How is Truth Anchored?
It is fascinating to observe how the human mind works. The Bible informs us clearly of how the mind works in general. But watching that play out in reality is illuminating.
We are aware of two ways of life. Humans are capable of walking these two ways. Of course, God’s way of life requires His Holy Spirit to enable the mind to see the Way. The New Testament Church faced this situation often.
“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit” (Jude 17-19).
Jude’s language is quite plain. He is addressing the same issues as Peter when Peter wrote;
“.. even as there will be false teachers among you …” (2 Peter 2:1).
So, what is the mechanism that allows the mind to work in a way that deceives (possibly even itself) by appearing to be walking the way of God? A clue is provided for us by John:
“We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6).
As there are two ways of life, there are two spirits. In the current relativistic environment, truth is no longer absolute. It is the spirit of error. But those who have this kind of mind, don’t think they do not have truth. Their truth becomes absolute to them. But what is the truth they hold on to so dogmatically?
Their truth can only be produced by what the mind perceives in this physical world.
“People now decide what is true “for them” on the basis of what they want. Their desires are the foundation, and those desires are shaped by who they want to be affiliated with. But in the world of such relativistic affiliations, because truth is no longer absolute, the affiliation becomes absolute.” Right Reason and the Smudge, April 6, 2026 by Douglas Wilson.
In the absence of absolute truth, the natural human mind establishes an anchor in tangible things in this world.
God’s truth is absolute. It is not a product of the human mind. That truth is given to us by God via His Spirit. As John points out, “…the Spirit is truth” (1 John 5:6). Truth is anchored in something outside of the human realm. Outside of the working of the human mind. Christ said before His death that the Father would provide a helper for humans to live God’s way of life – the Spirit of truth.
Truth is not determined by what we want. It is determined by the will of God. Truth may not always be convenient and sometimes the pursuit of truth can feel futile — especially in a relativistic worldly environment. But it is the anchor that will hold us fast through turbulent times. We need to be anchored in God’s truth.
Brian Orchard
