Are
You In Search of Truth?James R. Davis
When someone is sworn in as a witness in a court
of law, the question is always asked, "Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" In the spiritual
realm it would help us if we would ask ourselves: Is it the truth? Is it
the whole truth? Is it nothing but the truth?
Is it the truth?
Is it the truth? In our studies this question
must be foremost in our minds. This approach to the scriptures will help
one discover truth; it will help keep our minds open and receptive toward
the truth. It will also keep us in an honest and persistent search for
the truth.
When the Bereans first heard the gospel preached
they thought, "Is it the truth?" Thy tenaciously sought the truth. "Now
these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily whether
these things were so." (Acts 17:11) They were not naive enough to be "
. . . tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error." (Ephesians
4:14) To these courageous souls the truth was a guiding light; it was like
a beacon in the night. They were not afraid of where the truth would lead.
They were not afraid that the truth would make shipwreck of their lives.
They were not searching the scriptures in an effort to twist and distort
them to support their own views. They were not trying to prove Paul wrong.
The Bereans' veracity led them to examine the scriptures for the truth.
Is it the whole truth?
Is it the whole truth? One can know some truth
without knowing the whole truth. A witness in a courtroom can tell the
truth without revealing the whole truth. Abimelech knew the truth about
Abraham's sister, but he did not know the whole truth. He did not know
that Sarah was also Abraham's wife. (Genesis 20:1-18)
Paul's statement to the Ephesian elders emphasizes
the importance of having the whole truth. "Wherefore I testify unto you
this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from
declaring unto you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:26-27) Augustine
said, "he who conceals a useful truth is equally guilty with the propagator
of an injurious falsehood." man must never be satisfied with half-truths.
Half-truths could mean life or death in a courtroom. A half-truth almost
brought the wrath of God upon Abimelech. Half-truths cause men to be lost.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing!"
The Bereans were resolved not only to the truth,
but also to the whole truth. They did not suffer from cowardice when Paul
presented truth that was new to them. They did not arrogantly think, "We
already know all of the truth." neither did they suffer from the laziness
that is content with half-truths. They knew some truth, but they thought,
"Is it the whole truth?"
Is it nothing but the truth?
Is it nothing but the truth? This question implies
the possibility of distorting and destroying the truth by mixing it with
error. A witness in court could tell the whole truth, but mislead the jury
by the addition of one simple fact. The truth is easily polluted and perverted.
God gave stern warning against adding to his word. "I testify unto every
man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, "If any man shall
add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in
this book. (Revelation 22:18)
Many in Berea possessed an insatiable desire for
the truth. They wanted nothing less . . . or anything more than the truth.
They did not merely wish to have truth on their side, but sincerely wished
to be on the side of truth. Their vigilant search for the truthfulness
of Paul's preaching demonstrated that they wanted nothing but the truth.
Every person must make an honest and persistent
search for the truth. Our sanctification and salvation are dependent upon
truth! (John 8:32; 17:17) We must not be satisfied with less than the truth;
neither should we want anything more than the truth.
Personal Application
Do we as individuals want the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth? Do we as Christians live the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Preachers, do we preach the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Do we as churches stand for
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will
know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)
