Withstanding the truth
1. A lot of attention has recently been given to the word “withstand.”
2. We have read, seen or heard about levies being able to “withstand” surges of water.
3. Homes have had to “withstand” hurricane force winds.
4. There is a word translated “withstand” in 2 Tim. 3:8.
5. This term has an interesting background to it.
6. In many instances it was applied to military battles.
7. Lev. 26:37 uses it to describe the “resistance” of enemies; withstanding the opposition.
8. Certainly our nation’s military is very interested in ways to “withstand” attacks.
9. You may have seen a recent report about robotic weaponry.
10. Instead of a soldier going in to explore caves, small robots are being sent in instead.
11. Small robots are being used to investigate, diffuse, and even blow up bombs.
12. Some of our robot forces have machine guns mounted on the units.
13. Resistance, withstanding something, and opposition are all concepts we understand.
14. God expressed all these ideas in a single word.
15. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament we find the word used in 2 Tim. 3.
16. God spoke of people trying to “withstand” Him in Jer. 49:19.
17. Jer. 50:24, 29 makes a similar point.
18. In the New Testament the word translated “withstand” is not limited to 2 Tim. 3:8.
19. We also find it being used in texts like Rom. 13:2.
20. There Paul employed it to describe “resisting government.”
21. History is filled with examples of opposing something related to the government.
IF WE LOOK AT EITHER TESTAMENT IN THE BIBLE, WE FIND EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO “WITHSTOOD” THE TRUTH.
a) One such example is found in Jer. 28, and this is really where we begin.
b) Jer. 28 has an exciting story, but we hardly ever study it.
c) Long ago there was a false prophet named Hananiah.
d) To really appreciate the story, we must turn back to Jer. 27 for some background.
2) God told His prophet Jeremiah to make a yolk for himself.
3) Jeremiah was to wear something like animals would have worn.
4) Then the prophet was to send messages to several kings (Jer. 27:3).
5) God’s message was that He made the earth and all that this planet contains (Jer. 27:5).
6) God decreed that Babylon would have great power (verse 6). It would rule and rule.
7) In verse 9 God warned about withstanding His word about Babylon.
8) Heaven said false preachers were offering another outcome, but this false message was to be rejected.
9) God said the false prophets were speaking “lies.”
10) The false prophets obviously didn’t appreciate being called liars.
11) Such a denunciation was direct opposition, and it threatened their following.
12) Thus, there is a man in Jer. 28 (a false prophet) who responded to Jeremiah.
a) This false predictor said oppression from the nation of Babylon would end.
b) He said it would cease in 24 months (2 years).
c) Sure, it would be bad for a little while, but it would all pass.
d) This great proclamation was made in front of all the priests and people (Jer. 28:1).
e) Jeremiah was aware of the claims and he said he wished they were true (verses 5-9).
f) Then God’s prophet offered a reminder: predictors had better be right.
g) Jeremiah’s words were not well received – verse 10 of Jer. 28 – READ.
h) When Jeremiah had the yolk removed from his neck and broken, he walked off.
i) A little later this great man of God came back – verses 13-14 - READ.
13) Hananiah was not only wrong, he actively opposed the truth.
14) What happened to this man who rejected the way that is right?
15) Verses 16-17 – READ.
16) The man who said peace, safety and deliverance was wrong and he died.
17) Withstanding the truth has never been a wise move.
18) If this course is chosen and people stick with it, they will die!
19) We cannot reject the truth and continue to live or continue to prosper.
20) This is true in religion; it also applies to children as they receive instruction from mom and dad.
21) Life (what is good) comes by finding and embracing the truth.
22) Let’s move far from the book of Jeremiah and see what Luke recorded in Acts 13.
a) As this chapter begins we find that Paul and Barnabas were on a type of special assignment.
b) They eventually got to Cyprus and presented some lessons in a synagogue.
c) John Mark (verse 5) was with them on this particular journey.
d) The men preached their way across the island and finally met a Jewish sorcerer.
e) This man, just like Jer. 28, was a false teacher.
f) With this false teacher was an important official who was open to hearing the truth.
g) Let’s pick up the story with the 7th verse – READ.
h) Three key characters are in this story:
i) There is a preacher who has the truth and he wants to share it with others.
j) We have a second man who wants to hear the truth.
k) A third fellow wants the truth to be kept away from the man who is interested.
l) An example of withstanding the truth is found in verse 8 – READ.
m) In Jer. 28, a man’s life was taken because he tried to hinder the truth.
n) What was the consequence on this occasion? Verses 9-12 – READ.
23) We are saved by the truth of the gospel; it is the seed that works in the heart.
24) It would seem reasonable that people would not oppose the truth because we need it.
25) Yet, we find great opposition to the information that saves our soul and helps us in life.
26) Jesus once said Satan tries to take away that seed once it has been planted.
27) Satan is not the only one who opposes the truth.
28) People themselves will go to great lengths to oppose the truth.
29) We see this in regards to moral issues.
a) We have proof miles long to prove that the unborn are children.
b) Those who favor what is called abortion withstand the truth (deny the evidence).
c) I have know of people who said, “Don’t show me any pictures.”
d) “Don’t tell me anything; I just want to end the pregnancy.”
e) Here is an example of withstanding the truth, and it is opposition by denial of the facts.
30) We also see opposition to the truth in the religious realm.
31) People have sat down for a Bible studied, look at some passages, and shut their Bibles.
32) In some cases people have slammed their Bibles shut and stomped out of a house.
33) Truth was rejected so cherished beliefs or feelings would continue to reign supreme.
34) Any attempt to withstand the truth will at one point or another bring God’s displeasure.
35) Gal. 1:7-9 is a well known passage in the Bible.
36) Paul said though he or someone else preached a different gospel, they were accursed.
37) If we preach something or believe something besides the truth, we are withstanding the truth.
38) Anything besides whole hearted support of the truth is opposition to the truth.
39) We know this because of Acts 17.
a) Paul came to some people of Athens (Acts 17:22).
b) He said these men were “very religious.”
c) When we think of “very religious” people, good qualities often come to mind.
d) If a person is religious, they should be decent, kind, honest, reliable.
e) When it comes to truth, religious people should be the ones who have it and hold to it.
40) Let’s see how well these religious people did with truth.
41) We find a lot of sermon material in Acts 17:23-28.
42) A tentative conclusion is in verse 29 – READ.
a) If these people were looking for the truth, they could not have it by using an earthly god.
b) Furthermore, truth demands repentance (verse 30).
c) Truth demands recognizing a coming judgment day for all (verse 31).
d) If people wish to withstand the facts of the faith, they can only do so in this life.
e) Verses 32 and 34 are key passages.
43) Let’s look at verse 32 first – READ.
a) “Mocked” is a response to truth. It is a response that withstands and resists.
b) Today we find this very same reaction to truth in nearly every walk of life (i.e. rejection).
c) This past week I sent a picture of a bad part to a customer.
d) The customer called me back and said, “It’s not ours.”
e) Yes it was. My picture didn’t lie. The shipping label I pulled didn’t lie.
f) That objectionable part fit into only one place on the automobile.
g) Finally that supplier accepted responsibility; the man acknowledged the truth.
44) Opposition to truth may be small or great, but it is still resistance and antagonism.
45) A second reaction is also in the 32nd verse of Acts 17; “we will hear thee again.”
46) The first time we receive some news we may not believe it.
47) A bad report may come a doctor; we want a second opinion and perhaps a third.
48) We get the reports, the tests are repeated, and then we face the truth.
49) Waiting a while or further investigating something is not withstanding the truth.
50) It is proving all things and holding fast that which is good.
51) A final reaction is found at the end of the chapter; some “clave to him.”
52) Here were good hearts; people evaluated the information, found it to be true, and accepted it.
53) Surely this meant big lifestyle changes.
54) If idols were in the homes of these people, they surely got rid of their false gods.
55) Their beliefs and practices would have changed.
56) It is futile to
resist the truth, but it is fruitful to embrace it.
57) When it comes to resisting, this word is an important term in our lives.
58) We do need to be resistant, but we need for the right thing.
59) The word used in 2 Tim. 3:8 is also found in James – Jas. 4:7.
60) James said to “resist” the devil.
61) Too many resist the truth and give right in to the devil.
62) We must resist and oppose what is wrong and run to what is right and true.
63) Are we resisting (withstanding) some part of the Scriptures in our life?