One of the most important questions in human history is found in John 18:38, “Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’” As Jesus stood before Pilate and faced crucifixion, He told Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth. To which Pilate replied with this question. Before it was answered, Pilate turned to the crowd and said that he found no reason for Jesus to be crucified. However, the crowd insisted, and we know the rest of the story.

Pilate’s question is fascinating because it’s the question everyone must ask in life. What is truth? Your answer will define your life. The world defines truth as something you create for yourself. So you’ll hear people say things like: “That’s my truth” or “Speak your truth.” But truth isn’t a possession. Truth is a reality. It’s not something that we can change to satisfy our desires. We call that a lie. A Google search will define truth as something factual, real, and constant. Truth can’t be proven wrong because it’s factual. It’s not a myth or legend, and it doesn’t change. The truth is the truth.

So, what is truth? Jesus said earlier in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” This is one of eight “I am” statements that Jesus made to declare His deity. Jesus, being God in human flesh, said that He is the truth. So the answer to Pilate’s question was right in front of him. What is truth? God is truth. This means that God is who He says He is. He is factual, real, and constant. Everything He is and does is true. This also means that God is the Source of all truth. How do we know 2+2=4? Because God said so. He is the Author of truth. In John 17:3, Jesus refers to the Father as “the only true God.” Man is good at making false gods. But only One God is true!

Because God is truth, He cannot lie. Titus 1:2 says that God never lies. Hebrews 6:18 says that it is impossible for God to lie. He cannot contradict His perfect character by lying or breaking a promise. Because God’s nature is completely true, He will not change. He cannot improve or diminish. Everything He says and does is totally true without any error. He doesn’t deceive, alter the story, or make promises that He can’t keep. God’s nature is genuine.

This attribute also means that God’s revelation is true (Jn. 17:17). Everything He says in His Word is accurate and true. Psalm 119:160 says, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Because His Word is truth, it will never pass away (1 Pet. 1:24-25; Matt. 5:18). Seasons come and go. Plants, animals, and people grow, wither, and die. The world is in constant change. But God’s Word never fades or dies because it is true. Therefore, His Word will never fail (Isa. 55:11). Every promise will be kept. Every prophecy will be fulfilled. God’s Word is true.

This attribute of God leaves us with no reason to doubt. If God is truth, then why would we fear? Don’t be misled by the world’s definition of truth. Because God is truth, He is worthy of our commitment, trust, and obedience. He will never lie to us. He will never deceive us. We must remember this attribute of God when we read His Word. Every verse is true. So the promise of forgiveness is true. The promise that God will never forsake us is true. The promise of eternal life in heaven is true. The promise of a glorious inheritance is true. The promise of being with God forever is true. God will deliver on all of His promises because He is true.