Truth | Paula Wiseman

Q: Why Does the Truth Make You Angry?

If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why do you strike Me? John 18:23

At one point in His interrogation, one of the temple guards slapped Jesus across the mouth for His perceived insolence and disrespect to the High Priest. Jesus responded with this challenge and question. "If I'm wrong, prove it. Show me. Otherwise, why are you lashing out?"

Deep down, we don't like the truth. It's convicting. It's unflinchingly points out where we fall short.

Jesus is the embodiment of Truth. Naturally, He becomes the lightning rod for all our self-protective tactics. He gets the full measure of our defensive anger.

He won't back down. Truth is still Truth.

Filed Under: Questions Tagged With: Gospel of John, Jesus, truth

Q: Did You Get It?

By Paula

Do you know what I have done to you? John 13:12

Jesus had just washed the disciples' feet and He was preparing to give them a lesson on servanthood and humility. But rather than focus on service and the example Jesus set for us, I want to look at some very encouraging truths in this one simple question.

Jesus knows we don't get it.
We often fake and pretend like we understand what God is doing. We don't want to look like the only one who doesn't "get" it, after all. Truth is, we know and understand very little, and then it's usually because God explained it to us. Which brings me to my next point-

Sometimes He explains it all.
In this passage, He walks the disciples through what He did, why He did it, and what they should do now. Awesome!

We are worth teaching.
Jesus Christ, infinite Savior and God of the universe, took His time, used His energy to instill a truth in this group of men. He has deemed us worthy of receiving His amazing truth.

He expects us to put the lesson into practice.
Jesus never wastes His effort. Once He's taught us, and we get it, we need to get busy.

Filed Under: Questions Tagged With: Gospel of John, Jesus, teaching, truth

Study Tip: Nothing But the Truth

By Paula

507091_46504411 Here’s another reason to study Scripture–discernment, the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies.

We are surrounded by misconceptions about who God is and how He operates. Colossians 2:23 warns us that a lot of ideas men put forth seem reasonable, and Paul could understand how we could fall for them. They have “an appearance of wisdom,” he said. But in the first chapter of the letter, and most of chapter 2, his focus is solely on Christ.

That devotion to internalizing truth is critically important to our faith in this culture. God reserves special condemnation for those who would twist His truth. (2 Thes 2:12).

If we are so intimately acquainted with The Truth (John 14:6), we’ll never fall for a half-truth. In John’s letters, nothing thrilled him like knowing his spiritual children were walking in truth.

Just as Jesus Christ is God in human form, the Scriptures are God in written form. The Father’s heart’s desire is for us to know Him (Eph. 2:7).

Don’t take someone else’s word – Take God’s!

That devotion to internalizing truth is critically important to our faith in this culture. God reserves special condemnation for those who would twist His truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:12).

Just as Jesus Christ is God in human form, the Scriptures are God in written form. The Father’s heart’s desire is for us to know Him (Ephesians 2:7).

Don’t take someone else’s word – Take God’s!

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Colossians, John, truth