Are Christians Obligated to the Truth?

Summary by Grok:

The text argues that while Christian faith is a belief, not a provable fact, believers are obligated to uphold truth, as seen in John 14:6 (“I am the truth”) and John 8:32 (“the truth will set you free”). The author debunks a friend’s conspiracy video about Buzz Aldrin denying the moon landing, using evidence and favoring X.com’s Community Notes. It questions the trustworthiness of Christians who reject clear truth, citing Matthew 12:37. Scripture (Ephesians 4:25, ninth commandment) and thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas frame truth as a duty reflecting God’s nature (Psalm 31:5). Denying truth weakens a Christian’s witness, making it a core obligation.

First, let me say I know that Christian faith is simply that, faith. It is not a factual thing I can show you like pointing to a tree and having us all agree it is a tree. It is a belief. Some believe strongly and others are weaker in faith. Like many things, we cannot prove Christ is who He said he is. That being said, those of us who do believe have an obligation to the truth.

A veteran friend sends me all kinds of conspiracy videos, mainly from Facebook. The latest one he sent makes it appear that Buzz Aldrin said we did not go to the moon. This is an obvious hoax. Buzz never said anything like that in a serious conversation. I proved to my friend that this was the case by sending him an article with video links in context. PS I prefer X.com because of its Community Notes. See here.

As a fellow Christian, if someone professing faith rejects clear truth, what does that reveal about their character? Can they be trusted in other matters if they deny what’s evident? Are they pursuing truth as Jesus calls us to—He who said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:6)? If you knew they deliberately ignored worldly truth, would you trust their words about Christ Himself? Does their witness become worthless? Keep these things in mind when you examine what you believe and espouse in every area of your life. Jesus said: “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37).

Christians have a compelling obligation to uphold and pursue truth, rooted in both their faith’s foundational teachings and its moral framework. The Bible, which serves as their authoritative guide, consistently emphasizes the centrality of truth. John 14:6, for instance, quotes Jesus saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” positioning truth as an intrinsic attribute of Christ himself. This suggests that to follow Jesus is to align oneself with truth, not merely as a preference but as a defining commitment. Similarly, John 8:32 promises that “the truth will set you free,” tying truth to spiritual liberation—a core Christian aspiration.

This obligation extends beyond personal belief into action. Ephesians 4:25 instructs believers to “put away falsehood” and “speak the truth to one another,” framing truthfulness as a communal duty that strengthens the body of Christ. The Ten Commandments reinforce this with the ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness,” which prohibits lying and underscores the ethical weight of honesty. For Christians, truth isn’t optional—it’s a reflection of God’s nature, as seen in Psalm 31:5, where He is called “the God of truth.”

Historically, Christian thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas further solidify this. Augustine argued that lying is inherently sinful because it distorts the purpose of speech, which is to convey truth in alignment with God’s order. Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, ranked truth as a virtue tied to justice, obligatory for a well-ordered society. These perspectives suggest that Christians are called not just to avoid falsehood but to actively seek and defend truth, even when it’s inconvenient or costly.

Practically, this means Christians must engage with reality as it is—whether in personal dealings, interpreting scripture, or confronting worldly challenges. Denying truth, whether through self-deception or cowardice, contradicts the discipleship they profess. If God is truth, and humans are made in His image (Genesis 1:27), then pursuing truth becomes a way to honor both Creator and creation. To shirk this duty risks undermining the credibility of their witness and the coherence of their faith. Thus, Christians are bound—by scripture, tradition, and reason—to uphold truth as a non-negotiable obligation.