Everyone can see truth, it is clear and visible to all, the fact lies in that not all have decided to accept the truth.
There is no opportunity to use the statement “believe the truth,” all truth is believable after it is verified, it is the response of the person that will indicate whether they have or have not accepted what is indeed truth. Truth is not relative to anything else, it is not dependent on the majority’s idea of it, it is and is unchangeable. Pride is usually the main factor of what causes individuals to not accept truth, it was the first sin and continues to be the reason for the denial of truth.
Satan knew that his thoughts and intents were against the will of the Most High, he knew the truth of his statements recorded for us in Isaiah 14:14, but pride, the self that rebels against God, is a force beyond any other power in the heart of man, it blinds perfectly, it enables within us the ability to exert our own will above the will of God, and it comes from the gift of free will. It is, in part, what enabled our adversary to become the father of lies, (John 8:44) but that does not make what he speaks truth any more than any other lie, they are simply believable.
We are either self-deceived, deceived by Satan, or for His own reasons and glory, not shown the truth from the Lord for a period of time. “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” (2 Thess. 2:7) And that is the perfect way to phrase it, for those who are seeking truth are continuously seeking it, and will, in some areas, for the entirety of their lives. Many will quote here John 14:6 and say that once we have found Christ, we have found truth, which indeed is true, but the previous statement is also true, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12)
This is where I fear too many who know the Lord as Savior may not begin to fall, but may falter in their growth, for Jesus is truth, wisdom is Jesus, and “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” (Eccl. 1:18) As it should be, if you desire to be Christlike, for our Savior was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3)
The search for truth is the search for righteousness, and “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6) But the journey is indeed well beyond the word frustrating. How easily the truth is understood once we are shown it, how difficult it can be to accept it, thus the fall of Lucifer, and the fall of most of mankind. With free will comes the ability to deny truth, even when it is known to us, it is the reason that few will find that narrow path, (Matt. 7:14) they can see it, but they turn from it, and just because of the trials and tribulations that await upon it, not just because they desire an easier way, but because their pride blinds them only when the truth is known.
“Thy will be done” is the way to accept truth, submission to the Holy Spirit is how we realize truth, and the knowledge that God alone is Sovereign is how we come to the understanding that all truth comes from Him. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jer. 29:11)
Man has always been excellent in his ability to modify truth, and has learned well that the perception of it will be accepted by most individuals, lies that are so close to the truth as to be almost imperceptible to the average human, lies that if there were no real, undeniable truth would be seen as truth indeed. One need only to look at the enormous amount of religious organizations, those in our day that are attempting to persuade the masses of their need for masters over their lives, and the amount of people that are acquiescing their own free will to these lies.
You must want truth, you must seek for it with all your being, for in seeking for truth you are seeking for Christ, but do not expect happiness, for truth to be seen, the lies that stand against it must be revealed, and as these things are shown to you by the Lord, you will see your great need for Him. Happiness may flee from you, but your joy will become much greater.
