Buy the Truth, and Sell it Not

“Buy the truth, and sell it not … also wisdom, and instruction and understanding.”
Proverbs 23:23

My family used to host a garage sale once every year when I was a kid.  We would drag out all the unwanted stuff, and we kids would put ridiculously high prices on our old toys hoping to "get rich quick."  Sooner or later someone would show up to haggle and bargain, and we would end up dropping the price, and grinning ear to ear at the cash in our hand. 
The mental picture when I read this verse, "Buy the truth, and sell it not", is of someone sorting through the old dusty garage of their mind.  I see this person finding a box labeled "Truths", a collection of things he purchased years ago, and debating on whether it is worth keeping, or whether he should put his collection of "Truths" up for sale.

What is Truth?
 

Pilate wanted to know the same thing.
John 18:37-38
“Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.  Pilate saith unto Him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in Him no fault at all.”

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the Truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

John 17:17 "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth."

These verses remind us that ultimately, Truth is : the Word of God, and the teachings and the Person of Jesus Christ.

In What Way might someone put Truth up for Sale? 
 
For Sale:  Absolute Truth
 
Relativism is the idea that everybody’s opinion counts the same – especially when it comes to religion, relativism teaches us that no one is truly in the wrong, we just all have different ideas.  The premise is: "Since nobody knows for sure -- can’t we all just get along?"


Absolute truth is an unwanted possession in modern days -- it certainly is becoming a very disposable "garage sale" type item.

The argument goes like this:  "So you go to a Baptist church. How do you know that you’re right and that everybody else is wrong?  Maybe we should all be Muslims … did you ever think about that?  Maybe we should all be Hindus, Mormons, or Catholics …  How do you know you’re right, and they're wrong?"

People with these arguments are trying to get you to "sell" something very precious at a cheap price-- they don't want you to hang on to absolute truth. 
But Jesus said, in no uncertain terms, “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me…” (John 14:6)

Peter said with resolve, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name, under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

How can we be so sure that this Christianity is absolute truth, truth worth hanging onto?

Well, there’s the testimony of the Prophets.  What other religion has so many prophecies that have come true ? Where else will you find the Promise of a Savior coming, and then see it fulfilled in so many ways?

Then there’s the Accuracy of the Scriptures.  Many people have searched this Bible, not to find truth, but to find errors! And how many do you think they’ve found? None!

But what really speaks to the idea of Absolute Truth is when a person has examined it for himself.  I’ve examined this Truth myself; I’ve experimented and tried the Good News of Salvation for myself.  And so from experience I know that it is absolutely true.  It works, it’s real! Jesus really has changed my heart.  When I hear God’s Word, I really do sense God speaking to me.  Absolute truth is not for sale -- it's absolutely real!

My friend, you’d better buy this truth for yourself – that there is absolute truth, not every religion is right.  Not all roads lead to a life hereafter; there is one Supreme truth, and that is Jesus Christ, His Word, and His teachings.

If you go to a secular college, understand that you will hear the idea of relativism, that everyone is right and no one is wrong.  That everyone should seek out and choose to believe what he feels is right for himself.  You will be invited to sell the absolute truth that you have heard for so long, that there is only One Way and Only One Truth!  Don't sell it.

Also For Sale: The Truth that Christianity is to Be Heartfelt, Not a Cold & Dead Religion …


Psalm 15:1-2 “LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”

Many people have “sold” this truth; they just don’t want to hear it anymore.  Many people call themselves Christians because they go to church, and are good people on the outside, and because they perform rituals.  But nothing, absolutely nothing, is happening in their hearts!

Many people think of church as a tradition. They grew up going to church, their parents took them, and so they know some things about Christ. They can repeat some Bible stories and even doctrines, so they believe they must be Christians. 

However, the Truth that we learn is not to be held in our heads, it is supposed to make a difference in our hearts!  Real Truth changes us …

Psalm 51:6 "Behold, Thou desirest Truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom."

God wants us to keep truth in our hearts -- but some people have discovered that dusty box labeled "Heart-felt Christianity" and have decided to discard that old box in their garage sale.  It is not real or important to them.
You are passionate about what is in your heart.  People want to be called Christians, but they don’t want to be passionate about being a Christian.  They don’t want it to be “heartfelt” religion.

1 Samuel 12:24 “Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.”

Satan wants so badly for you to sell this truth !  He certainly doesn’t want you hanging on to any idea that Christianity is a real personal relationship with Jesus. It is essential that you believe that real Truth is something that must lodge itself in your heart.  If you are determined to embrace Christianity, the Devil will try his hardest to persuade you that the Truth of Christianity is just a bunch of facts & stories that you can safely tuck away in your head.  Satan wants to place you in a church that emphasizes rituals and ceremonies so that you will “fall asleep on God” and never awaken to the idea that you can have a Heart-felt, Personal Relationship with God.

It is not enough to nod in assent to some creed and accept some doctrine; Truth must be lodged in our hearts.  Don’t sell the Truth of Heartfelt Christianity!

Also For Sale: Any Truth that Leads Us to Make Choices (about the Way we Do Things).


Psalm 119:30 “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.”

There is a concept out there that the Truths of Christianity are generally-speaking good ideas, but that the Truths of Christianity are not necessarily practical steps.  This concept tells us that the truth we learn should not be taken so seriously that it would force us to make any real decisions or choices in our lives.

It’s kind of like those fairy tales that we learned as kids-- Peter Pan, The Pied Piper, Old Mother Hubbard. We might find some good entertainment and maybe even learn a few good general lessons from such stories, but of course no one really looks back to those old Mother Goose fairy rhymes or Aesop’s Fables to help them make life decisions. Stories like that really do not make any difference in our lives.

This is exactly the lie the Devil wants us to swallow…he wants us to rid ourselves of any idea that Truth leads us to Decisions and helps us make Choices.
Sometimes people come to church and they hear about the Lord Jesus, and they hear the stories of the prophets, and the miracles of the apostles, and they write all these things down in their minds, but then they go out and live the same way they’ve always lived.  Preachers scratch their heads, but behind the scenes a transaction has taken place.  People have heard the message, but decided to "sell" the idea that the Truths they hear are truly practical steps that should lead them to better choices and better living.

Psalm 43:3 "O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles."

Truth is a light beam -- how foolish it is when someone ignores the light shining in the darkness, and chooses instead to keep stumbling on their own way.  Yet somehow people across this nation have been convinced that it is no longer important to follow God's Truth as a series of practical guidelines.
Many of our political candidates are quick to advertise themselves as Christians; but have you noticed that when they are put under pressure and are asked about controversial subjects, they ignore Christian truths?  Their Christianity is not practical; it doesn’t influence the choices they make.

When a young person rides our church van to Sunday School or Bible Club, we are so glad that they are willing to come! But you know, it is disappointing to pour God's Word into young people week after week, and watch them go home and ignore it in everday living.  At an early age, and by watching their parents and older brothers and sisters, they are learning that God's Truth is impractical for daily living.  Some just go home and never try to use what they've heard in daily life.

I worked with a guy once who went to church every Sunday.  We talked often and I discovered he knew all kinds of things about his church history , and also a lot about the Bible. But do you know, of all the guys I worked with, I liked working with him the least?  He had a filthy mouth-- nearly every 3 or 4 sentences, he threw in a cussword.  He was constantly spewing vulgar remarks, dirty jokes, and rude words.  Obviously he was someone who did not allow the Truth he heard each week to sink in and affect his decisions and his manner of speech.
Psalm 25:5  "Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me . . ."

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Why Would Anyone Want to Sell these Truths?


1. The truths of Christianity are getting old-fashioned.

It is not modern or “cool” to be a dedicated, truth-keeping Christian .   Most people don’t appreciate “old-fashioned” -- old-fashioned clothes, old-fashioned thinking, old-fashioned customs.

We used to be a “Christian” nation – but that is not even allowed anymore.

You might chuckle or smile when you see somebody driving an old-fashioned car around, and wonder, "Why are they driving that?"  People will listen to you talk, and watch the way you live and then say, “Why are they living like that?”

Christian truth is strange – it’s not modern .

So some people sell the Truths of Christianity because they find out they are out of style, out of touch – and they just can’t stand it any longer.
2. The truths of Christianity are not convenient.

Life certainly seems to be much easier if you could just “sell” these truths – to get rid of them would free up so much space in your life,  because these truths do influence your life. 
If you stopped believing in God, you’d have your Sundays free, and you could make new plans.
If you stopped following the Lord, you’d probably get back some of your old friends and make some new ones…the kind who stayed away from you when you first started doing what was right …
If you stopped following the truths, if you sold the Truth, in a lot of ways your life might be smoother.

And so for convenience sake, some people sell the Truth.

3. The truths of Christianity are not always appealing.

Our senses demand appeal  -- most kids , if given the choice between a Gummy Bear or a carrot stick , would pick the gummy bear.  It is more appealing.

When you hold up the Truths of Christianity to consider their face value, judged on the way Truth appeals to our senses, many decide that Truth is quite boring and definitely not worth attention or time.

The glitz and the glamor of worldly ways and worldly thinking persuade many people to sell the Truth.
Something more attractive comes along and people quickly part with the Truth.

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Why Should I not Sell these Truths?
1. You should not sell these truths because you owe everything to the Lord.


1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.

2. You should not sell these truths because God is observing.

2 Kings 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight.

3. You should not sell these truths because God chooses those who cherish truth to lead.

Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

1 Kings 2:4 That the LORD may continue His word which He spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said He) a man on the throne of Israel.

4. You should not sell these truths because that is where you find your hope.

Psalm 119:43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

5. You should not sell these truths because anything you trade for God’s truth will be of far less value.

Proverbs 3:1-4 My son, forget not My Law; but let thine heart keep My commandments:  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.  Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:  So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man