Truth vs. Lies: The Choice For Life Or Death, Blessing Or Curse

Symbols of truth: mirror, light, knowledge

What lies do we accept as truth? What lies do we tell ourselves? How are lies destroying our life, denying us joy, preventing us from being transformed? Above all, what lies erode our relationship with God to the end that we do not have the real life God intended but rather a living hell?

The lie of all lies is this: we are not loved. From this lie springs others: we are unworthy of love, love is unattainable, and I must disguise who I am so that others cannot see me for what I really am.

Brennan Manning’s passion is to dislodge us from these lies. He employs the profound and incomprehensible truth that we are furiously loved by God: where we are and where we’ve been.

Discover some of these truths in the selections that follow. For a simple and memorable way to live these truths, ponder these words from The Song of Solomon:

I AM MY BELOVED’S,
AND HIS DESIRE IS FOR ME.
(7:10 NASB)

THE TRUTH OF GOD’S LOVE

Brennan Manning, known for his heartfelt writings on God’s grace and unconditional love, often expressed profound truths about how deeply we are loved by God. Here are five powerful expressions from his books that encapsulate this message:

1. “God loves us as we are, not as we should be.”

Source: The Ragamuffin Gospel
This is perhaps Manning’s most famous declaration. He emphasizes that God’s love is not contingent on our performance or goodness. We are loved in our brokenness, imperfection, and failure.

2. “Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”

Source: Abba’s Child
Manning invites readers to let go of false identities built on fear, shame, or societal standards and instead rest in the only identity that matters—being God’s beloved.

3. “Jesus comes not for the super-spiritual but for the wobbly and weak-kneed who know they don’t have it all together and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace.”

Source: The Ragamuffin Gospel
Manning frames God’s love as a gift for the broken, the humble, and the honest—those who recognize their need and receive grace as the gift it is.

4. “For His love is never, never, never based on our performance, never conditioned by our moods—of elation or depression. The furious love of God knows no shadow of alteration or change. It is reliable. And always tender.”

Source: The Furious Longing of God
This quote underscores the unwavering and tender nature of God’s love, independent of our actions or emotional states.

5. “Each of us… is yet another promise [God] has made to the universe that he will continue to love it and care for it.”

Source: The Signature of Jesus
This poetic expression highlights the uniqueness of every individual as a testament to God’s ongoing love and commitment to creation.

TRUTHS ABOUT OURSELVES

Brennan Manning’s reflections on truth are deeply intertwined with his theology of grace, vulnerability, and the unconditional love of God. He often contrasts the harsh, performative standards of religious culture with the liberating truth of being deeply loved in our brokenness.

1. Truth begins with honesty about ourselves.

“In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others.”
Source: Abba’s Child

Manning teaches that truth is found not in perfection but in radical self-honesty. Owning our story, wounds and all, is essential to experiencing God’s grace and sharing it with others.

2. The truth is that we are loved as we are.

“The true self is the self that is free to accept the truth that I am unconditionally loved by God.”
Source: Abba’s Child

Manning repeatedly insists that the deepest truth of our identity is not our sin, shame, or success—but our belovedness. Accepting that truth is the key to living authentically and freely.

FINDING TRUTH

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT).

Ephesians 4:15 says in the Living Bible paraphrase, “We will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ.”

How do you know the truth? Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth” (GW).

The New Testament speaks extensively about truth, centering it in the person of Jesus, the Gospel message, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Here are the key themes and main Scripture references:

MESSAGES OF TRUTH

1. Jesus is the truth

Jesus doesn’t just teach truth—He embodies it.
• John 14:6 – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… full of grace and truth.”
• John 1:17 – “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Meaning: Truth is not just doctrinal accuracy—it’s personal, relational, and incarnate in Jesus.

2. The Gospel is the message of truth

The “truth” often refers to the Gospel—God’s plan of salvation through Christ.
• Ephesians 1:13 – “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation…”
• Colossians 1:5–6 – “…the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you…”
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10 – “…they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”

Meaning: The Gospel is the ultimate truth that brings salvation, hope, and life.

3. The Holy Spirit leads into all truth

Truth isn’t discovered only by reason—it is revealed and illuminated by the Spirit.
• John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
• John 15:26 – “…the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”

Meaning: The Holy Spirit helps us know, understand, and walk in the truth of Jesus.

4. Truth shapes Christian living

Truth is meant to be lived out, not just believed.
• Ephesians 4:15 – “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body…”
• Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…”
• 3 John 1:4 – “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Meaning: Truth forms the foundation for spiritual growth, relationships, and integrity.

5. Truth exposes and liberates

Truth brings freedom and light to what is hidden.
• John 8:31–32 – “If you hold to my teaching… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• 1 John 1:6–7 – “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”

Meaning: Truth isn’t just correct information—it’s a force that frees and transforms us.

A PARTING WORD: LIVE IN GOD’S TRUTH

Lies are false gods. Uncover these false gods in my book, “Destroy These False Gods: 101 False Gods to Destroy Before They Destroy You.” Download the free PDF, below. Or, if you prefer the Kindle version, find the book here.

(The title reference to life and death, blessing and curse comes from Deuteronomy 30:19. Though I have read Manning’s books and highlighted many passages, I used ChatGPT to quickly research and summarize Manning’s thoughts about truth and love and relevant Gospel passages. Image credit.