Speaking God’s Truth!

I am so glad you have chosen to join us for this teaching on “Speaking God’s Truth” today. I believe this is a God appointed teaching for us to be encouraged to keep on sharing the Truth of God’s Word to a lost and dying world.. Go boldly and continue to speak. Eric

In the world today, truth is being challenged by those who want to cast off the truths of God's Word or are deceived and confused by the enemy of God, satan. Due to advancements in our technology, we are witnessing a lot more of the debates, criticisms, confrontations and challenges between believers and those who are not. Sadly, we even see those who 'claim' to be Christians jumping into the fray of these debates and participating in worldly activities that do not bring honor to God.

"Most U.S. adults contend that truth is up to each individual to determine; there are no objective moral truths that apply to everyone, all the time. Two out of three American adults, 66% currently reject or doubt the existence of absolute moral truth. The most pro-truth change in the last five years was witnessed among theologically - identified born again Christians, whose truth rejection numbers plummeted from 57% in 2020 to just under half (49%) in 2025. The most popular source of truth input remains personal feelings. Approximately 3/4 of all Americans (74%) at least occasionally rely upon their emotions to discern moral truth. Feelings emerged as the sole truth source trusted by a large majority of adults." (Survey Reveals Significant Shifts in Faith Allegiance and Growing Confusion about Moral Truth, May 2, 2025 George Barna). (georgebarna.com). These statistics cause me concern for the large increase we already see in those who have been deceived by the lies of the enemy and those who follow him.

The most alarming realization concerning these statistics is that the 'church' (body of believers) appears to be losing in regard to our fulfilling the Great Commission to take the life saving gospel to the nations.

When you stand for God's truth, His Word, you will be challenged to defend what you believe. In order to defend Truth, you must know the Word of God, for it is Truth. Also, you will need the guidance and wisdom of God, through the Holy Spirit, to defend your faith. Whether in a court of law, a workplace, school or among friends, we need to be prepared to answer those who ask for a reason for our belief or faith.

Recently, I have seen a lot of media coverage about a couple of young men who have been in situations where they have had to defend their faith. That was the impetus for our blog topic today. As I listened to these young men defend their faith, I realized anew that we all need not only to be able to defend our faith but to share it with everyone we can.

It is vitally important though, that we realize, in order for us to be heard and our words to be received, we need to follow our best example of defending and sharing the Truth, which will lead others to Life! Our greatest example of speaking Truth is Jesus. He amazed His listeners with the way He delivered His teaching of Truth with great authority and compassion.

1 Peter 3:15 (BSB) instructs us, "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect." To 'sanctify' Christ as Lord in our hearts is to "declare or acknowledge the Lordship of Christ over our life. We set Him apart as holy, sovereign and having divine authority and make a personal commitment to live under His authority." (Bible Hub Study Bible). 'Always' be 'prepared' (ready by speech or action) to give a 'defense' (apologia, in the Greek), meaning: a reasoned explanation by being knowledgeable about your faith and able to tell anyone why you believe what you believe. The 'hope' we have, through Christ is our confident expectation of salvation and eternal life. Realize this though, to be ready is not just intellectual preparedness, but is also spiritual because we should rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance in regard to what we should say. (Luke 12:12). Remember, even if and when you find yourself in a position to have to defend your faith against those who might strongly oppose you, respond with gentleness and respect.

Colossians 4:6 (ESV) reads, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." 'Gracious' means your words should reflect and demonstrate the Lord's divine influence upon your heart and in your life. (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). "Grace received must become grace extended." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). 'Salt' halas figuratively conveys prudence exhibiting wisdom and grace in speech. 'Salt' (wisdom and grace) preserves truth from corruption!

You see, if you respond to the 'world' with the same kind of speech (anger, hatred, crassness or judgmentalism) they use - you are not being one who shows the character of Christ - you are talking like the world and likely, what you express will be rejected. Gentle words diffuse anger. (Proverbs 15:1). Christ spoke with authority yet with compassion and understanding. (Luke 4:22).

Matthew 7:28 and 29 gives us an awe inspiring revelation about the authority Jesus spoke with. Verse 28 reads that "the crowds were astonished at His teaching" and then verse 29 reveals why they were "struck with astonishment and amazement" - "He was teaching them as one who had authority." The Greek word translated 'authority' is exousia meaning: authority, power and jurisdiction. HELPS Word-studies expounds on the meaning and states that this 'authority' is conferred power and delegated empowerment, given by the Holy Spirit. Believers! This is the same authority the Holy Spirit imparts to His saints! It is delegated authority which authorizes us to act to the extent we are guided by His revealed Word! This authority (exousia), if we are bold enough to use it as the Spirit leads, and His power is what enables us to lay hands on the sick so they are healed or minister deliverance to set the captives free! (Luke 9:1). We have been given His power and the delegated authority to use it for His glory.

In Mark 6:2, we once again read of Jesus teaching the Word of God in the synagogue and the people were astonished by His wisdom and asked, "How are such mighty works done by His hands?" Jesus, as the Son of man, used the power of God and His delegated authority for ministry.

Please 'hear' this, the message of the gospel, as presented by Jesus, was not self-derived but divinely ordained. In John 12:44 (BSB), "Jesus cried out and said, 'whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me.' Then He continues in verse 49 by saying, ' I have not spoken on my own (authority) but the Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it." Jesus' teachings came directly from the Father. His teachings are the ultimate revelation of God's Truth! The Word of God provides all the tools we need for our own spiritual growth and effective ministry or for 'every good work.' (Ephesians 2:10).

We must share the Truth to the world today to everyone we meet and especially to those who oppose us, causing us to defend our faith.

Let's look at Luke 24:19-35. I will give you an overview of these verses. After Christ's resurrection, He appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus. These men did not recognize Jesus, however, they traveled together for a time, during which they expressed to Him what had happened in Jerusalem concerning His death. They also told Him that they had hoped that Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel. They also indicated they didn't know what to think about the women finding the tomb empty that morning. At that point, Jesus started with Moses and all the prophets and explained all the Scriptures about Himself to them. As they arrived at Emmaus, the men asked Jesus to stay with them. He went in with them and when he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. (verse30). Verse 31 reveals, "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him and he disappeared from their sight." These men were given a moment of divine revelation or spiritual enlightenment, by God. They were so excited they returned to Jerusalem, found the disciples and shared what had happened on the road to Emmaus.

After they arrived in Jerusalem and shared with the disciples, Jesus appeared and explained to his disciples that it was necessary for Him to die and rise on the 3rd day. He admonished that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name. Then, Jesus again gave them an important command - "Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power on high." (verse 49).

Through the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the "believers are equipped for ministry and witness. "'Clothed with power' is a metaphorical expression indicating being endowed or equipped with divine strength and authority." (Bible Hub Study Bible).

"All who believe are to ask and expect God to fill them with His Spirit and to be empowered for their mission to serve Him! It is this supernatural power that Jesus uses to fulfill His mission to the world through the church." (Bible Hub Study Bible).

God has given us His Spirit to reveal truth. John 16:13a reveals, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth." Jesus was never left without the right words to speak in every situation and challenge. We too can face those who need to hear the truth in love, just as Jesus did. Teach your heart to hear and obey by filling it with the Truth, His Word.

Believers, we have been given the same mission as the disciples of the early church. The truths we need to share with those we encounter should be the same ones Jesus shared with His disciples in that room: He came to die (because He loves us); rose again on the 3rd day (because death could not keep him) and the need for repentance and and remission of sin should be shared in His name.

Amazingly, God has caused His Truth to be preserved for thousands of years! We have His truth, His Word! We have been given forgiveness and the gift of eternal life by the sacrifice and blood of Jesus! We have the same Holy Spirit Who endues us with power and reveals Truth to us! (John 16:13). We have received the same delegated exousia authority! We can choose to sanctify Christ as Lord of our lives! We have been given the potential of moving in the power of the Holy Spirit! All we have to do, is ask for it! (Luke 11:13). We, by the power of the Holy Spirit can live under His authoritiy and always be prepared to give a defense about why we chose to believe, receive the love and grace of God, and receive the gift of eternal life! We have the privilege of letting others know they can do the same!

One of the greatest testimonies we can share with others is having them see how the presence of God in our lives enables us to endure hardship, attacks and adversity without allowing those things to control or destroy us!

Let's be willing and eager to spread the Word of God (Truth) and present the opportunity for the Holy Spirit to 'open' someone's eyes to the Truth of God's Word, His love and blessings! [And escape the deception of the evil one and an eternity separated from the presence and love of God!]

Let's be those, who by speaking God's Truth, fulfill the Great Commission in our part of the world!

Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture is taken from the English Standard Version.

BSB Berean Standard Bible