Lesson 5: Truth — The Foundation of Freedom
Introduction: Truth Matters Deeply to God
God is not just honest — He is Truth. In Him there is no shadow, no deceit, and no manipulation. From the very beginning, truth has been central to our relationship with Him.
John 14:6 — “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
”Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man, that he should lie…
”Truth is not optional. It is foundational to living a free and holy life. Lies enslave, distort, and destroy. Truth sets us free.
1. Truth vs. Lies — A Spiritual Battle
Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of lies. Every lie we tell, or believe, links us with the wrong spirit.
John 8:44 — “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Ephesians 6:14 — “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…
”Truth is armor. Lies are traps.
2. We Lie to Others — and to Ourselves
Sometimes lies are obvious — bold-faced, intentional deception. But more often, lies are subtle:
We downplay sin to justify it.
We create stories to protect our pride.
We tell “half-truths” to control how we’re perceived.
We hide secrets and call it privacy.
Hebrews 4:13 — “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
”Personal Stories — My Confessions About Truth:
“When I was around 10, I helped out at a flower shop making boutonnieres. One day I sprayed paint on the floor for no reason at all — and then denied it when asked. I even blamed the owner’s child. The guilt of that lie stuck with me more than the act itself.”
“In my 20s, we lived in a house that was bought for us and fully paid for By my Father in-law. Little red house on 2 acres, total price $50,000. . One day among friends, someone mentioned their dream of paying off their home. And before I could stop myself, I said, ‘Oh, we paid ours off already.’ Oh the instant horror! They started questioning me with awe. I talked in circles for a minute and then excused myself and left. I had said it to sound accomplished — and instantly regretted it. The real truth was, that I had always felt lower, poorer than my friends. I was the youngest in the group and we just didn't have the same paycheck coming in that they had. That lie kept me up at night.”
“Later in life, I found myself in a complicated situation. I kept it hidden from those closest to me. When the truth finally came out, I had a split-second urge to lie. But I chose to tell the truth. It hurt — but I learned one of the greatest lessons of my life: secrets are often just dressed-up lies. And they don’t stay hidden forever.”
> Luke 8:17 — “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
3. God’s Truth vs. Human Truth
God’s truth is based on His eternal, unchanging Word. Our “truth” — based on feelings, culture, or opinion — is fragile and flawed.
Isaiah 40:8 — “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Psalm 119:160 — “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”
4. Truth and Wisdom — A Holy Connection
Truth and wisdom walk together. Truth gives clarity. Wisdom teaches us when and how to speak that truth.
Proverbs 4:7 — “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And with all your getting, get understanding.”
Proverbs 3:3 — “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
5. Defeating Fear and Anxiety with Truth
Fear and anxiety are often rooted in lies — “I’m not safe,” “I’m alone,” “This will never get better.” These are not from God. They are tools of the enemy to distort our perspective.
2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
”When we root ourselves in God’s truth — about who we are, whose we are, and what He promises — fear loses its grip. Truth defeats the lies that anxiety feeds on.
6. The World is Full of Deception — Stay Rooted in Truth
We live in a world overflowing with false teaching, spiritual confusion, and deception disguised as wisdom. Truth is not popular — but it is vital.
2 Corinthians 11:14 — “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
”We must pray for discernment:
Philippians 1:9-10 — “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best…”
1 John 4:1 — “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...
”We are called to love truth and reject falsehood, no matter how shiny or familiar the lie may seem.
7. Walking in Truth — Practical Steps
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any hidden lies.
Confess and repent of deceit — even subtle forms.
Embrace honesty, even when it costs you something.
Speak truth in love, not pride.Let truth shape your thoughts, words, and self-perception.
Psalm 51:6 — “Surely you desire truth in the inward parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.”
Reflection Questions:
1. Is there a lie I’ve believed that is still shaping my behavior?
2. Have I hurt someone by withholding the truth?
3. Do I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth — daily?
4. Where do I need to stop pretending?
5. Do I recognize fear and anxiety as lies that I don’t have to live under?
6. Am I discerning about what I hear and accept as truth in the world?
Closing Prayer:
“Lord, I want to walk in truth. I want to know Your truth and speak it with courage and humility. Forgive me for the lies I’ve told — to others, and to myself. Reveal anything hidden in me that keeps me from walking in freedom. I trust that Your truth will protect, correct, and transform me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
“Tell the darn truth. It will go better for you.” — Amy