Introduction:

A. II Timothy 3:7

1. In this context Paul is writing, by inspiration, about gullible women loaded down with sins that are led away from the Lord by men who are false Christians (II Timothy 3:1-6).
2. These women are so easily led away because they learn, but do not come to know the truth.

B. The object of what we will discuss today, knowing the truth, demands that we understand what “truth” we will be talking about.

1. When we speak of the word of God, we are talking about a synonym for truth:

a. John 17:17
b. I Thessalonians 2:13
c. II Timothy 2:15
d. James 1:18

2. When we speak of the Gospel, we are talking about a synonym for truth:

a. Galatians 2:5
b. Galatians 2:14

3. The word of God and the Gospel are one in the same:

a. Ephesians 1:13
b. Colossians 1:5

C. We must also understand how one can come to learn the truth.

1. Through being taught:

a. Romans 10:13-15
b. I Corinthians 1:21
c. Matthew 28:18-20

2. As we grow we can learn further through our own studies:

a. Joshua 1:8
b. Psalms 119:11
c. Matthew 4:4; John 5:39

I. What Hinders One Who Studies Frequently, but Does Not Come to Know the Truth?

A. Preconceived ideas:

1. “All churches use pianos.” -Not the Lord's church (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, etc.)
2. “Every church is just as good as another.” - Not according to the Lord (Matthew 16:18 and Ephesians 4:4).
3. “All I have to do is believe.” - Not so (James 2:14-26).
4. “I keep the Ten Commandments, so I’ll go to heaven.” - A dead law cannot save (Romans 7:1-6).

B. Emotionalism:

1. “Better felt than told”: Proverbs 28:26
2. “My heart will guide me”: Jeremiah 17:9
3. “I have to trust my conscience”: Proverbs 3:5
4. “I just feel it is right”:  Proverbs 14:12

C. Alignment with error or those in error:

1. John 12:42-43
2. Galatians 1:9-10

D. The desire to be ignorant:

1. II Corinthians 3:13-16
2. Ephesians 4:17-19

E. The love of sin:

1. John 3:19-20
2. II Timothy 4:10

II. How Can We Be Sure We Are Properly Learning and Coming to Know the Truth?

A. We must be willing to hear and apply all that the Lord says:

1. Deuteronomy 12:32
2. We need the “what God says I will do attitude”: James 1:22

B. We need to be sure that when we learn from others that they are teachers of the truth and they know what they are teaching.

1. I Timothy 1:5-7
2. I Timothy 1:19-20
3. II Timothy 2:16-18
4. Misapplication of the Scriptures is dangerous: II Peter 3:15-16

III. What Will Happen if We Do Not Know the Truth?

A. We will fail in understanding right from wrong:

1. Jeremiah 4:22
2. Hebrews 5:14
3. If we don’t know right from wrong… Isaiah 5:20

B. We will be ripe for the pickings of false teachers:

1. Romans 16:17-18
2. II Peter 3:17-18
3. We will not know how to measure one’s fruits:

a. Matthew 7:15-16
b. John 7:24
c. I John 4:1; cf. I Thessalonians 5:21

4. If being misled we must: Proverbs 19:27

C. We will teach others error:

1. James 3:1
2. Matthew 15:14

D. We are assured that we will be lost

1. Only the truth will make you free (John 8:32).
2. We must abide in or walk in the truth: III John v.4

Conclusion:

A. Let us be always learning and able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1. Our attitude needs to be: Psalms 119:18
2. Give me “Seconds” [using a food application], love the word of God, enjoy it: Psalms 119:103

B. Buy the truth and sell it not Proverbs 23:23!!

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© 2005 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made.  In other words, preachers do your own work.  Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.