HELEN SANDERS
9-17-2025
WHAT IS TRUTH?

I remember watching a television show where someone was testifying during a trial. They placed their left hand upon the bible, raised their right hand, and told to repeat, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.” This affirmation meant they would not lie when asked to testify. If they did, they would be in contempt of court and would face criminal charges.

Of course, in this era they have taken out the “so help me God” part to be “politically correct” and not offend anyone.

But what is truth? Why did they place their hand on the bible? It was used because you would affirm that the word of God was where you found truth.

What did Jesus have to say about truth? In John 14:5 Thomas asked Jesus where he was going and how to get there, he said, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus answered Thomas in verse 6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The word truth comes from a Greek word lanthano which means to be hid. When we have Jesus hidden in our heart, the Holy Spirit then guides us into all truth [John 16:13]. We learn of truth as we diligently study the scriptures.

One can swear on a bible to tell the truth about things, but if he doesn’t know THE TRUTH, which is Jesus himself, he has fooled himself. The real truth is found in Jesus Christ, the word made flesh that dwelt among us. [John 1:1]

Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."   Study the word of God and you will find wisdom, understanding, knowledge and most of all the Truth.