“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”
(John 8:32).
Today, I am going to focus on one word, as defined by the Hebrew language. The word is “know.” The Hebrew word for “know” is “yada.” Yada describes something very personal and deeply intimate. Jesus says that we will “know” the truth, and that truth will make us free. We know that wherever there is freedom, there are powers trying to take it from us. Unless we are in an intimate, ongoing, personal daily relationship with truth, we are capable of being deceived and even of losing personal freedom.
Jesus tells us that the world cannot receive truth because they do not know Him. (John 14:17) They have no intimate, personal ongoing relationship with Him. The only way to discern the spirit of truth from that of error is to intimately know the Spirit of Truth.
There is a great struggle in our society today, one where the enemy is trying to control the minds of men. We know that we are not wrestling with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12). We must learn to “try” the spirits and put to the test everything we hear. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we are no more to be as children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. (Eph. 4:14)
There was a man, subordinate to Adolf Hitler, by the name of Joseph Goebbels. He was Hitler’s minister of propaganda for Germany’s Third Reich. Goebbels was considered a master orator and propagandist. One of his most famous quotes was, “Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.” He also believed that truth was the mortal enemy of the lie and that truth was the greatest enemy of the State.1
As we are about to celebrate America’s Independence Day, let us remember what we are commemorating; our freedom and the tremendous price paid for it. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George, III, and were now united, free, and independent states.2 When we said “yes” to Jesus, we became free, united with all believers and subject only to what God ordains.
We cannot allow lies to destroy our nation. We must continue to stand in our pulpits, the marketplace, and in our personal convictions and declare the truth. Let us not forget the famous quote by Edmund Burke, which states “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Freedom is characterized by the good news of the Gospel of truth. (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18). True freedom is granted to all believers in Messiah. (Ps.119:45). This is our heritage. (John 8:36). May we always remember that continued freedom requires constant vigilance.
“And you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32).
May you have a safe and blessed 4th of July.
Love,
P/Karen
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1. www.goodreads.com , “Joseph Goebbels Quotes.”
2. en.m.wikipedia.org , Independence Day (United States)
