Series: Defending Your Faith – Thinking
Can We Know the Truth?
When Jesus stood before Pilate, He spoke about truth. Pilate answered with a question many people still ask today: What is truth? (John 18:38). That was not just Pilate’s question. It is the question of our generation too. Many people say truth cannot really be known. Others say truth may work in science or history, but not when it comes to God, right and wrong, or the soul. But the Bible does not speak that way. Scripture shows us that truth is real, truth matters, and truth is found fully in God.
Truth Is Not a Human Invention
Truth is not something we make up. Truth is what is real. If something is true, it matches what actually is. In the same way, the Christian faith is not built on feelings alone or on good ideas we hope are right. Christianity makes real claims about who God is, what He has done in history, who Jesus is, and what God’s plan is for mankind. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). If that is true, then truth is not hiding from us. Truth has come to us in Christ.
A Claim Against Truth Falls Apart
Some people say, “Nobody can know truth.” But that statement does not stand up for very long. Why? Because if it were true, then the speaker would have to know at least one truth—that truth cannot be known. The idea defeats itself. It collapses under its own weight. God is not the author of confusion. His Word is steady and sure. Psalm 119:160 says, The entirety of your word is truth, each of your righteous judgments endures forever.
We Already Know Some Things Are True
The truth is, people prove every day that they believe truth can be known. We know we exist. We know some things are right in front of us. We know that 1 + 1 = 2. We know places exist. We know events in history happened. In daily life, nobody lives as if truth is completely unknowable. In the same way, God has not left Himself without witness. Romans 1:20 tells us that God’s invisible qualities have been clearly seen in what He has made: For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse. The Lord has given us a world that speaks, a conscience that testifies, and a Word that reveals.
God’s Truth Reaches Morality and the Soul
Many people are willing to accept truth in math, science, or history, but they hesitate when the conversation turns to God, sin, righteousness, and eternity. But why should those things be treated as if they do not belong to the world of truth? Either God is real or He is not. Either His Word is true or it is not. Either Christ rose from the dead or He did not. These are not matters beyond all knowing. They are matters that call for honest seeking and humble faith. Jesus said, You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
Stand Firm in the Truth of God
We live in a world that questions truth, bends truth, and sometimes mocks truth. That is why believers must stand firmly on the Word of God. Christianity does not rest on wishful thinking. It stands on the truth of the living God. So, we should not be ashamed to believe, to speak, and to defend what God has said. Even when the conversation feels intellectual, the battle is spiritual. That is why we must demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4b-5). Let us hold fast to the truth, walk in the truth, and point others to Jesus, who is the Truth.
A Closing Appeal
So, I want to close with this simple appeal: do not turn away from the truth of God. If you have been resisting Christ, come to Him today. If you have been uncertain, seek Him in His Word and ask Him to open your heart. If you know Him already, then stand on His truth more firmly than ever. This world cannot save you, but Jesus can. This world cannot cleanse your sin, but Jesus can. This world cannot give lasting peace, but Jesus can. The Bible says, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13). So come to Christ, believe His Word, walk in His truth, and let your life be built on the solid rock that cannot be shaken.
Copyright © 2006–2026 by Miguel J. Gonzalez Th.D.
Dr. Miguel J. Gonzalez is the Founder and President of Reasons for Faith International Ministries. He served as a pastor for ten years in Charlotte, NC and has taught in churches and conferences throughout the United States. He currently hosts the Time in the Word and Truth To Live By podcasts and writes at KnowingChristianity.blogspot.com.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved
