In Search of Truth

I was pondering the words truth and freedom this morning, and how they relate to one another. I looked up the word "truth" on webster.com: "Sincerity in action, character, and utterance; fact: the body of real things, events, and facts: actuality; transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality; a judgment, proposition or idea that is true; the body of true statements and propositions; the property of being in accord with fact or reality."

Digesting that, I realized how hard it is to be seekers of truth in ALL areas of life. On a personal level, we struggle with admitting our character flaws. Somehow to admit we're wrong or weak freaks us out. It's much easier to sanitize our flaws and transform them into "quirks" or blame others for our reactions. Claiming responsibility for both our actions and reactions requires a strength we often don't possess. It takes courage and humility to own up to our imperfections, and we often don't possess those qualities in enough abundance to withstand the sense of shame encountered in admitting we're flawed.

Another tactic of truth avoidance is to proclaim that there are "many truths", which is actually a load of crap. There are not many truths. Either it's raining outside or it's not, and either God is real or He isn't, and your or my opinion of the matter isn't going to affect that truth in the least.

Truth is no longer fashionable or politically correct; lies are the rage nowadays. Politicians, news reporters, and world-wide leaders, for example, lie without compunction or consequence. It's astounding that we cooperate with the anti-truth campaign and go about our business as if it doesn't concern us that our country functions on lies!

Onto freedom. What does that word really mean? Once again I turned to webster.com: "the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another; independence: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous; ease, facility; the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken; boldness of conception or execution; unrestricted use." Wow! Are we really free? Or are we too afraid of the opinions and potential rejection of others that may result once they know our true selves? Are we terrified they will see us for who we REALLY are and want nothing to do with us? That is not freedom; it is slavery.

Truth and freedom. At what point to we desire these above acceptance and comfort? Psalm 51:6 states, "Surely You desire truth in the inmost parts" (NIV). And then Psalm 119:45-46: "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts. I will speak of Your statues before kings and will not be put to shame."