Speak Truth

Zechariah 8

We see in chapter 7 through chapter 8 of Zechariah that God is calling his people to truth. This statement today has lost meaning. What is truth! Even Pilate asked Jesus while he was examining him before the crucifixion asked,  ”What is truth (John 18:37-38)?” God is calling his people to worship him in truth, to be gone with all false idols and to put God in his place. In verse 16 we see that God is telling the people what they should do, speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace. As God was telling the remnant of Israel was not only to know that God will bless them, but that it also requires their obedience to Him.

There are so many people with their idea of what is truth, we need something to base what is true upon. If what is true for me, is not true for you is that truth? No, there are many with this false misconception of truth. If we were to define truth as something that is concrete, based on reality, something that is actual. Truth is based upon trueness that remains true no matter which way you look at it. You need something absolute to base truth on and that is God. God is truth! God and what he has established is absolute and that is concrete.

We see through scripture that the Bible is called the Word of truth (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:18). We are called to share of the things that are true, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). I know sometimes I fall short in sharing truth to a world that wants to ignore what is true and make up their own false truths. We also need to know that this world has its own false truths and it needs to hear the real truth. We need to share it and not be afraid of it.

How to Speak Truth

1) Pray! Ask God to help you to speak truth to others. Ask God to help you understand and be able to communicate who he is with others. Ask God to give you the right words to say.

2) It must be spoken in love. Ephesians 4:15 says, “Rather, speaking truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” The goal should not be winning an argument, it should be revealing Christ.

2) Do not be ashamed of it, it is truth! 2 Timothy 1:7-8 says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and of love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” There is a way where you can speak truth in love and not be ashamed of it. When reading through Acts you see how Paul was bold but still loving in how he presented truth. Remember it is not personal, people reject Christ, so keep going and trust the Lord.