God’s Word is the Standard of Truth

God’s Word is the Standard of Truth

Main Texts: John 17:17; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; John 8:31–32

Introduction

If you want to know whether something is true, you need a reliable standard by which to measure it.

A carpenter does not determine whether a piece of wood is straight by looking at it casually. He uses a measuring instrument.

Likewise, Christians cannot determine spiritual truth simply by feelings, culture, popularity, or personal preference.

We need an unchanging standard.

That standard is the Word of God.

God’s Word Is Truth

Jesus prayed:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Notice that Jesus did not say God’s Word merely contains truth.

He declared that God’s Word is truth.

This means Scripture provides the foundation by which Christians evaluate:

• Beliefs.
• Values.
• Behavior.
• Priorities.
• Relationships.
• Decisions.
• Feelings Are Not Always
• Reliable

Feelings are real, but they are not always accurate.

You may feel:

“God has abandoned me.”

But Scripture says:

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

You may feel:

“I have no hope.”

But Scripture says:

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? … hope thou in God.”

Our feelings must be brought under the authority of God’s truth.

Culture Is Not the Final Authority

Culture changes.

What society celebrates today may be rejected tomorrow.

Opinions change.

Trends change.

Political environments change.

Technology changes.

But God’s Word remains.

Isaiah 40:8 declares:

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

Therefore, Christians must build their lives upon something more stable than culture.

The Danger of Taking Scripture Out of Context

Discernment also requires understanding Scripture correctly.

A person can quote a Bible verse and still teach something completely contrary to God’s Word.

That is why we must consider:

• The context.
• The surrounding passage.
• The whole counsel of Scripture.
• The original purpose of the teaching.

Not every statement followed by “the Bible says” is biblical.

Biblical Illustration: Jesus and Satan

During Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, Satan himself quoted Scripture.

Yet Jesus recognized that Satan was misusing God’s Word.

Jesus responded with Scripture correctly understood.

This teaches us an important lesson:

Knowing isolated verses is not enough. We must know God’s Word faithfully and understand it correctly.

Application

Before accepting a teaching, ask:

• Does it agree with Scripture?
• Is the verse being used in context?
• Does the teaching point people toward Christ?
• Does it produce holiness and obedience?
• Does the entire Bible support the principle?

Let God’s Word be your measuring standard.

Shalom!