We have seen regarding the subject of hypocrisy that not knowing truth is a type of prison. In John we have a record of a promise from Jesus. He says that if we "abide" (live) in His word, we not only demonstrate our discipleship, but we come into the possession of knowledge of truth and it is truth that releases us from the captivity of deception. However, the knowledge of truth is not conditional upon belief, it is conditional upon living in the word of Jesus.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is "truth" and even the Bible itself is "truth". We can see that living in and immersion in Jesus and His word is an immersion in truth. This cannot but have an effect of clearing away deception from us. In a way it is a type of washing that leaves us free from the contamination of what is false. However, it is not automatic. When Jesus uses the word "if" when addressing believers, He is saying that it is possible to believe in Him and not be immersed in His word. It is sad how many people that claim to be Christian settle for a Christian life that is immersed in the world and secular pursuits instead of being a disciple and knowing truth.
We have an example of Jesus testing some people to see if they were able to receive truth.
Mark 11:28-33 and they said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me." And they discussed it with one another, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'From man'?"--they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
It is interesting to note that the scribes and elders were not interested in what was true, only in what effect a particular answer would achieve. Words of truth have little value to those unfamiliar with Him who is truth.
Before we start to think poorly of the scribes and elders, we should measure our own resistance to truth. The following is a test consisting of several statements. A person can gauge their reaction to each statement to measure how much they value truth.
- Patriotism is a form of idolatry and usurps the place Jesus should have in our affections.
- The highest ambition for a woman is in the home as an honored wife and mother.
- Buying insurance is gambling that the Lord will not care for you.
- Public education is simply a means to indoctrinate children into the religion of secularism.
- Democracy is a Satanic device to help achieve the collectivization of the world.
- Racial groups differ from each other in inheritable traits such as intelligence.
- Most Christian churches are complete failures because they do not help their members to become like Christ.
It is difficult to think there would be a person who would not get angry with at least one of the statements above. The Pharisees got mad at the things Jesus said. They got so mad they wanted to kill Him and they did. They did not ask if what Jesus said was true, they hated what he said because it was insulting their system of belief. They operated from the assumption that whatever they believed was right and anything different was wrong. The Christian who reacts the same way may want to ask himself if he honors truth or if he has in some way become blinded to truth.
Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." - John 18:37
The freedom of truth is also clarity of vision. This clarity is not always joyful. Discerning the pettiness, mal-intent, greed, selfishness, vanity, foolishness, and sin in the world can be a heavy burden. Solomon was given wisdom. He made some choices in life that took him far from the Lord. We can read his words of despair in Ecclesiastes. Seeing truth would almost be a curse if it were not available with the overwhelming love of Christ. It is this love that puts the evil in the world in perspective. Closeness to our Lord not only frees us from blindness, but fills us with His love.