2 Corinthians 13:8, “For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.”
We live in a time like that of ancient Rome when Pilot heard Jesus’ mission to “testify to the truth” and proudly retorted, “What is truth?” John 18:37-38. Many people today have adopted a view of truth known as “relativism.” Relativism is a belief system that holds to the point of view that there is no absolute truth. When a relativist hears Christians make biblical truth claims about morality they will usually respond by saying something like, “Well, that may be true for you, but it’s not true for me.” The reason why the react this way is because they don’t believe any truth is absolute (always true for everyone).
However, what is remarkable about this erroneous view of truth is that people actually believe it though it is completely self-defeating and utterly contradictory. For example, when the relativist states, “There is no absolute truth” they are actually making an absolute truth claim. In other words, if there were no absolute truths, no statement could ever be absolutely true, including the one they just made! So a great response to their claim is to ask, “Is the statement, ‘There is no absolute truth’ absolutely true?”
Another example of relativism’s contradictory nature is when they say, “Your belief may be true for you but it’s not true for me because nothing is true for everybody.” Like before, this statement makes a claim that truth is always relative. But if truth is always relative than the statement itself couldn’t always be true because it is also relative. You could then simply ask, “Is the statement, ‘Its true for you but not for everybody,’ true for everybody?”
I know dealing with people like this can be hard and even seem confusing but the only reason it feels so “mind bending” is because relativism tries to divorce truth (facts corresponding to reality) from logic (how we understand and reason within reality). As a result, logic and truth work together to form a proper understanding of reality. So if something is illogical it cannot be true and when something is true it will always be logical. Therefore, may we all be like Paul who stated in the passage above, “We cannot do anything against truth, but only for truth!”
Here are there ways you can stand for truth; (1) Believe that absolute truth exists, (2) Understand that truth exists because God created a world based on natural laws that can be understood through science, math, and logic. God is the “grounding” or “foundation” for natural laws. (3) Use the Bible to help others understand that truth comes from God and is applicable to all areas of their lives. Meaning, the best scientists, doctors, politicians, workers, inventors, teachers, businessmen, and parents are those who believe in God’s absolute truths and apply them into their everyday lives.
Reflection
What ways have you seen God’s truth attacked in your culture?
Action
- Explain from the Bible why you should stand for absolute truth.
- Pray that God will use you to reach out with His truth to those who think everything is relative.
- For more information regarding standing for truth read the following books, “True Truth,” by Art Lindsley and “Evidence that Demands a Verdict,” by Josh McDowell.
