Is Truth Relative or Absolute?

Is there really such a thing as absolute truth? Something that's true for all people in every nation and in every time period of history. For many people today, truth is relative, not absolute. They talk about your truth and my truth. They believe what's true for you may not necessarily be true for me and what's true for me may not necessarily be true for you. Do you share in this belief? More and more people today decide and make choices based on feelings rather than an objective standard of truth. But is truth relative or subjective? Is it just a matter of personal opinion, taste, or preference? In this episode, we will tackle this question head-on and share seven biblical facts about truth. Let's discuss. We are now living in a post-truth world. That means objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. In recent surveys conducted by the Barna Group, an increasing number of Americans said moral truth depends on the situation rather than an objective standard like the Bible. Truth is now regarded as something felt rather than something known. Truth is increasingly seen as relative, not absolute. Many people today believe that no religious text has a monopoly on truth but that all faith traditions are just different expressions of the same spiritual message. As a result, many have begun to identify as people who love Jesus but not the church or as spiritual but not religious. They seek faith but outside of organized religion or any local church. But is it really true that there is no such thing as absolute truth? Is it true that all truth is relative? Logically, we know that this statement does not make sense. Because anyone who makes the claim that all truth is relative is making an absolute statement about truth, namely that all truth is relative. Therefore, their argument is self-defeating. This proves that truth is absolute. We also know that there are truths that are obvious and self-evident. For example, 2 plus 2 equals 4. It doesn't matter who you are, what language you speak, what culture you grew up in, or what time in history you lived, 2 plus 2 has always been 4 and will always be 4. The same goes for the law of gravity and other laws of physics. It doesn't matter if you believe gravity or not. It does not care about your feelings, your politics, or your religion. If you jump from a very tall building, you will get killed. Gravity does not care who you are or what you believe. Now, just as there are laws of mathematics and physics, there are also laws that govern spiritual realities. Of the thousands of religious beliefs out there, how can you tell which of any is true? Have you ever been lost in a forest with a group of friends? Have you ever tried determining where north is via consensus? No matter how passionate or how convicted you are, you cannot change where true north is because truth is not relative. It is absolute. True north won't bow down to your feelings or opinions. You will remain lost unless you use a compass. In the same way, you will remain lost spiritually unless you make use of our only spiritual compass. Here now are the seven biblical facts about truth. Number one. The number one problem in this world is confusion and universal deception. In Revelation chapter 12 verse 9, we read, So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the devil and Satan who deceives the whole world. He was cast to the earth and his angels were cast out with him. 1 John chapter 5 verse 19. We know that we are of God and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. People often lie. I'm not just talking about politicians and some medical experts that run our global health agencies. We can't even fully trust the media. The official narrative is not always even true. The truth is often suppressed and even censored under the label conspiracy theory. It's sad that even some of our trusted authority figures lie. People lie or stretch the truth to sell products or services. Even religious leaders can't be fully trusted to preach the full truth either out of ignorance, fear of displeasing their church board or offending their financial supporters. Number two. Physical and empirical truth can be discovered but spiritual and moral truth must be revealed. The French existential philosopher, novelist, playwright and critic Jean-Paul Sartre once said, everything has been figured out except how to live. We have all the tools of science including the scientific method to discover truths about the physical world that we live in but the tools of science and even philosophy can only go so far. They cannot answer the biggest questions of life such as what is the purpose and meaning of life? Where did we come from? Where are we going? What is a human being? These truths must be revealed. Number three. The God of the Bible is a God of truth and His word is truth. Notice these four verses. Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 4. He is the rock. His work is perfect for all His ways are justice. A God of truth and without injustice. Righteous and upright is He. Titus chapter 1 verse 2. God cannot lie. Hebrews chapter 6 verse 18. It is impossible for God to lie. So if there's a conflict between what man says and what God says, we know who to believe. Romans chapter 3 verse 4. Indeed let God be true but every man a liar. Number four. Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ is the Word of God in person. Our Lord and Savior is the truth and is the fullest embodiment of living the truth. He was the only one who lived a perfectly sinless life following God perfectly. Notice these verses in John chapter 1 verse 14. And the Word, that's Christ, became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory. The glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. In John chapter 14 verse 6. Jesus said to him, I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Christ did not say, I am one of the ways, I am one of the truths. He is the way, He is the truth. He was being very exclusive here in His statements. He said no one comes to the Father except through Him. He didn't teach that there are, quote, many roads that lead to heaven. And lest one think that Christ wasn't really serious, check out the words of the Apostle Peter in Acts chapter 4 verse 12. The Bible as originally inspired and written is God's Word in print. The Bible is the written expression of God's absolute truth. In the Bible, we find spiritual and moral truths that we cannot discover. These are truths that have been revealed to us by God. Notice these verses in John 17 verse 17. In Psalm 119 verse 151, we read, In 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 to 17, we read, In 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 20 to 21, In 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 13, we read, In John chapter 10 verse 35, we read, The Bible never contradicts itself. It teaches us the truth, both what to believe and how to live. Let's look at John chapter 8 verse 44, we read, He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. In Romans chapter 1 verse 25, we read, In Romans chapter 1 verse 28, 1 John chapter 2 verse 4, He who says, I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. Number seven, final point. God wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth. In 1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 4, we read, God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 7, Learning is good. Education is great. But if it doesn't bring us closer to the truth, it's pointless. In conclusion, truth is absolute, not relative. Truth is that which corresponds to reality, an ultimate reality, which is God. We live in a world of universal deception instigated by God's enemy, Satan the devil. While we can discover physical truths, spiritual truths must be revealed. May we all have the courage to seek the truth from God's word, the Bible, his spiritual compass that unfailingly points to true north. Let me end with a quote from Cecile B. DeMille, producer of the classic movie, The Ten Commandments. It is impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves against the law. May God bless you as you seek him. If you found this teaching helpful, please share this also with your family and friends. So until next time, this is Daniel MacRae of BiblicalTruths.tv, reminding you to always be growing, to always be giving, and to always be grateful.