Truth in action liberates. Truth in action makes you free. Truth in action smashes to dust chains and bondage. Truth in action obliterates strongholds.
John 8:31,32 NKJV
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
This is a familiar verse to many – “the truth will make you free.” The Amplified Classic Bible says “the truth will set you free.” It is important, however, to keep this verse in context. In context, it is those who abide in the word of God, who allow Jesus to disciple them, and who know the truth who find freedom in that truth. It is the truth that you know that sets you free.
Paul’s second letter to Timothy contains a passage that I have pondered a lot in the past few years. It also claims that the truth is liberating.
2 Timothy 2:23-26 NLT
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
Consider verses 25 and 26 from the Amplified Classic Bible.
2 Timothy 2:25, 26 AMPC
25 He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it], 26 And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God’s] will.
I appreciate the fact that the Amplified Classic Bible capitalizes “Truth” as it personifies the Lord Jesus. In the Truth For Today Blog post entitled “Who Is Truth,” John 14:6 was examined. Jesus claimed to be Truth. If you know Jesus, Who is Truth, you know truth. Through Paul, Holy Spirit clarifies how when truth shows up, a person will come to their senses and escape the devil’s captivity. Before truth comes, the devil can control a person. What you do not know can definitely hurt you. It can also hurt those who love you. By ignorance of the truth, you lose your free will. You come under the domination of the devil. But consider this passage from Colossians.
Colossians 1:13 AMPC
[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
The path out of darkness and bondage and into the kingdom of God’s Son is straight through truth. Truth found in the Word of God truly enlightens our steps and reveals the path.
Psalm 119:105 NKJV
Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.
It is not good to be controlled by lies and deception. It is good to be enlightened and know the real truth.
Hosea 4:6a AMPC
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
The answer to lacking knowledge is to get knowledge. The answer to ignorance is to get skillful and godly wisdom (Proverbs 4:5-7). Again, from Paul to Timothy, instruction on how to walk out of deception and lies and into truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 NASB
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
We can have as our goal, accuracy in the scriptures. We can learn, meditate, memorize, ponder, and pray over the Word of Truth. That is literally spending time with Jesus. His presence and counsel cause us to reach a place where we are workman who are approved by God. It doesn’t happen without effort. We are called to be diligent in our approach to truth.
2 Timothy 3: 14-17 NASB
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Few people have had the advantage Timothy had – knowing the sacred writings since childhood. Each of us, however, can start where we are and submerge in Truth. Soak in Truth. Make Truth your number one priority.
When Moses died, God commissioned Joshua to take the nation of Israel into the land of Canaan. It was called “the Promised Land” but it was filled with giants. Joshua was leading people who were going to have to become warriors and they would have to battle to take possession of what God had given them. There are so many parallels to our lives today. I encourage you to think upon Joshua’s assignment and how it compares to your life and circumstances. God gave Joshua two key instructions.
Joshua 1:6-9 NLT
6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The first instruction was to be strong, courageous, unafraid, and undeterred. The second instruction was to study the Book. Joshua was to literally meditate on the Word day and night. This magnificent obsession with the Word of God would cause Joshua to obey everything written in it. The natural outcome would be success and prosperity. When you read the book of Joshua (I highly recommend it), you will see the record of how the nation of Israel, former impoverished slaves, became warriors who inherited the promises of God.
In closing, Jeremiah gives me great encouragement about the power of the Word of God to liberate and bring freedom. This verse is best read in the Amplified Classic version.
Jeremiah 23:29 AMPC
Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?
There is no demonic stronghold or bondage that can withstand the Word of God. Even the most stubborn, resistant lie or sin or problem will be crushed by the Word of God and the Truth.