From Confusion to Clarity: Understanding the Nature of Truth 

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When I was 12 years old, I started struggling in school. I was having terrible headaches and was struggling to keep up with lessons in class. It didn’t take long for my mom to make an appointment at the eye doctor. We quickly learned that many of my struggles were coming because of my poor eyesight. I was given a prescription, selected a pair of frames, and ordered my first pair of glasses. Just a few days later, my mom and I were on our way back to the doctor’s office to pick them up.  

I vividly remember looking out the window on the drive home and exclaiming, “The trees have leaves!!” I could see the world in a whole new way.  

Putting on glasses that day was like experiencing true clarity for the first time. And I’ve had a similar experience in adulthood as I have looked to the Lord to bring clarity when confusion so easily abounds. 

The Role the Trinity Plays in Understanding Truth

Seeking to find clarity in the midst of confusion is not easy by default. But thanks be to God, in Him we have access to the heart of truth. Consider the role each member of the Trinity plays as you pursue an understanding of truth. 

Look at God’s Character 

Psalm 33:4, “For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth” (NLT).

If you are looking for direction regarding what is true, look no further than the Word of God. For through His Word we learn His unchanging character, which teaches us and steers us toward what is right. As the psalmist says, His word holds true and we can trust everything He does. 

Listen to Jesus  

John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (ESV).

In this simple, but profound, statement, Jesus powerfully declares that not only does He guide us in truth, He is the truth. He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and is the embodiment of clarity over confusion. When you are struggling to know what is right or true, simply listen to the words of Jesus. 

Lean on the Spirit 

John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on his own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” (ESV) 

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God given to believers and as Jesus said in John 16, the Spirit will guide you into truth. As you look at the character of God, and as you listen to the words of Jesus, you can lean on the Spirit in confidence that He, too, is leading you in truth. 

Ultimately, truth leads to freedom. As it’s written in John 8:31-32, “Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (NLT) 

Listen now to a short segment of this meditation from Abide based on John 8:31-32. Let God speak to your heart about how to discern truth.

The Deliberate Pursuit of Clarity

Moving from confusion to clarity takes a deliberate pursuit of the truth. By learning God’s character, listening to the words of Jesus, and leaning on the Spirit, you can be confident that you are surrounding yourself with the truth at every turn. And when you are uncertain, or if confusion starts to creep in, start back at the beginning by looking to the Trinity to steer you back to the truth. Knowing God is the best way to move from confusion to clarity, and to understand the nature of truth. 

 Let Abide help you on your pursuit of going from confusion to clarity. You can access the full-length version of the above meditation and much more with a premium subscription. Use this link for 25% off. 

Gwen lives in Atlanta with her husband, Paul. She loves black coffee, a good novel, and is always looking for a new skill to try or adventure to take.