The Danger With “Your Truth”

Die to “Your Truth”; Live by The Truth

Scripture References

Primary text

• John 18:37
• John 14:6
• 2 Timothy 4

Other references

• Proverbs 14:12
• Jeremiah 17:9
• John 10

Overview

Pastor Craig opened a new series, “Almost True,” by exposing the danger of treating personal perspective as absolute truth. Using Jesus’ exchange with Pilate, he showed that truth is not an idea we customise but a Person we follow. Because Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life,” any belief that clashes with His word must die so that we can walk in genuine freedom.

Context

The message followed a global baptism celebration that highlighted changed lives across Life.Church locations. Against that backdrop of new beginnings, the sermon pressed listeners to build their faith on unchanging truth rather than culture-shaped opinions.

Main Points

What is truth?

• Working definition: truth is absolute, constant, and applies to everyone everywhere all the time.
• Culture often confuses truth with perspective, making it seem fluid (“your truth / my truth”).
• Illustration: Two-truths-and-a-lie icebreaker (magic show at 12, unplanned children, M&Ms) sets up the question, “What is really true?”

The slippery slope of “my truth”

• If truth is relative:
  • No absolute moral standard exists.
  • Right and wrong are subjective.
  • Each person becomes his or her own source of authority.
• Proverbs 14:12 warns that a path that “seems right” can end in death.

Two truths about truth

1. Just because you believe something doesn’t make it true.
   • Flat-earth history, “I feel like I’m a pilot,” and road-rage impulses prove feelings can deceive.
2. Truth isn’t merely something you believe; truth is Someone you follow.
   • Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
   • People like Jesus’ love but resist His exclusivity—yet real love tells the whole truth.

Scripture’s charge regarding counterfeit teaching

• 2 Timothy 4: preach the word; people will gather teachers who say what “itching ears” want to hear and will “reject the truth and chase after myths.”
• Modern example: preferring messages that affirm desires (sexual ethics, unforgiveness, gossip, etc.) over those that call for repentance.

The heart cannot be your compass

• Jeremiah 17:9—“the heart is deceitful.”
• Following feelings alone leads to bondage; following Christ’s word leads to freedom (John 8 allusion).

Pilate, Barabbas, and the crowd

Scene re-visited

• Pilate finds no fault in Jesus but offers the crowd a choice: Jesus (Truth) or Barabbas (liar, thief, murderer).
• The crowd chooses Barabbas—echoing how culture often prefers a comforting lie to confronting truth.
• Parallel: Satan is the thief and father of lies (John 10).

Central application

If Jesus’ truth differs from your truth, die to your truth and live according to His.

• “Dying” = crucifying sinful desires, perspectives, and rationalisations that conflict with Scripture.
• This applies to anger, sexual behaviour, substance abuse, gossip, greed, pride—anything the word calls sin.

Key Truths

• Truth is fixed; perspective is variable.
• Feelings can validate an experience but cannot determine ultimate reality.
• Relativism makes self the final authority and slides toward moral chaos.
• Jesus embodies truth; following Him requires submission, not selective agreement.
• Real freedom is found only on the far side of repentance and obedience.

Response

• Examine beliefs and habits against Scripture this week.
• Confess any area where you are justifying behaviour the Bible forbids.
• Replace “my truth” language with deliberate pursuit of Christ’s teaching.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to convict and empower you to live what you already know is true.
• Speak truth in love to others without diluting or weaponising it.

Closing

Pastor Craig urged every believer to pray for conviction wherever personal desires override God’s standards. Many responded, publicly surrendering to Christ and renouncing “almost true” thinking.

“If what I call my truth is different from the truth, I die to my truth and live to His.”

Prayer

The congregation prayed collectively, asking God to reveal deception, forgive sin, and fill them with the Spirit so they could “honour You in all we do.”