I Have No Greater Joy

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:4

Following the Truth

I woke this morning and read this scripture. And immediately thought “THIS is what makes me most grateful.” That all my children are following the Truth.

In a world where truth is whatever you think it is, I thank God that somehow Michael and I have managed to lead our children to The Truth and they have chosen to follow it. It is only by the grace of God and prayer.

What is Truth? 

Our world has confused it with so many things. We are told that we should accept what anyone says as their own truth and leave it at that. Truth is defined in the dictionary as …

1. that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.
2. a fact or belief that is accepted as true.

These definitions leave much room for interpretation. They don’t really give us something to rely on. These definitions don’t give us a basis that is dependable. Something that can help us discern what we hear as acceptable or deceiving.

How can we be sure that we are following the Truth?

The simple answer is if it follows God’s Word, then it is Truth.  My mind goes first to what Jesus says…

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

He prayed for His disciples (and us)

“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.“

John 14:6; John 17:17

Our world tells us that there are many ways to find God. But the Word of God himself says there is only one way to God and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate test for finding Truth.

Be Prepared

We must be prepared for any deception that would tell us otherwise. In the same book of 2 John, we are warned to watch out for false teachers and our world is full of them coming at us from every direction as wolves in sheep’s clothing. We must always be wearing the armor of God as protection against the deceiver.

In the dark world, we need Light!

We cannot trust our feelings, or our intelligence or our gut to lead us to Truth. We need the truth of God’s Word which is the Light! I recently heard Priscilla Shirer preaching about the Belt of Truth. She is right on target to say that we must cover our “gut’ with The Belt of Truth.

“I’m not suggesting that feelings, intelligence, and instinct can never help you in making life decisions. I’m simply saying that ultimately nothing should be trusted to govern your life like an unchangeable standard.

Again, reason enough why we always need the ever-bright spotlight of God’s truth-guiding, directing, regulating everything that comes our way. Our job as belt-of-truth-wearing believers is to recalibrate our feelings, instinct, conscience, and experience to line up with it.”

Excerpted from The Armor of God.

How do we put on the Belt of Truth?

By being saturated in His Word. Here are some scriptures that confirm this.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

Your word is a lamp for my feet,a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 

 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

 

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9 

 

So What is Truth?

I submit to you that the way to find Truth is not only by reading The Word but by obeying it and living according to it regardless of what the world is telling you.

Find Truth by reading and obeying His Word and teach your children this as well. Then you may be fortunate to say along with me,

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth

Mandy

What Brings You “No Greater Joy” This Year?

Share in the comments. We would love to hear from you.

Other posts about Truth

Debunking the Lies that Confuse the Truth

What’s the Big Deal about Lying?

Mandy Farmer

Pastor’s Wife (retired) &  Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.

www.mandyandmichele.com