During His trial, Jesus was asked by Pilate, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NKJV)

It seems that in today's world, the subject of truth is a rather slippery one. Many prefer to live in a world of relativism where there are no absolutes. Unfortunately, this mindset from the world system has entered the church. Often during a discussion of Scripture, we hear Christian people making the comment, "That's your interpretation."

Jesus tells us that God's Word is truth (John 17:17). In all my studies, I have never read in Scripture that there is any indication that God's truth is flexible. If God's Word is subject to our interpretation, God would be unjust to expect us to know what His Word actually says. Whose interpretation would be right, and how would anyone know God's will for our lives?

May I suggest a couple of reasons why there are differences of interpretation regarding the truth of God's Word? The first reason would be unfamiliarity with Scripture. God's Word doesn't tell us a truth in one place and contradict it elsewhere. All Christians need to be students of God's Word. Scripture is its own best interpreter.

Hebrews 5:12a – For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God. (NKJV)

A second reason is that some desperately want Scripture to approve of their sin, so they deliberately twist the truth of God's Word to make it support them. Romans 1:25 says that they "exchanged the truth of God for the lie." (NKJV)

2 Timothy 4:3-4 – The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires … they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (NKJV)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV)

How should we deal with these people?

2 Timothy 2:24-26 – And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (NKJV)

Whenever we are confronted with this issue or feel led to confront someone else, we should always keep in mind what Proverbs 16:18 tells us regarding pride leading to a fall. We should always act in the spirit of love and grace, in all humility, which is evidence of a true Christian spirit, never in the spirit of pride or arrogance, which would indicate a wrong motive in our own heart.

1 Corinthians 10:12 – Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (NKJV)

Prayer: Father, we humbly bow before You in recognition of our own shortcomings and sins. We ask for Your forgiveness, and we ask that we would always deal with those who mishandle Your Word in the spirit of love and humility, realizing that we are nothing in and of ourselves and that everything that we have and are is a gift from Your love and grace toward us. In the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

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