Topical Bible: Truth: The Evil People are Destitute of

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In the biblical context, truth is a fundamental attribute of God and a cornerstone of His relationship with humanity. It is often juxtaposed with falsehood, deceit, and wickedness, which are characteristics of those who are estranged from God. The Scriptures consistently portray evil people as being devoid of truth, highlighting the moral and spiritual bankruptcy that accompanies a life of sin.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament frequently addresses the absence of truth among the wicked. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist laments the deceitfulness of the wicked, stating, "There is no truth in their mouths; their inmost being is destruction; their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit" (Psalm 5:9). This vivid imagery underscores the destructive nature of a life devoid of truth.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks to this condition, lamenting the pervasive dishonesty among the people of Judah. He declares, "They bend their tongues like their bows; lies and not truth prevail in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me," declares the LORD (Jeremiah 9:3). Here, the absence of truth is directly linked to a lack of knowledge of God, illustrating the spiritual blindness that accompanies wickedness.

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, the theme of truth versus falsehood is further developed, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. Jesus Himself identifies truth as a liberating force, stating, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). Conversely, He characterizes the devil as the father of lies, indicating that those who reject truth align themselves with evil (John 8:44).

The apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently contrasts the life of the believer, who is called to walk in truth, with that of the unbeliever, who is ensnared by deceit. In Romans, Paul describes those who have turned away from God as being filled with "every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity," and notes that "they are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice" (Romans 1:29). This catalog of vices is indicative of a life devoid of truth.

Theological Implications

The absence of truth in the lives of evil people is not merely a moral failing but a theological one. It signifies a rejection of God's nature and His revelation. Truth, in the biblical sense, is not just factual accuracy but is deeply connected to the character of God, who is described as "a God of truth and without iniquity" (Deuteronomy 32:4). Therefore, to be destitute of truth is to be alienated from God Himself.

The Scriptures call believers to a life of truth, urging them to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) and to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). This call to truth is a call to reflect the character of God and to stand in stark contrast to the deceitfulness of the wicked.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of evil people as destitute of truth serves as a sobering reminder of the spiritual consequences of rejecting God. It underscores the importance of truth as a divine attribute and a moral imperative for those who seek to live in accordance with God's will.

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Hosea 4:1
Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel: for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
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Library

A Doomed People
... From them the truth is hidden ... Lord declares, "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself."
"Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 64 a doomed people.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Steadfastness, in a Time when Truth ...
... should eye him in his relations unto his people, as their ... see if the love of his
glory and truth will keep ... of God, will keep from siding with an evil way, when ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xv how to make.htm

All who Walk According to Truth are Children of God.
... in mind, which is the basis of simplicity and truth. ... but the band of infants, the
new people which we are ... wise toward good, but simple towards evil." [1075] For ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter v all who walk according.htm

Scripture the Criterion by which Truth and Heresy are ...
... transgression incur, by falling away from the Lord's people. ... does not punish, for
punishment is retaliation for evil. ... persuade and lead to the truth those who ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi scripture the criterion by.htm

Of the Vanity and Crimes, Impious Superstitions, and of the ...
... were instituted by crafty men, that the people may not ... or envy us because we have
preferred truth to falsehood? ... place in religion, and not that which is evil. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx of the vanity and.htm

God's People Delivered.
... pearly gates, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. ... By their own painful
experience they learned the evil of sin ... "The rebuke of His people shall He ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

God's People Delivered
... pearly gates, and the nations that have kept the truth enter in. ... By their own painful
experience they learned the evil of sin ... "The rebuke of His people shall He ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 40 gods people delivered.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan.
... Satan and evil angels joined with evil men. ... Hatred of the pure principles of truth,
and reproach and ... upon God, so do his agents seek to malign God's people. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /30 enmity between man and.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan
... Satan and evil angels joined with evil men. ... Hatred of the pure principles of truth,
and reproach and ... upon God, so do his agents seek to malign God's people. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 30 enmity between man.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... to witness, that he had set life and death, good and evil, before the people. ... concerning
the power of God in opposition to his truth; and therefore ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm