Topical Bible: Truth: Approve Themselves By

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In the Christian faith, truth is not merely an abstract concept but a divine attribute and a standard by which believers are called to live. The Bible emphasizes the importance of truth in the life of a believer, urging them to approve themselves by it in various aspects of their walk with God.

Scriptural Foundation

The call to live by truth is rooted in the character of God Himself, who is described as the "God of truth" (Isaiah 65:16). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), establishing truth as central to the Christian faith. The Holy Spirit is also referred to as the "Spirit of truth" (John 16:13), guiding believers into all truth.

Living by Truth

Believers are exhorted to live by truth in their daily lives, reflecting the character of God. In Ephesians 4:25 , Paul instructs, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." This call to honesty and integrity is foundational to Christian community and witness.

Truth in Ministry

The apostle Paul provides a model for approving oneself by truth in ministry. In 2 Corinthians 6:4-7 , he writes, "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger; in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left." Here, Paul emphasizes that truth is integral to the commendation of one's ministry, alongside other virtues and the power of God.

Truth in Worship

Worship is another area where believers are called to approve themselves by truth. Jesus taught that true worshipers "will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). This indicates that genuine worship is characterized by authenticity and alignment with God's revealed truth.

Truth in Relationships

Truth is also essential in relationships among believers. In Colossians 3:9-10 , Paul admonishes, "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." The transformation brought about by faith in Christ involves a commitment to truthfulness in all interactions.

Truth as a Defense

The armor of God, described in Ephesians 6:14 , includes the "belt of truth," signifying its role as a defense against the schemes of the devil. Truth is foundational to the believer's spiritual armor, enabling them to stand firm in the face of deception and spiritual warfare.

Conclusion

The call to approve oneself by truth is a comprehensive mandate that encompasses every aspect of a believer's life. From personal integrity to communal relationships, from ministry to worship, truth is the standard by which Christians are to measure their lives, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 6:7,8
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

In Investigating the Truth the Philosophers have Broken through ...
... falsehood for truth, nor hide the truth in darkness ... to worship a wooden thing, which
men themselves have made ... geometry and astronomy (which they approve of), to ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxvi in investigating the.htm

Of the Variety of Philosophers, and their Truth.
... things which are false, or choose and approve of those ... things by divine testimonies,
yet the truth would explain ... of any sect, and have devoted themselves to it ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vii of the variety of.htm

To Domnus, Bishop of Antioch.
... Nestorius; nor were they indeed so worded throughout as to approve themselves to
all ... Nestorians, felt that in the attack on Nestorianism the truth of Christ's ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxii to domnus bishop of.htm

Be Ye Doers of the Word, not Hearers Only, Deceiving Your Own ...
... and government of God, and would approve and admire every truth in the Bible, if
they could view it abstractedly, and without any relation to themselves. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye doers of the.htm

Though These Eternal Moral Obligations are Indeed of Themselves ...
... rules, which are thus of themselves really obligatory ... and goodness, his justice,
righteousness, and truth; these things ... him; nay, we cannot approve ourselves to ...
/.../ii proposition ii though these.htm

Description of the Perfect Man, or Gnostic.
... same apostle, must "give no offence in anything, but in everything approve themselves
not to ... in the Holy Ghost, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi description of the perfect.htm

There is one Knowledge of the Thing in the Thing Itself, and ...
... unchangeable above our mind, when we approve or reject ... according to that [form of
eternal truth], and discern ... But those things themselves we either touch if ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 there is one knowledge.htm

The Praise of Men.
... leads to jealousy and hatred; did it prefer goodness and truth to gifts ... occasions
arise, when practices countenanced by others do not approve themselves to our ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon iv the praise of.htm

Against Men who Embellish Themselves.
... And, in truth, unless you saw them naked, you would ... wear their hair long, but do
not deck themselves. ... But I approve the simplicity of the barbarians: loving an ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii against men who embellish.htm

Of the Use of Reason in Religion; and of Dreams, Auguries, Oracles ...
... Wherefore, since wisdom"that is, the inquiry after truth"is natural to all, they
deprive themselves of wisdom, who without any judgment approve of the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap viii of the use of.htm