By Wilson Love
These two words are used interchangeably but they don’t mean the same thing. This can be confusing and it is no wonder. Just google “truth vs. fact” and read the ridiculous “crapola” that pops up.
Our world system would have us believe that facts are the rock solid foundation of our lives and truth is, well, whatever you decide it is.
Nope. Herein lies a fundamental error.
Facts are simply a state of existence or something that happened. Facts can, and do, change. It is a fact that chocolate chip is my favorite cookie but oatmeal raisin is gaining in favor and could take over the number one spot at any time. (See what I mean?)
Truth, on the other hand, is the absence of falsehood and the presence of purity; perfect conveyance. It is the core of integrity and the highest form of expression. For instance, it is true that we reap what we sow. If we smile, we will be smiled upon. If we cheat, we will be cheated, and if we show ourselves friendly, we will have friends. It is true that God loves His creation called people and wants us to hang out with Him forever. Truth never changes.
The fact was that, in the 1770’s, only about one fourth of the population of the American colonies wanted independence from England bad enough to fight them for it. The truth is that no human kingdom had power to abort the birth of the greatest nation on earth. It was God’s plan all along.
What a laughable twist (if you can keep your sense of humor) that peanut-brained modern man would come to honor the report (facts) and debase the higher concern (truth). The founding fathers knew better and refused to let the facts contain them. They lived and breathed scriptural truth. Is this getting too complicated for the philosophy scholars out there? Let me break it down for you: truth trumps fact. These two words are fishing the same water, but truth knows it is more important how we fish than what we fish with. Truth occupies a higher place, is zealous, and lives on – long after the facts are forgotten.
Police detectives search out the facts of the case and then at the trial the witnesses are compelled to tell the truth. Why? In the criminal justice system (and everyday life) only pure communication serves the twin goals of peace and justice.
Physical and spiritual truths didn’t arrive on the scene because somebody thought they were a good idea. Nor did they evolve from a pool of green slimy stuff somewhere, or a Big Bang in the ancient cosmos. Truth didn’t come about because mellow friends were chillin’ and feeeeeelin’ reeel truthy one day. ALL truth comes from the Author of all things (Heb. 2: 10) and, physical and spiritual truths don’t go away because we ignore them, deplore them, or attempt to dismiss them with a bunch of facts. If you disagree, climb up on the roof where you live, curse gravity and jump off. I didn’t think so.
You know, the world wants us to just accept the facts: life is hard and then you die. Please try to die silently so as not to disturb your fellow victims.
NO WAY!
Will you join me in rejecting the purveyors of factoid negativity. Don’t tell anybody, but I don’t watch the news. Why are you looking at me that way? There’s no telling the impotent, I mean important, facts I missed while not watching the news. For instance, I didn’t know I was supposed to get the flu last winter so I skipped it.
One last thought on the truth. The Bible is often misquoted with, “the truth will make you free” or, “set you free”. This is a phrase from a longer sentence, and taken alone, verbatim, is not true. Here’s why: These are the words of Jesus recorded in John 8: 31-32, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Focus on “you will know the truth”. It is only the truth we KNOW that sets us free. But don’t worry, knowing it is easy. All you have to do is read.
If you are new at it, the book of John is a good place to start.
Wilson Love is Owner/Operator of The Practical Outdoorsman, a retail and consignment store.
