TRUTH

Our Creator is a God of truth (Psalms 19:9, Psalms 31:5, 2 John 4), and He is a spirit who wants us to worship in truth (1 Samuel 12:24, John 4:23-24). This means we are to seek truth in our worship of Him (1 Timothy 2:3-4). We must be careful that we don't just pick and choose what we want to accept as truth, we must only accept that which is real truth. We must keep our senses in this regard (2 Timothy 4:3-5, 1 Peter 5:8-9).

In order to know that we are worshiping in truth, we first need to keep in mind that all mankind is imperfect (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12), thus we have the potential to mislead each other (Matthew 24:11,24, 1 Timothy 4:1). Many probably don't even realize they are being misleading for they have been misled by others themselves (Matthew 15:13-14, 2 Timothy 3:13). This is why the scriptures warn us to never put all our trust in mankind, no matter what their status is (Psalms 118:9, Psalms 146:3, Jeremiah 17:5). Instead, we are to put all our trust in Yahweh and His Word (Psalms 4:5, Psalms 118:8, Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 26:4, Jeremiah 17:7). For us to be sure that what we are taught by others is godly truth, we need to abide by the biblical commands to test all the things we are taught (2 Corinthians 13:5, Ephesians 5:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Even inspired utterances are expected to be tested (1 John 4:1), just to be sure that the inspiration did not come from the wrong source (1 Timothy 4:1). This is because Satan disguises himself and diligently tries to mislead us (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Revelation 12:9). No one should condemn you for testing teachings, for even the Bereoans in the bible did it, and were praised for doing so (Acts 17:10-11).
Now, once you've thoroughly tested a teaching, and perhaps found it to be in error, this could be a problem when you try to explain it to others. This is because 1) It is a difficult thing to change a belief you've held your entire life, and 2) It is a difficult thing to tell others something opposite to what they've believed all their lives. It is easier to fluff it off or hide your head in the sand. However, as is stated at John 4:24 "God is a spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (New International Version ) Another thing to remember is that Jesus did tell us that the road to everlasting life in God's kingdom would be narrow and cramped, and not many will find it (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24). It is much easier on the broad road, though it is the path to death. Which path will you choose?

Why is it so important to support the actual truth rather than just keep the peace by going along with everyone else? Isn't it more important to just be sure we have faith and read the bible and pray? Although those things are important, we must guard ourselves from falsehood too, because if something isn't true, it's a lie and Yahweh hates all lies (Proverbs 6:16-19) for He is not a liar (Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). Remember, God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16), and Love rejoices in truth (1 Corinthians 13:6, 1 John 3:18) and no lie originates with the truth (1 John 2:21). Whereas Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), which is in direct opposition to God's truthfulness. Scripture tells us that adhering to lies will be our death (Psalms 5:6, Proverbs 19:9, Romans 2:8), and that not accepting truth in worship will be fatal to our salvation (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12). This makes sense because it is difficult to have true faith when you are living under lies. It is unacceptable to knowingly speak lies to one another (Zechariah 8:16-17, Ephesians 4:25, Colossians 3:9). This means we won't continue to perpetuate a false teaching once we know the true teaching.

Only those who live by what they know to be true come to the "light" (John 3:20-21). To become one of God's people, we will walk in His ways of truth (Psalms 25:5, Psalms 86:11, 1 John 2:4). Christ said it was truth that would set us free (John 8:31-32). We need to clear away the "fermentation" of falsehoods and hold fast to truth (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). True Christians will renounce the lies and make the truth manifest to everyone. We will declare the truth so as to shed light through the spiritual darkness that Satan cast upon the world (2 Corinthians 4:1-6). The fruitage of the light consists of truth, among other things (Ephesians 5:9). Speaking the truth is how we can grow in Christ (Ephesians 4:15). We are to wear truth as if it were armor (Ephesians 6:14). Our faith in truth will lead us to salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Many will be condemned because they will not want to accept the truth we teach (Psalms 4:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, 2 Timothy 4:3-4), but in spite of that we are to keep our senses and fully accomplish our ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). As stated earlier, we need to realize how difficult it may be for some to shed lifelong beliefs. This is a natural human response, therefore we need to be patient with people in this regard. The best thing we can do is show them all the scriptural support there is and try to help them understand it. However, like the scripture says, many will reject the truth in favor of what they'd rather be hearing. In this case, though this would be a tragedy, you can still take heart that you did your best to teach them according to God's will. In other cases, perhaps someone does listen to you. But then, sometime later, they start becoming misled by someone else. It is our Christian obligation to do our best to turn that one back towards what is really true (James 5:19-20).

Know that living according to true teachings will be a blessing to us (Psalms 40:4), that in spite of the opposition we may receive over it (1 Peter 4:4, 2 Peter 2:2), we will make God's heart glad! (Psalms 147:11).