True or Truth?

There is a difference between true and truth. A true statement is something that is “true for the moment.” For instance, “It’s cold today.” That statement is only true on a cold day. If you say it is cold outside on a warm, sunny day, that same statement would be a lie. Truth is always true. True depends on circumstances. Truth does not.

“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth” 1 John 2:21

Once we have learned that true depends on circumstances and that truth is always truth regardless of the circumstances, we will have obtained knowledge of the truth. Now we need wisdom to know what to do with this knowledge.

Here is an example to help discern the difference between wisdom and knowledge. We come to the crossroad where the stop sign is. Along with the stop sign is another sign above it which says, ONE WAY. You now know there is a one-way street coming from your left. That is knowledge. Wisdom is still looking both ways before pulling out!

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” James 1:5

Wisdom is something we need when the knowledge we have is not enough. Obtaining wisdom is a matter of asking God for it. Not only will God give us wisdom, he will give it to us in abundance (to all men liberally). Once God gives you wisdom it is yours. God will not take it away from you (upbraideth not).

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” James 1:6

We ask God for knowledge in the same way we would ask him for anything, by faith. We know from James 1:5 that God gives us wisdom when we ask. That is truth from the scriptures. Why would we waver? The wind that caused the waves to be tossed is a picture of circumstances that cause our faith to waiver. Remember, the circumstances change, truth does not.