What Does the Bible Say About “My Truth”?

“I’m speaking my truth.”

Have you ever heard someone say this? This expression, often spoken with great conviction, is a hallmark of what has been dubbed the “my truth” movement in recent years.

Though increasingly popular, this social trend is laden with ambiguity. A quick Google search for the definition of “my truth” yields various explanations and perspectives. This begs the question: What is the truth about “my truth”?

Let’s examine this concept by considering four questions:

• What is it?
• What does it mean?
• Where does it come from?
• What does it produce?

What is “my truth”?

There is no single definition of “my truth.” However, it is generally assumed to refer to the beliefs or opinions of any given individual. Every person has a unique set of experiences, and we use these experiences to form conclusions about life.

“My truth” is what I believe to be true based on my own perspective and experiences. Likewise, “your truth” is what you conclude to be true based on your perspective and experiences.

What does “my truth” mean?

This can appear quite logical on the surface. After all, we all come from different families and backgrounds, live in different places, know different people and have different experiences. Naturally we’re going to look at things through different lenses.

But is that what the proponents of “my truth” really mean?

The “my truth” movement introduces the idea that because we are all unique, what is true for one person might not be true for another. This leads to a much more dangerous assertion: Truth is relative and there are no absolutes.

Where does “my truth” come from?

While the phrase my truth may be relatively new, the concept behind it is not. It is suspiciously reminiscent of relativism, which began gaining popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Cambridge Dictionary defines relativism as “the belief that truth and right and wrong can only be judged in relation to other things and that nothing can be true or right in all situations.”

Understanding the truth involves accepting a fundamental concept: God defines what is true. He is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. Similarly, Vocabulary.com states that according to relativism “there’s no absolute truth, only the truths that a particular individual or culture happen to believe.” Moral relativists champion the idea that humans are qualified to determine right and wrong for themselves in most circumstances.

But are we?

In Genesis 3:4-5, Satan deceived Eve with an enticing and dangerous lie. He claimed, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Through craftiness, Satan promised Eve knowledge and authority that belong only to God. He tempted her with the idea that God was unfairly restricting humans by withholding the ability to determine right and wrong for themselves. Tragically, she believed him.

From the beginning, humankind fell prey to the false assertion that we can decide right and wrong for ourselves, removing God from the picture. This false assertion is where the concept of “my truth” originates.

What does the “my truth” mindset produce?

Consider three natural consequences of “my truth” thinking:

Multiple sources of truth

The mindset behind “my truth” encourages people to consider their own beliefs and ideas as their primary source of truth. When everyone does this, the result is multiple sources of truth.

If everyone has the ability to determine right and wrong, how can we tell when one person’s beliefs are more valid than anyone else’s? This phenomenon creates confusion that obscures the truth.

Conflict

The belief that individuals should have their own versions of truth inevitably leads to conflict, especially when one person’s “truth” clashes with another’s. The notion that everyone can and should define his or her truth sounds ideal until these “truths” misalign.

The “wise in your own eyes” effect

The “my truth” movement encourages us to look no further than our own lives and perspectives when forming our beliefs. When we do this, we are guilty of being “wise in [our] own eyes,” believing ourselves to be more informed, more competent and more qualified than we actually are (Proverbs 3:7).

So, if the “my truth” mentality yields negative results, what is a better alternative?

What is the truth?

First, we must determine what the truth actually is. The truth differs from “my truth.”

The difference is quite simple: “My truth” is what I believe to be true based on my ideas and experiences. The truth is what the Creator, who knows all things, proclaims to be true. John 17:17 puts it plainly: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

For a deeper study of this important passage, listen to the Verse by Verse podcast episode “Sanctify Them by Your Truth (John 17:17).”

What does the truth mean?

Understanding the truth involves accepting a fundamental concept: God defines what is true. He is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong.

Once we acknowledge that God’s Word is truth, we must make a crucial decision: Will we cling to our own personal notions of truth, or will we align our beliefs with God’s Word? Will we adopt God’s truth as our truth?

This requires submitting our thoughts and beliefs to God, adopting His definition of truth and His standards of right and wrong. This may sound simple, but it takes great faith, humility and effort. 

When we feel tempted to assert our own ideas of right and wrong, we must consciously choose to trust God and not lean on our own understanding. For more information about absolute truth, read “What Is Truth?”

Where does the truth come from?

In contrast to “my truth,” the truth has one source of origin. This allows it to retain its integrity and reliability over time.

That single source is the Bible.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God directly inspired Scripture as the single source of truth for all time—past, present and future. 

God’s Word has always been, always is and always will be the truth. The words of the Bible still proclaim the truth, and they still equip us for every good work.

What does the truth produce?

Let’s consider three benefits of accepting God’s truth as our truth:

Discernment

In 1 John 4:1, John encourages us to “test the spirits” to see if they align with God’s truth. Even in John’s time, the culture was rife with ideas that contradicted God’s truth. We face a similar situation today, and we must also carefully evaluate what we hear or read.

Fortunately, the Bible gives us the tools to discern truth from error. It gives us a clear standard by which we can assess differing beliefs and ideas as we encounter them.

Peace

A myriad of incompatible ideas inevitably produces confusion and anxiety. In contrast, the simplicity of the truth produces peace. The Bible declares, “The truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). This describes many forms of freedom, including the peace that comes from giving up the unending search for truth from various often-disagreeing sources.

In a world that debates conflicting beliefs and opinions, it is comforting to know that one source stands separate and above everything. As Isaiah 26:3 explains, “You [God] will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

To learn more about the freedom that comes from God’s truth, read “‘The Truth Shall Make You Free’: The Meaning of John 8:31-32.”

Humility

The best way to avoid being wise in our own eyes is to recognize how little we truly understand about the truth apart from God. Acknowledging that we are incapable of determining right from wrong for ourselves is a humbling and necessary realization.

As Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes shame.” Insisting on our own beliefs when they do not align with God’s is a manifestation of pride. However, as the verse continues, “with the humble is wisdom.” Rather than elevating our ideas to the level of truth, we must humbly come before the Creator and source of all truth and seek His guidance and wisdom.

Next time you hear people declare that they are speaking their truth, take a moment to consider whether or not their assertions align with the truth.

After all, God’s truth is the only truth that matters.