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Those Who Oppose Themselves
November 22, 2025

Those of us who have lived a bit have met people who didn’t act in their own best interest, and there are many, many people who simply do not act in their own best interest, and most of these people we never hear about. As a teacher I found it to be challenging explaining why something wasn’t in a student’s best interest because my explanation flew in the face of what was wanted, even when what was wanted wasn’t the best. Everybody makes decisions throughout their life that aren’t in their best interest, and the problem magnifies when decision after decision is not in the person’s best interest. The consequences of making decision after decision not in one’s best interest will catch up to any person. Without thinking through the consequences, people do make decisions that oppose what is best for them.

We tend to default to the concept that people always act in their own best interest, and reality is far removed from that. One person’s decision that is not in their own best interest can have a cascading impact on those around them so many more besides just the person are impacted. Even when a decision is made with good intentions, sometimes what starts as good intentions is not in a person’s best interest. Even spiritually we can see when people are not acting in their own best interest. Ironically, the great deception perpetuated by Satan revolves around the concept that God does not act in the best interest of people and it’s up to people to decide for themselves what is in their own best interest, and to act on that. This great deception does not replace truth and what is expected by God of His people who are called Christians within the Church of God.

During his apostolic journeys, Paul encountered people who opposed themselves, who when presented with truth rejected it. These people opposed themselves because hearing truth which would lead to eternal life, they continued to believe what they had been taught, and those teachings would not lead to eternal life. When Paul arrived in Corinth after departing Athens, he found many Jews who lived there because they had been expelled from Rome. While there, he made every effort to teach the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah and through Him was the opportunity for eternal life. Paul was hoping they would embrace truth, but the Jews continued to embrace what they had been taught. In rejecting truth, the Jews opposed themselves and this experience helped Paul to understand that his ministry was to be limited to gentiles who probably mostly had very little prior understanding of what the Jews believed.

Acts 18:1-6
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome: and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

When the Jews opposed themselves by not embracing truth, Paul decided to focus his ministry on the gentiles. What are we to do today as we encounter and interact with people who oppose themselves by not embracing truth? Paul gave Timothy some solid advice. First, he reminded Timothy that he should never do anything that could bring shame to him or the faith. Think of the scandals involving religious figures in recent times. Some of those involved in the broadest sense what would be called an abuse of power with some scandals involving lavish spending and others involving sex. What Paul taught was to avoid that which could bring shame. When we rightly divide the word of truth, there are no special privileges and exemptions for people of faith who have truth. We hold ourselves to the standard of truth in the Bible. We avoid those things which are tangents of the truth, because as we find ourselves removed from the truth, even if just a little, that opens room for more and more untruth, or ungodliness, to seep in, and once that process starts it can be hard to stop. If we are of truth, we depart from iniquity and prepare ourselves to be used for good works.

Paul also told Timothy to flee youthful lusts. Timothy was a younger adult at this time and was essentially told not to be focused on what many of his same-age peers would be focused on. Instead of focusing on those things which can be defined as youthful lusts, he was told to follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart, those who are focused on truth. He reminded Timothy there was nothing to be gained by giving consideration to foolish and unlearned questions because instead of focusing on what truth is, they bring questions and doubt about what truth is. Paul knew Timothy was a younger adult, and sometimes younger adults seem to have more to prove, that as a younger adult they are as capable as a more established adult. Paul having been a younger man himself would have understood this telling Timothy that in teaching truth there was no need for debate and argument. He told him to be gentle to all people and to patiently focus on teaching all men, teaching them truth. He explained that teaching truth uses meekness and not moral superiority, especially when teaching those who oppose themselves, who do not embrace truth, because we never know when God might call these people. If we teach truth with meekness, it is much more likely those who opposed themselves and have been called to truth will accept their calling and spiritually be on the road to eternal life.

2 Timothy 2:15-26
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Sometimes, those who oppose themselves also exalt themselves. Those who do not embrace truth and reject it, believe something else. What they believe tends to be whatever makes sense to them, and as simple and as innocent as that might seem, it is a step in exalting oneself. Paul warned the Thessalonians, and that warning serves as a warning for us thousands of years later, that we are not to be distraught as we move closer and closer to the return of Jesus Christ. We are reminded not to allow any person to deceive us because before Jesus does return there will be a falling away first where a man of sin is revealed. This person will appear religious, but this person does not embrace truth. This person knows truth but embraces what is untruthful. With religious pomp and ceremony, this person acts as if he is God on earth, which we all know is blasphemy.

It is at this point that the end time events begin to quickly take shape. We see Biblical evidence of the temple of God established once again before Jesus returns. Other prophetic verses show that this temple will be in Jerusalem. How important is truth versus the lie? God will send a strong delusion so that those who do not embrace truth will believe the lie, and unlike the truth which leads to righteousness, the lie leads to unrighteousness and a world of suffering.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Doing what is expected of us by living a life of good works and consistently showing we are not for sale, cannot be bought, and will not accept a bribe, we hold our faith with the seriousness it merits without acting hypocritically. When it comes to the words we use, we are careful to use words which do not bring condemnation to us. We do all of this in part knowing we live in a world that opposes itself, that has embraced the lie instead of embracing truth, and we purposefully avoid those things which can cause these people to say evil things about us. We take those same principles and even apply them to the job we have, so nothing we do can bring shame to God and Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:7-10
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Jesus taught through parables that the faithful would live among the unfaithful, that the faithful who embrace truth would live among the unfaithful who do not embrace truth choosing to embrace the lie. He showed that at His return the faithful would be gathered for him and the unfaithful would be gathered for destruction. The faith that the faithful are to have may look much smaller now than the unfaithfulness of the unfaithful when we look at numbers of people. Those who embrace truth now are much smaller in number than those who embrace the lie. Just like a mustard seed which is very small grows into a large plant that is big enough for birds to perch on, the faith of the faithful today is very small compared in number to the unfaithfulness of the unfaithful, but in the Kingdom of God it will be easy to see the reward of the faithful.

The faith of the faithful today can be compared to the small amount of leaven that is used to raise bread dough. When the leaven and flour is mixed together dry, the leaven can be very hard to see. Similarly today, the faith of the faithful is much smaller than the unfaithfulness of the unfaithful when counting people. But, when moisture is introduced into the dry mix, it does not take long to see the impact of the leaven, and it will not take long to see the reward of the faithful in the Kingdom of God. The disciples heard the parables but because they had not yet been given the Holy Spirit, they had a hard time understanding and asked Jesus to explain. Jesus taught that the faithful live among the unfaithful, and that the unfaithful are encouraged and led by Satan. In the end the faithful, the righteous, will be part of the Kingdom of God, and unless they repent the unfaithful will not.

Matthew 13:24-43
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

We also know as ominous as that message is, that hope is lost at this time only for those who have committed the unpardonable sin. Through the study of God’s Holy Days we recently studied the resurrections showing there remains hope for so many who died because they were never called. As we move closer and closer to the return of Jesus Christ, the times we live in will become more intense. As we stay focused on the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness and as we embrace truth, we will find the gap between us and those who embrace the lie widening. As distressing as that may seem we need not have any anxiety about it because the Holy Spirit will lead us in what to say. If we are patient and allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, those who embrace the lie will be unable to convict us on our words.

Luke 21:10-19
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

Paul wrote of what today would be called risk and reward. In writing to the Corinthians about his plan to remain at Ephesus until Pentecost, he explained even though he would face many adversaries, a risk, that in Ephesus there was a great and effective door opened for him. Living in a world that has mostly embraced the lie there is a risk to each of us that those who embrace the lie could become our adversaries today. There is also an opportunity for each of us because living in a world that mostly only knows the lie, what we believe will be noticeably different, and if that noticeable difference is coupled with meekness, the example we give by living our lives will not be seen as hypocritical. Living a life not seen as hypocritical will give people a contrast to the lie that so many embrace.

1 Corinthians 16:5-9
Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

We have nothing spiritually to fear from those who embrace the lie, because in embracing the lie they have rejected truth. What information could they possibly convey to us where we would also embrace the lie and reject truth? We need to remember that when it comes to those who embrace the lie that it is we who embrace truth, and that for us salvation is on the line, and that salvation comes to us by God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:21-30
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

The faith that we have includes a foundation of knowledge. Embracing truth requires us to embrace knowledge that supports truth. We cannot on the one hand embrace truth while embracing knowledge that contradicts truth. We need to understand that false teachings arise in any and all areas of life, not just what is spiritual and in the Bible. We need to reject the lie and the false teachings associated with the lie, because if we fail to do so those false teachings will become part of our faith and jeopardize our salvation.

1 Timothy 6:20-21
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

The Greek word for science in the verses we just read is gnosis, Strong’s Greek word 1108, meaning knowledge. Timothy is not being warned about accepting what is factual with science, but accepting and acting on false knowledge. We also need to consider that while knowledge is important, love is even more important. We can have all manner of spiritual knowledge and lack love, but if we have love for God and do what God expects of us, God will know us.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Embracing truth does not give us the prerogative to hide knowledge that supports truth. We can justify any reason why hiding knowledge that supports truth might make sense, but Jesus castigated the religious lawyers of His time who took away the key to knowledge. These religious lawyers created a system that made unlocking truth and understanding virtually impossible. When truth was brought before them in the form of prophets and apostles, they continued to embrace the lie and took action to preserve the lie by bringing harm to and killing prophets and apostles. Jesus pointed out that even the religious lawyers refused the key to knowledge for themselves, and they definitely made religious knowledge so confusing that the lie was easy to believe.

Luke 11:45-54
Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

In the psalms we can read that those who do and practice sin lack spiritual knowledge. They do not call upon God to lead them to righteousness.

Psalm 14:1-7
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge. Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Isaiah writes that wisdom and knowledge would be the stability of a future time, and the wisdom and knowledge that Isaiah writes of is based on strength and salvation, and the fear of God, reflecting that the wisdom and knowledge that Isaiah writes of is wisdom and knowledge grounded in truth.

Isaiah 33:1-6
Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. O Lord, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered. And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them. The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.

When Paul wrote the church at Rome, he described having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law. Something that has form has the shape and appearance, but it may not have the substance. Think of a mannequin in clothing store that has the shape of a person, but the mannequin is not a person. Unless you find yourself in a horror movie featuring a clothing store, that mannequin is made of another substance to look like a person. From a far enough distance, a person might mistake the mannequin for a real person, but the closer the person gets to the mannequin, the more likely the person is to see what they thought was a person was just a mannequin. Paul was writing how the law gave a form to knowledge and truth, much like a mannequin is formed to look like a person. Paul explained that if all we see is form in religious beliefs and practices, it can become convenient to excuse ourselves from those beliefs and practices. We might teach the need to not steal and find ourselves stealing from others, or teaching against any other sin and finding ourselves doing the same. Embracing truth leads us to embrace the substance of faith and not just the form. Before we expect something spiritually of another person, we have already expected it from ourselves and are doing what is expected.

Romans 2:17-24
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

We need to remember that Paul explained that our battle is spiritual and mental, not physical. We find ourselves living in human bodies subject to the human life experience. Some of us were born with disabilities and others of us will experience disability that comes through the aging process. We all share in having the same basic needs. Take away food and water from any of us and it will not be long before we become weak and irritable. Introduce an illness to our bodies and our bodies will feel weak. Our bodies are in a position to control us if we allow that to happen, and Paul explained that we must bring every thought into captivity, because human thoughts, including the human thoughts that pop into the mind of a person who is led by the Holy Spirit can oppose what God wants for us. Paul explained we need to bring into captivity every thought so that we are obedient for Jesus Christ. From this we can see there is a need to fight to continue to embrace truth.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Truth that we must embrace comes through God the Father and Jesus Christ. As we are led by the Holy Spirit, we will find ourselves understanding more and more of this truth. If we are led by the Holy Spirit, we will not allow any person to trick us with words that might seem to give us an advantage. There is nothing that any man can offer us that will lead to the promise of eternal life as eternal life is a gift from God that is based in truth. If we are led by the Holy Spirit, philosophies, flattering deceit, and worldly traditions will be of no value to us when compared to truth that leads to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:1-10
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

James writes that if we are wise and filled with knowledge, if we embrace truth, this will become manifest in how we present ourselves. We will do what God and Jesus Christ expect of us not from a sense of religious or moral superiority, but with meekness. If we are wise and filled with knowledge embracing truth, we will never leave what is truth or shade any portion of truth. Having truth will not cause us to be envious of others, nor will it lead us to be spiritually or mentally in conflict with others. Truth will lead us to do what is pure, peaceable, and gentle. Truth will lead us to make ourselves approachable. Truth will lead us to be merciful towards others as God and Jesus Christ have been merciful to us. Truth will lead us to spiritually grow and to do so without partiality and hypocrisy. Truth will lead us to righteousness and righteousness comes as we seek peace.

James 3:13-18
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

We must remember to walk in the spirit, to be led by the Holy Spirit. As we are led by the Holy Spirit, we are led by truth, and truth will cause us to avoid works of the flesh and to put great distance between who we are and those works of the flesh. Being led by the Holy Spirit, being led by truth, will cause us to spiritually grow.

Galatians 5:16-26
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

We are called at this time to be children of God and to be led by the Holy Spirit. We find ourselves living on a planet where too many oppose themselves by not doing what God would expect of them. Instead of embracing truth, they have embraced the lie. Having been called at this time and being led by the Holy Spirit, in a spirit of meekness, we embrace truth and live our lives so that those who have embraced the lie cannot find fault with us which would only give them an excuse in their minds to embrace the lie.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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