Walking With God: Episode 4

Episode 4: Truth Under Fire – Testing the World’s Beliefs

Section 1: When Truth Is Labeled a Distraction

Let me take you back to a TED Talk that, honestly, tells you everything you need to know about the cultural moment we’re in.

Katherine Maher—current CEO of NPR and former head of Wikimedia Foundation—stood on stage and calmly told the world that truth is often “a distraction.”

She wasn’t joking. She wasn’t misquoted.

She said that in our post-truth age, insisting on truth can get in the way of “progress” and “unity.” Truth, she argued, is no longer a unifying force—it’s become a wedge issue. So maybe we need less of it.

And the audience applauded.

Now, to be fair, she wrapped it in the usual TED Talk lingo—nuance, social cohesion, “small truths,” and “contextual trust.”

But at the core? It was a direct hit on objective truth.

And as I watched that talk—something clicked.

This wasn’t just a speech. It was a revelation.

We’re not just in a cultural moment of confusion.

We’re in a cultural war against truth itself.

I wrote a blog series in response to that talk—a series that unpacked how we got here and why it matters. It was called “Truth Matters,” and the subtitle could’ve been: “What in the world is happening to reality?”

I called out the dangers of epistemological minimalism—the idea that we only need a “minimum viable truth” to function.

I explored the collapse of coherence when you try to live with 7.8 billion individual truths but no shared foundation.

And I came back again and again to this core conviction:

Truth isn’t a distraction. It’s a lifeline.

But that TED Talk moment? It wasn’t isolated.

It was the fruit of decades of cultural discipleship:

• Postmodernism taught us that truth is constructed.
• Expressive individualism taught us that authenticity matters more than accuracy.
• Digital tribalism taught us that what matters is winning the argument—not whether it’s grounded in reality.

And now, we’re reaping the consequences:

• Truth is politicized.
• Facts are personalized.
• And reality is negotiated based on what feels good or gets clicks.

But here’s what Scripture says:

“Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’” —John 18:37–38 (LSB)

That’s not just a conversation between a Roman governor and a condemned rabbi.

That’s the moment that defines the age we live in.

Pilate asks the question our culture keeps repeating:

“What is truth?”

And Jesus stands silent—not because He has no answer, but because He is the answer.

So in this episode, we’re going to explore:

• What truth actually is (spoiler: it’s not a vibe)
• How different worldviews twist it
• Why Jesus didn’t just teach truth—He embodied it
• And how Christians can stand firm, speak clearly, and love boldly in a world where truth is “offensive”

Truth isn’t a wedge. It’s a cornerstone.

And if we abandon it, we’re not just compromising—we’re collapsing.

Let’s walk through the fire.

Section 2: What Is Truth?

Let’s return to that moment in John 18—Jesus on trial before Pilate.

John 18:37–38 (LSB) “Therefore Pilate said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You yourself said I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’”

Let’s be honest—that’s not a question.

It’s a deflection.

Pilate doesn’t wait for an answer. He walks away.

He stares into the face of Truth Incarnate and turns back to politics.

Why?

Because truth—real truth—demands submission.

And Pilate, like most people, preferred comfort over conviction.

Pilate’s Shrug Is Our Culture’s Default

Our world has traded truth for:

• Convenience – “Don’t complicate things with doctrine.”
• Consensus – “Truth is whatever the group agrees on.”
• Control – “We’ll define what’s true based on what serves our goals.”

And the result?

A fog of relativism where no one knows what’s real—but everyone has an opinion.

That’s why Jesus’ words hit so hard:

“Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Truth isn’t just a set of facts. It’s relational. It’s moral. It’s revealed.

And according to Jesus, it’s the litmus test of spiritual reality.

The Big Idea:  Truth is not a concept we construct. It is a reality revealed by God and embodied in Christ.

You don’t invent truth. You encounter it.

And when you meet Jesus, you meet the foundation of all reality.

He doesn’t say, “I’ll tell you the truth.”

He says, “I am the truth.” (John 14:6)

Truth isn’t just a proposition—it’s a Person.

Exegetical Insight: The Courage of Christ, the Cowardice of Pilate

Let’s not miss the contrast in John 18.

• Jesus stands beaten, bloodied, and alone—yet speaks of truth with unshakable resolve.
• Pilate holds political power—but can’t hold a conviction.

Jesus testifies to truth even though He knows it’ll cost Him everything.

That’s our example.

We don’t speak truth because it’s popular.

We speak it because it’s right.

Truth isn’t measured by cultural applause.

It’s measured by alignment with the Word of God.

Cultural Echoes of Pilate’s Question

Pilate’s question echoes through every university classroom, social media rant, and late-night podcast monologue:

• “What is truth?”
• “Who’s to say?”
• “That’s just your opinion.”
• “Truth is whatever works for you.”

And yet, these aren’t real questions.

They’re escape routes.

Because deep down, we all know the truth exists.

We just don’t want to bow to it.

Romans 1:25 says it clearly:

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…”

Truth isn’t rejected because it’s unprovable.

It’s rejected because it’s uncomfortable.

Application: Truth as a Discipleship Filter

Here’s why this matters for your walk with God:

• When you’re confused—you need truth.
• When you’re tempted—you need truth.
• When you’re called to love others—you need truth.

Because truth doesn’t crush love. It anchors it.

Truth is what holds up marriage vows, courtrooms, counseling, science, and sermons.

It’s not just a theological category—it’s the oxygen of life with God.

So here’s the question:

Are you living like Pilate—shrugging at truth when it gets uncomfortable?

Or are you standing with Jesus—testifying to truth, no matter the cost?

Section 3: What Is Truth?

Let’s not overcomplicate it:

Truth is that which corresponds to reality as defined by God. —Norm Geisler

It’s not subjective.

It’s not flexible.

It’s not custom-tailored to fit your emotional mood board.

Truth is objective reality as God sees it.

A Biblical Theology of Truth

Let’s walk through four key affirmations from Scripture:

1. God is Truth

“He who is blessed in the earth will be blessed by the God of truth…”—Isaiah 65:16

Truth begins in the character of God. He doesn’t just speak truth—He is truth.

He defines reality. He cannot lie. He is the source of all that is, and all that is true.

2. Jesus is the Truth

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” —John 14:6

Jesus doesn’t claim to be a truth—He is the truth.

He is the embodiment of God’s revelation. In Him, we see truth lived out, fulfilled, and offered in grace.

3. The Spirit Guides into Truth

“When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” —John 16:13

Truth isn’t something you intuit in a cave. The Holy Spirit leads believers into the revealed truth of God’s Word and aligns us with the mind of Christ.

4. The Word is Truth

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” —John 17:17

Scripture doesn’t just contain truth—it is truth.

It’s God’s breathed-out, inerrant, objective revelation of reality.

Truth Is…

Let’s distill it. Biblically defined, truth is:

• Objective – It’s true whether you believe it or not.
• Knowable – God has made it clear, not hidden.
• Exclusive – All claims can’t be equally valid.
• Authoritative – It doesn’t ask for your opinion. It defines reality.

Why This Definition Matters

Because without this? You’re left with a buffet of slogans:

• “Live your truth.”
• “Truth is whatever works for you.”
• “As long as you’re sincere…”

But sincerity doesn’t turn a lie into truth.

You can drive east with total confidence and still miss California.

If there is no objective truth:

• Morality becomes preference.
• Justice becomes power.
• Faith becomes fiction.
• And love becomes self-serving.

Truth, rightly defined, is the cornerstone of worldview clarity.

Cultural Error: Epistemological Minimalism

Let’s borrow from the blog for a second:

Our culture has embraced something I call epistemological minimalism—the idea that we only need enough truth to get by, and anything more than that is elitist, oppressive, or inconvenient.

That’s how you end up with headlines that say things like:

“Truth is a distraction.”

“Too much certainty is a red flag.”

“Let people have their own reality.”

We’ve stopped asking, “Is this true?” and started asking, “Is this useful?”

But usefulness without truth is manipulation.

Jesus didn’t die for what’s “useful.”

He died to testify to what’s true.

Theology + Epistemology = Discipleship

Let’s be clear: truth isn’t just a philosophical category.

It’s a discipleship issue.

Because when you believe lies about God, identity, morality, or eternity—it will shape how you live, what you tolerate, and who you trust.

That’s why the Bible is obsessed with truth:

• You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:32)
• Speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
• Put on the belt of truth. (Ephesians 6:14)

Truth isn’t optional.

It’s armor.

So here’s the bottom line:

If truth is subjective, Christianity is a fairy tale.

If truth is negotiable, the cross is unnecessary.

But if truth is real, revealed, and rooted in God—then we don’t just believe it.

We build our lives on it.

Section 4: Truth According to Whom?

Let’s lay it out on the table.

Every worldview claims something about truth—where it comes from, what it means, and whether it matters.

But not every claim passes the test of coherence, consistency, or courage under pressure.

Let’s look at how the four major worldviews define truth—and where they fall apart:

Naturalism – “If you can’t measure it, it isn’t real.”

Truth is reduced to what can be observed, tested, and quantified.

If it doesn’t fit in a test tube or a lab report—it’s “not real.”

Problem is: love can’t be measured.

Justice can’t be dissected.

Dignity can’t be mapped.

Naturalism has no room for beauty, meaning, or soul. It gives you a brain—but no mind. A body—but no purpose.

It claims to be the most rational worldview, but it eliminates half of what makes us human.

Postmodernism – “Truth is personal. Just live your truth.”

This is the air we breathe. Truth is no longer something we discover—it’s something we design.

But here’s the contradiction:

If everyone creates their own truth, what happens when “my truth” violates “yours”? Who wins?

It’s a worldview that says “There are no absolute truths…”—except for that one.

It demands tolerance while canceling anyone who disagrees.

Postmodernism sounds progressive… until someone tells you you’re wrong.

Then suddenly, truth matters again—but only if it serves me.

Pantheism – “Truth is whatever aligns your energy.”

Truth here isn’t discovered—it’s felt. It’s intuitive. Mystical. Internal.

If you’re “in tune,” you’re right. If you’re not “vibrating high,” you’re in darkness.

The issue? There’s no objective test. No outside authority. Just inner experience.

And in the real world, that collapses fast. Try telling a victim of injustice, “That’s just low-frequency energy.” See how that holds up.

Pantheism offers comfort without clarity. Peace without truth.

It’s emotionally satisfying—but intellectually weightless.

Biblical Theism – “Truth is revealed by God and rooted in His character.”

This is the only worldview that treats truth as:

• Real (it exists, even if no one believes it)
• Reliable (it doesn’t change with feelings or trends)
• Revealed (God has spoken)
• Redemptive (it leads you to grace, not just guilt)

Only the biblical worldview gives you truth that can explain love, ground justice, expose sin, and still offer salvation.

Truth is not a hammer—it’s a rescue rope.

And Scripture isn’t just an old book—it’s a lamp in the fog.

Cultural Example: “Live Your Truth” vs. Colliding Realities

Let’s say Person A says, “I am a woman.”

Person B says, “You’re not.”

According to postmodernism, both are right.

According to culture, only one is allowed to speak.

According to Scripture, truth is not a dialogue between feelings—it’s a declaration from the One who created male and female.

The moment two “truths” collide, relativism reveals its lie.

Only one thing can be true. And only God gets to define it.

“You cannot love your neighbor without telling the truth—even when it costs you. — Colson Fellows Insight

That’s where we stand.

Love without truth is just sentiment.

Truth without love is just noise.

But truth with love? That’s what changes lives.

Section 5: Christ-Centered Coherence – Truth Is a Person

We’ve been asking, “What is truth?”

But Scripture answers with “Who is truth?”

John 14:6 – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”

That’s not poetic metaphor. It’s theological precision.

Jesus doesn’t merely speak truth.

He embodies it.

He doesn’t just point to a set of facts.

He fulfills the very reality behind them.

Jesus Is the Truth in Flesh and Blood

In John 1:14, we read: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.”

Jesus didn’t come to tweet moral ideas. He came to embody God’s nature.

To show us what love looks like with spine.

To bring truth that doesn’t compromise—and grace that doesn’t flinch.

He is the Logos—the divine order behind creation.

The cornerstone of clarity in a collapsing world.

If you want to know what is real, start with the One who made everything—including you.

The Fallen Condition: Suppressing the Truth

Romans 1:25 – “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.”

This is our natural condition.

We don’t just doubt truth.

We suppress it.

We twist it.

We trade it in for something easier to manage—something that doesn’t require repentance, obedience, or faith.

That’s why relativism feels so attractive—it lets us be our own authority.

But truth that starts with me can’t save me.

The Redemptive Solution: Truth That Transforms

Romans 12:2 reminds us:

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Jesus doesn’t just reveal truth to us—He renews our minds so we can recognize it, rejoice in it, and walk in it.

He doesn’t just prove the truth intellectually.

He makes it experiential—through redemption, restoration, and relationship.

That’s the difference between information and transformation.

Truth and the Gospel

Let’s walk through the gospel through the lens of truth:

• Creation: God is true. What He made was good. Reality began with divine order.
• Fall: Sin entered the world—and with it, deception. The first lie was, “Did God really say?”
• Redemption: Jesus, the Truth, enters a world of lies to proclaim reality—and purchase freedom.
• Restoration: Truth will reign forever. The liar will be silenced. And the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

Truth isn’t optional. It’s central.

To the gospel. To discipleship. To sanity.

Why This Matters for You

Because when you build your worldview on Christ—the Truth:

• You’re not swayed by the emotions of the moment.
• You’re not silenced by cultural pressure.
• You’re not confused when the world screams contradiction.

You have an anchor.

And that anchor doesn’t just hold. It saves.

So the next time someone says, “What is truth?”—don’t just quote doctrine.

Point to Jesus.

Because in a world of spin, smokescreens, and subjective spirals—only He can bring clarity.

And He doesn’t just give you answers.

He gives you Himself.

Section 6: When Truth Costs Something

So what happens when the fire hits real life?

What happens when standing for truth isn’t just an idea—but a cost?

Because let’s be clear: in today’s culture, truth has a price tag.

And it’s getting more expensive.

The Data Doesn’t Lie—But We’re Trying

According to the Cultural Research Center:

• Only 46% of born-again Christians believe in absolute moral truth.
• Most adults under 40 believe that truth is situational—fluid, personal, and ever-changing.

That’s not just a crisis of knowledge.

That’s a crisis of discipleship.

Because if we don’t know what truth is, how will we live it, teach it, or defend it?

Truth in the Age of Algorithms

Let’s get practical.

Most people aren’t reading theology books—they’re reading tweets, watching reels, and absorbing headlines.

And in that space:

• Outrage wins.
• Feelings dominate.
• Facts are filtered through ideology.

Truth is punished as offensive.

Silence is praised as wisdom.

And clarity is seen as aggression.

This is what happens when a culture trades revelation for relativity.

The Discipleship Fallout

When churches stop teaching truth, they don’t become safe—they become shallow.

• Without truth, worship becomes therapy.
• Without truth, preaching becomes pep talks.
• Without truth, discipleship becomes brand management.

We start shaping messages not by what’s true, but by what won’t offend.

And when suffering comes? When temptation hits? When the culture demands compromise?

Shallow faith sinks fast.

What Truth-Telling Actually Costs

Here’s what truth might cost you:

• A promotion at work because you won’t affirm the company’s new DEI redefinition of gender.
• A relationship because you lovingly refuse to “celebrate” someone’s self-declared identity.
• A platform because you wrote something that was biblical—but not fashionable.

And yet—Jesus never promised comfort.

He promised conflict with the world and peace with God.

“Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth.” —John 17:17

If you’re walking with Christ, expect the same resistance He faced.

But also expect the same grace, strength, and presence.

Cultural Conversations That Require Clarity

Here’s where we can no longer afford to mumble:

• Gender & sexuality – Is truth biological or emotional?
• Abortion – Is personhood defined by God or convenience?
• Justice – Is justice about revenge or righteousness?
• Marriage – Is it a covenant or a contract?

You can’t speak into these areas with slogans or vibes.

You need truth with spine.

Love with conviction.

Gospel clarity in cultural chaos.

From the Colson Fellows: “Truth Is Love’s Backbone”

“You cannot love your neighbor without telling the truth—even when it costs you.”

Love that lies to avoid offense isn’t love.

It’s fear with a mask on.

Biblical truth doesn’t crush people.

It frees them.

It names sin—not to shame, but to heal.

It speaks clarity—not to dominate, but to disciple.

When you love someone enough to tell them the truth about God, sin, and grace—you’re offering more than an opinion.

You’re offering a lifeline.

Everyday Integration

Here’s where it gets real:

In the Home:

• Teach your kids that truth isn’t just “our opinion”—it’s God’s design.
• Model humility—admit when you’re wrong, and show how repentance aligns us with truth.

In the Workplace:

• Don’t fudge the report.
• Don’t go quiet when the meeting demands you affirm a lie.
• Speak wisely—but speak.

In Conversations:

• Ask people what they mean by “truth.”
• Don’t argue—ask. Questions reveal assumptions.

Truth isn’t just something we proclaim from pulpits.

It’s something we live with integrity, speak with courage, and stand on when everything else shakes.

So let me ask you:

Where is God calling you to speak the truth this week?

Where have you been silent—not out of wisdom, but fear?

What half-truths have you tolerated in yourself or others?

Because truth doesn’t just belong in our theology. It belongs in our homes, our hearts, and our hands.

And when we live it out—not perfectly, but faithfully—the world sees something real.

Not just conviction.

But Christ in us.

As Charles Colson like to say:  “We are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful.”

Section 7:  Living Truth in a Culture of Confusion

Let’s bring it home.

We’ve looked Pilate in the eyes.

We’ve heard the TED Talk that called truth a “distraction.”

We’ve seen how worldviews redefine, dilute, and delete truth.

And we’ve remembered that truth isn’t abstract—it’s a person. And His name is Jesus.

So now it’s time to take the next step.

Truth to Remember:  Truth isn’t found inside you—it’s found in Christ and revealed in God’s Word.

If you build your life on feelings, slogans, or cultural trends, you will drift.

But if you build it on the truth revealed in Scripture, you will stand—no matter how loud the world shouts.

Truth isn’t a vibe.

It’s a rock.

Lies to Reject:

1. “Truth is whatever works for you.”
   That sounds empowering—until someone else’s “truth” hurts you.
   When all truths are equal, power—not truth—wins.
2. “Being loving means never correcting anyone.”
   That’s not love. That’s fear.
   Real love tells the truth—even when it costs something.

3 Action Steps This Week:

1. Memorize John 14:6.
   You’ve probably heard it. Now own it. Let that truth anchor your identity and your conversations.
2. Pay attention to how “truth” is talked about.
   Whether it’s a commercial, classroom, or conversation—filter what you hear through Scripture.
   Ask: Is this revealed by God—or manufactured by man?
3. Pray for courage.
   Ask God to help you speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Not to win arguments, but to win hearts.

Verse to Meditate On:

“The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.” —Psalm 119:160 (LSB)

Let that sink in: All of God’s Word is truth.

Not just the parts we like.

Not just the verses that trend.

All of it. Forever.

Journal Prompt:

Where have I believed, tolerated, or softened half-truths in my own thinking?

Where is God calling me to stand up, speak clearly, and trust Him with the outcome?

Write it down. Be honest. Then bring it to the Lord.

Final Word:

Truth matters.

It matters for your heart, your home, your church, and your witness.

And when truth is under fire, the people of God don’t hide.

They shine.

So speak clearly.

Live boldly.

And walk in the truth—not just because it’s right, but because it’s real.

This is Walking with God.

I’m Chris Reighley.

Let’s keep walking—one step at a time.