Finding Truth

Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.

• George Washington

Truth

The two-millennia-old question still resonates today in various forms.

How do we tell fact from fiction?  Is there absolute truth?  How do we find the truth for ourselves?

In a world with countless voices claiming the right answer to any question, it can be challenging to separate truth from opinion.  Here are some ways to move forward with faith in your search for truth.

Know what you know

Learning is a lifelong process.

As you seek truth, spend some time reflecting on what you’ve learned up to this point.  As Leo Tolstoy wisely said,

“Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.”

The washing-away process starts with what truth you have first.

Ask questions

What holes in your faith and understanding need filling?

Think of specific questions before you start searching for answers.  Sometimes what you ask may be a mere starting point on a journey of understanding, but at least it gets you moving in a direction.

Research and reach out

You aren’t expected to have all the answers on your own.

As you look for truth, turn to trusted sources for guidance—whether that means a mentor in your life, an insightful public figure, or a book.  Countless resources available to you can help you advance in your journey.

Evaluate new information against known truth

As you come upon new information, it helps to contrast it with what you already know to be true, or to view it through the lens of your beliefs.  This will help you see the new information more clearly as you refine your understanding of truth.

Look at the results

As the saying goes, “the proof is in the pudding.” Some ideas might sound wise—but, when examined more closely, prove to be hollow.  It may take a long view to really see how an idea plays out.  As another saying goes, “time discovers truth.”

As you search for truth, remember to let your faith guide your path.  Trust your ability to add to the truth and knowledge you’ve already worked hard to gain.  As Buddha wisely said,

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

You will be rewarded for your efforts—and, as Jesus taught,

“the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

The Bible

We are urged to seek wisdom.  In Proverbs 8:17 divine wisdom cries out to us, urging us to pursue it.  Wisdom speaks figuratively as a person.

“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.
Proverbs 8:17

We must understand that if we seek wisdom, we will find wisdom.  Wisdom is not truth, but insight and determining the best action based on knowledge of truth.

Many people have done exceedingly well in school and earned high GPAs, but they are not very wise.  In Proverbs 8:17, divine wisdom states that if we want to be wise, we must earnestly seek it.  In the process of seeking divine wisdom, we will find God.

Once a person becomes a Christian, the journey to discovering more spiritual truth continues, but it requires that the individual continuously abides in the study of Scripture.

So, Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed in Him,

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32

The word for abide has the idea of remaining, staying, or lingering.  If we seek truth, we must abide and meditate on His word.  The truth does make us free – free from sin in Jesus Christ – free from darkness – freedom in light or truth.

God teaches us that we can find Him if we seek Him sincerely and deeply.  The facts of the universe and life will become obvious; if we seek wisdom in the pages of the Bible, we will know truth and our God more deeply.  Truth is found as we seek God in the pages of Scripture.

Seek truth through wisdom, and find God and the light.