Truth is a vast topic. And to live a mentally healthy lifestyle, I believe it is absolutely necessary to have a healthy understanding of what truth means. Because sadly enough, truth holds varying and inconsistent opinions by most people, today. Thus, it is good to ground yourself in the essence of truth so that you properly grasp your identity. So, in this post, I’ll be telling the truth to those who seek it.
What Does Truth Mean? And What Does It Have to Do With Mental Health?
This first subsection is going to deal with truth’s value, because I know that in your head, the gears must be turning and you may be asking, “So what?”
First off, you’ve got to ask yourself what does it truly mean to be mentally healthy? Well, it means that you can function in life, properly. Furthermore, it means that you can live a life where you’re happy with yourself and you can maintain healthy relationships with people.
But, to live a mentally healthy lifestyle, your mind demands a firm grasp on the truth. If you are going to establish and maintain relationships, people will want to know that you’re telling them the truth. And if you want to consistently be honest with others, you must first understand truth and be honest with yourself.
John 8:32 World English Bible (WEB)
32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Psalm 119:45
Therefore, the stability of your mental health is founded upon truth. Even more, God confirms this attitude where He wants us to tell the truth and to be honest, for our own good.
Proverbs 12:19 World English Bible (WEB)
19 Truth’s lips will be established forever,
but a lying tongue is only momentary.
And God shows us that if one is wise, it is essential to be truthful, hence why He says to hold onto truth as much as you would in seeking wisdom, which I talk about in another post.
Proverbs 23:23 World English Bible (WEB)
23 Buy the truth, and don’t sell it.
Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
Talking to the Man Whose Name Is Truth
Now, before anything and everything concerning the topic of truth, you must first meet Him. Truth is not only an abstract, it’s a person.
John 14:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And if you want to live a truthful life, you must first be honest with yourself. Do you want to seek the truth? As Jesus says in the above verse, He is the truth. Everything He does and says is true and there is no falsehood in Him.
If I must compare Jesus to anything, it’s a door. Not just any door, but the door to salvation.
John 10:9 World English Bible (WEB)
9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture.
So, when you connect the above two verses, you see that Jesus Christ is the truth and the door to everlasting meaningfulness. The Heavenly Father is on the other side of that door and when you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, who died on the cross but rose again after three days, you receive the privilege to be His children.
2 Corinthians 6:18 World English Bible (WEB)
18 I will be to you a Father.
You will be to me sons and daughters,’
says the Lord Almighty.”2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8
Therefore, as children of God, you gain the rights to commune with God and for Jesus Christ, who is truth, to live within you. This is the key to living a life full of truth and meaning; this is where you start if you want to be truthful to others.
John 14:23 King James Version (KJV)
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Telling the Truth and Living It at the Same Time
Telling the truth to others is not easy at times, as deceit and lies may be very tempting in hard times. But, as children of God, you must walk in truth, no matter what. Let your life be exemplary. And see what John wrote to the Church concerning his Holy Spirit-inspired joy over their truthfulness.
3 John 3-4 World English Bible (WEB)
3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.
Honesty is an admirable trait and for your own good, for the sake of your mental health, I urge you to refuse dishonesty. God even says that He’ll release a special blessing on those who walk in the truth because after all, He is the truth and by walking in the truth, you show that you are His children.
Psalm 24:3-5 World English Bible (WEB)
3 Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart;
who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood,
and has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh,
righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Therefore, be honest with yourself, be honest with others, and be honest with God. Moreover, God has made you His righteousness so live up to what He’s called you to be by following Him, and lying will become foreign to you.
2 Corinthians 5:21 World English Bible (WEB)
21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.