KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH
is based not only on what you hear but on HOW you hear
John 8:32 – And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Knowledge of TRUTH is what can set you free – of whatever holds you bound. But truth must be accepted when heard. Thus it is important on what you hear and HOW you hear.
Mark 4:23-25 – If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Accepting and receiving truth gives you knowledge that puts you in the KNOW. Knowledge equips you to live and act on the truths received. People live an act on what they know which is what they have learned or have been taught; unfortunately, too many people don’t know TRUTH. They believe a lot of what is error or based on suspicion and not facts. This applies not only to religion, but also to general education, (as in evolution and history), politics, entertainment, news reporting, advertising, etc. This article focuses on Biblical truth that Jesus spoke to set people free.
We need to recognize and accept TRUTH, based on facts, in order to KNOW. The word, “know” used in John 8:32 comes from the Greek word that has a very broad usage meaning: to be aware of; to perceive; to be resolved of; to be sure; to understand.
Verse 32 of John 8, listed above is predicated on verse 31: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Then and only “if” that knowledge of His WORD is maintained and continued in, THEN are you His disciples (disciplined followers), and the resulting knowledge is what sets you, and is able to keep you free. Compare this with what the apostle Paul warned in his second letter to Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Paul forewarned us that people eventually would not hear very well and would thus be turned away from TRUTH, even those within the church. He gave this warning to the early church:
Acts 20:28-31 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Jesus gave the same warning:
Matthew 24:4-5 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:24 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Consider the comparison of spiritual knowledge with carnal knowledge – it’s a difference of Life and Death!
Romans 8:6 – For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Carnal knowledge is based on what natural man comes to know and understand after human efforts. Man’s knowledge can be based on Truth or man’s Traditions – on Facts or Fantasies (superstitions).
Matthew 15:8-10 – This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
1 Corinthians 2:11-14 – For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
It is amazing that people can stare TRUTH in the face and still not recognize it; scripture gives us a perfect example:
John 18:37-38 – Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? (The TRUTH was right in front of him; he was staring TRUTH in the face and could not recognize it.)
What is fact and what is fiction? We need to question and prove what we claim to know and believe. What is the source; how did we come to this knowledge; is this TRUTH? We need to question much of what we believe, do and observe in Christianity – how much is really based on God’s Word and how much is man’s traditions or superstitions. Why is this so important? Because there is significant opposition to TRUTH! It is called DECEPTION! We have an enemy that wants to put us in bondage through lies and deception.
John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 8:43-44 – Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Some people just don’t have the capacity to hear Truth because their interests and concerns are elsewhere – usually on carnal concerns or lusts. Some people are locked into their traditions that they reject any truth that contradicts their traditions (as is common even among Christians). Jesus explains that is the reason he spoke to people in parables – to stimulate the interest of those who are open or seeking. Some will see and hear, others won’t!
Matthew 13:13-16 – Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Satan, the thief, will rob people of truth; for some he will do it as soon as it is heard.
Matthew 13:19 – When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
People who are deceived by the enemy into worshipping idols or committed to false religions are under Satan’s influence to the point that they are blinded to truth and cannot receive it. They cannot be illuminated as they have no desire in their hearts for truth.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 6 – But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
People who are committed to their own self indulgence are actually under the control of the enemy, and their lusts are so strong that they lavish themselves in sensual sinful pleasures and have hardened hearts. They will not accept the truth and repent of their sins.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
What does it take to get people to receive and accept truth and gain spiritual knowledge of life that is available through KNOWLEDGE of JESUS CHRIST? It takes prayers of intercession and requesting the power of the Holy Spirit to reveal and confirm the Word of God that is preached to them.
Mark 16:20 – And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Spiritual truth is revealed by the Spirit of Truth:
John 16:13-14 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
Peter is an excellent example of how this works; the Father revealed truth to him though the Spirit:
Matthew 16:15-17 – He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Romans 10:14-17 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Pray, then go, preach His (Word) Truth, and follow the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit and you will see results! Don’t depend on man’s predetermined methods, formulas or programs; the Spirit of God knows who to go to and what they will respond to.
Mark 4:23-25 – If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
John 8:31-32 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
is based not only on what you hear but on HOW you hear
John 8:32 – And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Knowledge of TRUTH is what can set you free – of whatever holds you bound. But truth must be accepted when heard. Thus it is important on what you hear and HOW you hear.
Mark 4:23-25 – If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Accepting and receiving truth gives you knowledge that puts you in the KNOW. Knowledge equips you to live and act on the truths received. People live an act on what they know which is what they have learned or have been taught; unfortunately, too many people don’t know TRUTH. They believe a lot of what is error or based on suspicion and not facts. This applies not only to religion, but also to general education, (as in evolution and history), politics, entertainment, news reporting, advertising, etc. This article focuses on Biblical truth that Jesus spoke to set people free.
We need to recognize and accept TRUTH, based on facts, in order to KNOW. The word, “know” used in John 8:32 comes from the Greek word that has a very broad usage meaning: to be aware of; to perceive; to be resolved of; to be sure; to understand.
Verse 32 of John 8, listed above is predicated on verse 31: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Then and only “if” that knowledge of His WORD is maintained and continued in, THEN are you His disciples (disciplined followers), and the resulting knowledge is what sets you, and is able to keep you free. Compare this with what the apostle Paul warned in his second letter to Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Paul forewarned us that people eventually would not hear very well and would thus be turned away from TRUTH, even those within the church. He gave this warning to the early church:
Acts 20:28-31 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Jesus gave the same warning:
Matthew 24:4-5 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:24 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Consider the comparison of spiritual knowledge with carnal knowledge – it’s a difference of Life and Death!
Romans 8:6 – For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Carnal knowledge is based on what natural man comes to know and understand after human efforts. Man’s knowledge can be based on Truth or man’s Traditions – on Facts or Fantasies (superstitions).
Matthew 15:8-10 – This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
1 Corinthians 2:11-14 – For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
It is amazing that people can stare TRUTH in the face and still not recognize it; scripture gives us a perfect example:
John 18:37-38 – Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? (The TRUTH was right in front of him; he was staring TRUTH in the face and could not recognize it.)
What is fact and what is fiction? We need to question and prove what we claim to know and believe. What is the source; how did we come to this knowledge; is this TRUTH? We need to question much of what we believe, do and observe in Christianity – how much is really based on God’s Word and how much is man’s traditions or superstitions. Why is this so important? Because there is significant opposition to TRUTH! It is called DECEPTION! We have an enemy that wants to put us in bondage through lies and deception.
John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 8:43-44 – Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Some people just don’t have the capacity to hear Truth because their interests and concerns are elsewhere – usually on carnal concerns or lusts. Some people are locked into their traditions that they reject any truth that contradicts their traditions (as is common even among Christians). Jesus explains that is the reason he spoke to people in parables – to stimulate the interest of those who are open or seeking. Some will see and hear, others won’t!
Matthew 13:13-16 – Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Satan, the thief, will rob people of truth; for some he will do it as soon as it is heard.
Matthew 13:19 – When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
People who are deceived by the enemy into worshipping idols or committed to false religions are under Satan’s influence to the point that they are blinded to truth and cannot receive it. They cannot be illuminated as they have no desire in their hearts for truth.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 6 – But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
People who are committed to their own self indulgence are actually under the control of the enemy, and their lusts are so strong that they lavish themselves in sensual sinful pleasures and have hardened hearts. They will not accept the truth and repent of their sins.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
What does it take to get people to receive and accept truth and gain spiritual knowledge of life that is available through KNOWLEDGE of JESUS CHRIST? It takes prayers of intercession and requesting the power of the Holy Spirit to reveal and confirm the Word of God that is preached to them.
Mark 16:20 – And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Spiritual truth is revealed by the Spirit of Truth:
John 16:13-14 – Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
Peter is an excellent example of how this works; the Father revealed truth to him though the Spirit:
Matthew 16:15-17 – He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Romans 10:14-17 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Pray, then go, preach His (Word) Truth, and follow the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit and you will see results! Don’t depend on man’s predetermined methods, formulas or programs; the Spirit of God knows who to go to and what they will respond to.
Mark 4:23-25 – If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
John 8:31-32 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
