Where is truth?

Whom can we trust to tell us the truth? Advertisers want us to believe that their latest model automobile will make us powerful and popular, or that their "new and improved" grooming product will win us a whole new circle of friends. Political parties try to "sell" their candidates, and confused religious teachers offer a bewildering spectrum of contradictory promises and wild ideas.

It is easy to become a skeptic, listening to ministers and their many promises, claims and counter-claims. If we compare what most ministers teach to what the Bible really says, we might ask: If God is truth and light, why are we inundated by so much darkness and deception?

Most people mistakenly assume that we are living in a world ruled by God. In fact, Scripture explains that Satan is ruling Earth in this present age (2 Corinthians 4:4). Mankind has rejected their Creator's direct rulership, so God is for now permitting a powerful spirit-being to run things, until Jesus Christ returns and then the whole world will come to understand the need to obey the Maker of us all.

Jesus Christ identified for us the one who is now in charge of the governments, educational and civic institutions, and almost every religious organization on earth today. Speaking to His disciples shortly before His arrest and crucifixion, He said: "…the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me" (John 14:30).

To whom was Christ referring? He was describing the being who had offered Jesus the world, if only He would worship him: "Then the devil… showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, 'All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 'Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours'" (Luke 4:5-7).

Notice that Jesus did not dispute the devil's statement. He knew Satan had authority over our world, and could give it to whomever he chose. Instead of denying Satan's authority, He rebuked him, answering: "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve'" (Luke 4:8).

Jesus understood the damage Satan's rule had done and will yet do to the earth and its inhabitants. Notice what He said to religious leaders who denied that He was the Messiah: "Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me, [by keeping His commandments, (John 14:15)] for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me… He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God" (John 8:42-47).

If you are reading this article, we can hope that you are not like those religious leaders to whom Jesus spoke. Although the "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4) is influencing the lives of most people, Jesus has shown His true followers how to live by every word of God. You do not need to accept the lies on which Satan has built his evil kingdom in today's society. To learn how you can reject Satan and live as a true follower of Christ, read our booklet, Do You Believe the True Gospel? Ask Jesus Christ to show you the truth!