“The truth will set you free.”
Is this a Bible verse? I’ve heard it used by people trying to enlighten another as to the so-called “truth” in a particular situation. It’s often stated in a humorous or even condescending way. I think I may even have used this on my wife once or twice when I was convinced I was right about something and was trying to enlighten her.
A portion of people who don’t know any better attribute this saying to Martin Luther King, Jr. He used it in a sermon about the Vietnam War. He did make it clear that He was quoting Jesus in John 8:32 and he quoted the full verse – not just the last part above. Here it is from the NIV (MLK, Jr. quoted from the King James) with the previous verse also:
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
What does the context seem to say? In this previous verse, Jesus told the Jewish believers that they were His disciples if they followed His teachings. And in the verses that followed, He defined the truth that set them free: believing that He, the Son, had set them free from being a slave to sin.
In our pursuit of truth through this devotional, a wonderful truth is being conveyed in this verse and passage. If you ever decide to share this verse with others (I’m speaking to myself too), please do so in the context of the Savior setting us free from sin if we just believe in Him, just as those early Jewish believers were admonished. Amen!
