Sermon Tone Analysis

!!!! Truth is truthfulness, it is an attitude of heart, not a mere matter of intellectual understanding of facts.

Honesty is the condition that goes with Hunger, a precondition to the knowledge of God.

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Do we hunger after truth?

(This links with what precedes).

Truth is more than intellectual knowledge and correct doctrine.

The Hebrew understanding of truth is this: You do not have truth unless you are living in it.

This is in contrast to the Greek view that truth is intellectual and morally neutral.

Truth is experiencing and living in reality.

Our loss of truth about ourselves and about God shows us that the first step in solving our human problems is to become seekers of truth, to become radically honest.

The problem of untruthfulness is clearly pointed out in Romans.

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*Romans 1:18-32*  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.

Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.

For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

See how the rejection of the truth that they knew already, the truth written in their consciences led to idolatry and depravity.

One of the roots of sin is the rejection of truth.

The Apostle John also speaks about truthfulness.

He calls it ‘walking in the light.’

*1 John 1:5-10 * This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with            one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

John’s metaphor is a vivid one.

A person in darkness is disoriented and cannot see what is there around him.

So a person who chooses to disobey conscience and the truth he knows becomes deceived.

!!!! Spiritual deception begins with self-deception, the refusal to accept the truth.

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*John 3:21*  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

*Job 15:31* Let him not trust in futile things, (emptiness) deceiving himself,

    For futility will be his reward.

Whenever we turn from total dependence on the Lord and trust in other things, we will reap emptiness.

This is self-deception.

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*2 Thessalonians 2:9-12* The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

This verse teaches us a very powerful thing.

If we do not have a love of truth, (which implies the willingness to live according to the truth), a delusion will come on us.

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*Psalm 81:11-12 * “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. 12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.

*2 Timothy 4:3,4* For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

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