Truth

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24 NIV)

God gives us His Spirit so we can experience the power, the benefits, and the blessings that come from walking with Him.  His Spirit also leads us into all truth.  When we walk by the Spirit in truth, this is our act of worship.

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. (1 John 1:6 NIV)

There is a difference between truth and not truth.  Pilate asked the question almost rhetorically, "What is truth" (John 18:38).  He asked it with Jesus, the truth, standing right in front of him.  He asked it right before sentencing Jesus to death.  Walking with God is not just about raising our hands, singing the songs, or even praying out loud.  It's about living by the truth.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:21 NIV)

When we live by the truth, God is seen in us.  Our words reflect God.  Our actions reflect God.  We live by and walk by the truth of God.  Everyone can easily see that our words and actions are from God.

Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30 NIV)

Truth is powerful.  It's so powerful that distorted truth can pull people away from God.  It has eternal implications.  When someone preaches or teaches, we should be comparing what they say to the truth.  God's word is truth (John 17:17).

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44 NIV)

Perhaps God calls us to love our enemies because they aren't really our enemies.  They are described as deceived (Revelation 20:10) and taken captive (2 Timothy 2:26).  People aren't really my enemy.  The enemy is my enemy.  He is a liar and the father of lies.  He tries to deceive you and me in order to take us captive to do his will.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist... (Ephesians 6:14 NIV)

Truth stands in the face of his deceptions...of his lies.  We should seek the truth, love the truth, and walk by the truth.  When we do, we not only experience peace.  We are no longer deceived and no longer under the control of our enemy.  We are set free.

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 NIV)

Truth is powerful.  This is why God affirmed His truth with miraculous signs shown by His prophets.  This is why God protected His truth in Scripture.  This is why God sends us the Spirit of truth to lead us into all truth so we can walk by the truth.  The truth sets us free.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

How about you?  Do you throw away the lies in your mind and heart and replace them with the truth?  Have you been set free?