What Is Truth?

Pontius Pilate asked Jesus Christ a question that is still quite common today: “What is truth?” This is a question I’ve heard posed by many who are looking for truth just about anywhere but to the Truth Himself, apparently not even considering Him as a possibility.

God, as He reveals Himself in the Bible, is widely and probably most often unconsciously discounted in the search for the definition of truth. The truth is not a what, but a who.

John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault [at all].

Jesus answered Pilate’s question before he asked it.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Why is it that he who is of the truth hears the voice of Jesus? Simple: Jesus is Truth. In fact, that’s one of His many names.

Revelation 19:11 ¶ And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

His name is True and He is the truth.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Pilate didn’t hear the answer to his question. If he had, he wouldn’t have asked the question. Jesus didn’t use a parable here; he spoke plainly. If Pilate had been of the truth, he would have heard Jesus’ voice clearly enough not to have felt the need to ask, “What is truth?”

Passing judgment on Pilate isn’t the point of this writing. Remembering what Jesus said to him, His definition--nay, identification--of truth, helps to follow God’s advice given through Paul.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

God is effectively telling us that we should be asking ourselves not, “What is truth,” but “Am I of the truth, i.e., “Am I of Jesus Christ?” Do I hear the voice of Jesus, not audibly, but through the Bible? Are we confusing our belief that we have the truth with reality, or are we searching the Scriptures to be sure that our beliefs are true.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:1-5 AV)

The strangers are those who come in Christ’s name and look like the true Christ. These need not be actual men, but only someone’s false idea of who Christ is and what His Word says.

“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:4-5 AV)

All it takes is one misunderstanding of a seemingly minor point taught in the Bible to fail to hear God’s voice through the Scriptures.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:19-21 AV)

Those whom the Father has given to Jesus will hear his voice and not the voice of a stranger, but those who hear the voice of strangers don’t realize it at the time.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 AV)

This is where great care must be taken, hence the warning from God to examine ourselves.

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.