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Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my
word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32
These words have the potential to make a transforming difference in
our lives. Note that Jesus spoke these words “to those Jews who
believed in him.” That is, those who had accepted His word and
were, therefore, His true disciples. We who also believe in Jesus
should consider these words carefully. The heart of this teaching
is twofold: you must come to “know the truth” so that the truth you
come to know “will set you free.” This teaching of Jesus is
exceptionally helpful on both a psychological and spiritual level.
First of all, on a purely psychological level, one of the greatest
helps to good mental health is the truth. Most often when one
struggles with various forms of depression, it’s because they are
seeing aspects of their life with confusion. “Why did this person
do this to me?” Or “How will I ever get through this?” Or “My life
is a mess and there is no way out.” These and other similar
thoughts will inevitably lead to depression for one simple reason:
they are based on erroneous thinking.
One of the best forms of psychological counseling is what could be
called “truth therapy.” Every despairing question that we have and
every depressing conclusion that we have come to in life must be
reexamined in the light of the mind of God. What does God think?
What is in the mind of God in this regard? Those truths that are
waiting to be discovered are the truth that “will set you free.”
Depression is more easily overcome when we look at our life in the
way that God looks at our life. This produces hope, and hope brings
freedom to the chains of depression and confusion.
On a spiritual level, these principles apply all the more. The
truth about sin, forgiveness, salvation and Heaven must be known
deeply and embraced fully. When we deny the truth of sin or
forgiveness, then we live within a lie and we remain bound by that
lie. True spiritual freedom that leads to salvation and eternity in
Heaven is obtained only when we wholeheartedly embrace the holy and
perfect spiritual truth given to us by God. We must clearly know
our sin, repent of it, seek the forgiveness of God, amend our lives
and live the new life of grace to which we are called.
Reflect, today, upon this powerfully transforming teaching of
Jesus: “know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What
psychological and spiritual truths do you need to more deeply know?
What confusion or blindness remains? Seek the remedy of the Truth
as it is in the mind of God and know that freedom awaits.
God of all Truth, Your Word is liberating, transforming and
fills us with hope. May I turn my mind to You and to Your holy Word
so that I may know the Truth as You speak it and allow that
transforming Truth to set me free. Jesus, I trust in You.
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