buy the truth,
and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (Prov 23:23). There is a
saying, “Time is money,” our investment of time in buying and obeying God’s truth will pay dividends for all
eternity. The truth is a treasure to be gained at any cost and never to be relinquished, what ever the temptation.
God’s Holy Spirit is priceless. No value can be put on the “Spirit of truth.” God gives His called small
little bits of truth based on their capacity to want to learn how to handle His truth. This is why we are all in
different stages of growth in getting sin out of our lives.
Manifesting truth is not an easy task. God shows us a little truth at a time. As He helps us put sin out
He puts truth in. By now we should begin to see the Holy Spirit is actually and literally called the spirit of truth.
Christ asked God the Father to send the Holy Spirit of Truth to help us. “I have yet many things to say unto you,
but you cannot bear them now. How be it when it, the spirit of truth, is come, it will guide you into all truth: for
it shall not speak of its self; but whatsoever it shall hear, that shall it speak: and it will show you things to come”
(John 16:12-13).
We know in Matthew 24: Mark 13: and Luke 21, Jesus revealed end time events that are to take place.
But more light concerning the future was to be given His “called out ones.” For Example, the prophecies in
Revelation are an outstanding example of how God’s spirit of truth is being understood. John, in Revelation
2 and 3 declared at the end of all the 7 messages given to the churches wrote, “let him hear what the spirit
saith unto the churches.” That verse should read, Let him hear what the spirit of truth saith unto the churches!
The spirit of truth guides us to the truth! It will tell us of things to come. God’s spirit opens our mind
to His truth, so truth can grow in us. The basics of truth is the nourishment of God’s word and we build on it unto
perfection and maturity is achieved.
Truth is a building block after our baptism, and being in God’s church for a period of time. We come
to understand and recognize truth does not come all at once. Each person God calls is unique, we each grow in
truth and knowledge at different levels of understanding. And we all have different talents so we can help
serve one another through having different talents!
Have we locked on to what God’s truth is teaching us? The Apostle John gives us the key. One, John
addresses love, deed and truth. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and
in truth” (1 John 3:18). John is discouraging love that limits itself to just words and languages, when helpful
deeds in serving the spirit of truth are needed. Vs.19, “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall
assure our hearts before Him.” Our action of deeds in serving the truth, God sees and hears.
If we exercise active love for truth and not try to bend and twist God’s laws and truths, we will know God
is listening and is hearing our prayers. Vs. 20, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and
knows all things.” If we don’t live by God’s truth then our heart, the part God sees will condemn us.
We need to empty all our pockets of sin and untruths, taking them boldly before God in prayer, so we
can live a Godly wholesome life that Christ wants for us! ☜
James Russell
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I'LL FOLLOW MY LORD
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Oh blessed Lord, I'll follow You,
No matter what all others do;
And to Your word I will be true,
Whatever trials may ensue.
To Israel You gave Your word:
The selfsame word which Moses heard;
To think it's changed is so absurd,
Though this is what some have inferred.
You have not changed; You're still the same.
You died for us, despised the shame,
And for our sins You took the blame,
For this I glorify Your name.
While I was still a slave to sin,
Your love was with me even then.
You changed my heart and spirit, when
Your Holy Spirit You placed within.
So, by Your spirit pure and true
Help me, Your perfect will, to do.
I want to grow to be like You,
And, in Your kingdom, born anew.
Maggie Brannon