These 38 Bible verses about truth that are helping me find peace in this reality: my thoughts are not facts.
Peace of mind… This is the thing I have been searching for. How about you? But between never-ending anxiety, overwhelming PTSD, living in a difficult marriage, and raising a Special Needs child all compounded by living in the midst of our drama-filled world… Well, peace often feels elusive.
Can Bible Verses About Truth Bring Peace?
Here’s the starting point, there is one passage, one set of Bible verses about truth and honesty that inspired me to focus on thoughts in the first place. Philippians 4 is filled with so much advice about living at peace, specifically, living in the peace of God. In it, I learned that thoughts are not facts and have to be swapped.
That one verse is so jam-packed that I just had to dig deeper! Why?
If the Holy Spirit took the time to inspire so many specific words about peace and thinking, they must each have practical meanings! Right?
What Does The Bible Say About Peace?
Philippians 4:8-9 as well as other Bible verses about truth setting you free, tell us that peace has to do with your thoughts.
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NASB)
And then he tells us in verse 9:
“Those things, which you have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.“
Your thoughts matter! Your thoughts lead to peace or a lack of peace. For this woman, suffering through anxiety and PTSD, I need that reminder. How about you?
Read more about how to have peace of mind no matter what from last week as we began this series.
What Does The Bible Say About Truth?
So, to have peace, we need to focus on what we are thinking about. “Whatever is true,” is what we are to think about. Does the Bible say this anywhere else?
Jesus is Truth
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)
The Truth Will Set You Free: I love this Bible verses about truth setting you free!
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 ESV)
We Worship God in Truth
“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV)
The Truth is Spiritual Armor
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” (Ephesians 6:14 ESV)
Truth and love go together in these Bible verses about truth in love.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians 4:15 ESV)
I love these Bible verses about truth coming to light…
“(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Ephesians 5:9 ESV)
What Is A True Thought?
So we clearly see that truth is important in the life of a Christian. From Bible verses about truth being revealed (Romans 1:18) to Bible verses about seeking truth (Matthew 6:33), truth is all over the pages of Scripture.
But, what does it mean to think on whatever is true.
Philippians 4:8 asks, “Is this thought True?” The deeper meaning here could say, “Is this a fact?”
To know if your thoughts are true you will have to evaluate them objectively – no emotion allowed.
Learn how to use Bible verses about truth to get peace of mind. They help reinforce the truth that thoughts are not facts! Share on XAre You Emotional?
Tough.
I am an emotional Gal Y’all! Sometimes, I can’t tell if something is true, or if it is covered up in feelings so I need a second opinion.
Do you have someone you can turn to and bounce thoughts and ideas off? Someone not directly affected by the situation can look at it more clearly.
Thoughts are Not Facts
There are two things that shocked me as God began to drive His point home. I allow emotions to cloud my thinking WAY too often. And I then believe (and act on) what I obsessively think about that was way too emotional.
But… Thoughts are not facts.
Seems simple enough right? But it’s really not that simple!
We Believe What We Think
Did you know we actually believe what we think, hear and say? We believe ourselves, even if like me you know – KNOW – your thoughts are not facts.
It is crucial that our minds not linger on emotionally driven thoughts… ahem… partial truths.
Check out more about the Science behind the question, “Are thoughts and feelings facts?“:
- We Believe what we tell ourselves.
- Do Your Thoughts Matter
- If it hasn’t changed, there are some thoughts are not facts cbt ideas and some thoughts are not facts worksheet that are helpful.
Understanding and accepting that your thoughts are not facts are key steps in how to win the battle for your mind!
Why Are Thoughts Not Facts?
And just in case you are where I was when this truth began to sink it, let me answer the unspoken question.
Are thoughts true? Mine tended not to be. And when an issue is emotionally charged or touches a hot spot for me, they are not.
Why aren’t all of our thoughts facts, or at least maybe based on facts? Because we are emotional creatures. Because we have a real enemy who tempts us in just the right cracked place in our armor.
What percentage of our thoughts are untrue?
That is a great question. You will have to take them captive and hold them up to facts for a while to get a good handle on how often they are untrue.
How To Use Bible Verses About Truth to Reinforce That Thoughts Are Not Facts
The bottom line is this, I need to be sure I believe what is true in every situation.
To be honest, I know I don’t believe the truth all the time. I know it. Can you relate?
How do we fix this? It is just not enough to know the importance of truth in the Bible. We know that God is truth (John 14:6)… We know it, but still, our thoughts wander and emotions come in and feelings take over.
So to change the pattern we have to take drastic action.
Don’t Believe Everything You Think
Can I weed out the emotional partial truths I believe?
Yes, yes I can. But first, I have to question every single thought. I can’t believe anything that comes into my mind at first.
Instead, I take captive every thought, ask it if is fact or feeling and replace it with truth according to 2 Corinthians 10:4-6.
Drastic.
Pray About Every Thought
Someone once asked me the oddest question. What are the 5 truths in the Bible? Um… just 5? IDK
What I know for sure though, is this:
- God is with you always. (Genesis 26:24)
- He cares about you and your peace (1 Peter 5.6-7).
- The Lord will fight for you (Exodus 14:14).
- He is mighty, powerful and always victorious (Numbers 21:34 ).
- You can talk to Him about everything – inviting Him into the battle (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
I mean, there are way more truths, but those five help us in this battle. The battle for peace of mind, or to walk in the peace of God is serious business. You need Him on your side in this.
So I take every thought captive, and I pray through each one. I ask God to shine His light on the lies, then I push them out. I also often need HIS help to show me true things to think about.
Verify News Before You Act
Bear with me as I step up onto a soapbox you didn’t know I had tucked away…
We have got to verify facts from newsfeeds before believing them or sharing them or condemning others with them.
It is more and more common for the news to not be reliable. Don’t believe everything you hear (1 John 4:1)
This is an area that robs me of peace and stokes my anxiety. So, I habitually find both sides and see where facts line up so that I can toss out the opinions… Seriously, I am an intelligent woman and when given the real facts I can form my own opinion – Thank you very much!
The Bible tells us we can only expect this to get worse so we must learn to find the truth and avoid sensationalism.
Think Scripture to Think About Whatever is True
But what If, even then, I can’t think of a true thing (like when emotions cloud my mind)?
I think scripture! I actually have scripture taped up all over my house to help me! These would be Bible verses about truth and love, Bible verses about truth and justice (Micah 6:8) and Scripture that applies to specific struggles I face.
Why tape the Bible verses about truth and lies (Proverbs 6:16-19) up around the house? Life is busy and my mind is mostly fleshly. But then, in a moment of weakness, there is a reminder to think Scripture and keep fighting the battle!
This is how we meditate on the Word (Joshua 1:8 & Psalm 119:15)
Avoid Extreme Thoughts
My mind always believes the extremes, like “he always does…” or “he never does…” Thinking about whatever is true in marriage especially is hard.
- Always and never are not true thoughts. Period
I need to be careful to think about things that are true rather than emotional in this relationship especially. It’s easy to let the emotion escalate when we love and feel hurt.
Forgiveness is important to be sure our thoughts are godly and true (Ephesians 4:32).
Related Post: What Is Forgiveness and Why Is It Important?
Let Each Offense Stand Alone
When I forgive others regularly, I refuse to keep a running log of their offenses (1 Corinthians 13). This is where my emotion can get in the way. If, when my husband hurts me, there is a log that starts filling my mind I have to pray and ask God to help me forgive the past hurts.
Staying current with forgiveness helps bring peace. This way, each offense stands alone.
Instead of reacting to hurt with, “You always…” I then am able to respond with, “What you just did hurt me because…”
The conversation, difficult though it may be, goes so much better when we are working through one issue rather than re-hashing a lot of hurts.
Related Post: Can You Reclaim Hope & Joy in Marriage After Betrayal?
Scripture Affirmation To Help You Win The Battle
Of all the Bible verses about truth telling, truth in love, and all the rest, these are my favorites. They speak to specific struggles I am walking through in this season.
When I read them I am reminded that truth matters… but more so, God is truth, meaning His truth is higher than any other thought I might have!
Here are a few Scripture Affirmations that I cling to and the Bible verses that go with them.
Related Post: 13 Powerful Ways to Show 1 Corinthians 13 Love in Marriage
Truth About Myself
I am a Loved Child of God
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1 NASB)
I am Chosen by God – (a royal princess)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB)
Truth About God
God will Never Leave me or Forsake me
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV)
Nothing is impossible with God
“Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NASB)
Truth About Others
I Can Love Others As God Loves Me
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34 ESV)
I Can Think Well of Others
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 NASB)
Truth in Politics
I Can Trust That God is in Control and be Discerning
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited
Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;
Avoid such men as these.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB)
Thoughts Are Not Facts: Which of These Verses About Truth Will You Use In The Battle?
It is a shocking thing to have to repeatedly remind myself about. Thoughts are not facts, thoughts and feelings are not facts. In order to think about whatever is true, I must focus on facts.
Which of these Bible verses about truth or Christian affirmations, will you use to help fight this battle for your peace of mind?
in HIM,
Tiffany of Hope Joy in Christ inspires Christian Women to grow in faith, live out Biblical Marriage Principles and raise Godly Children. Join the Wives Only Facebook Group here or keep up with her through Pinterest.
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Definitely saving these! I keep a small black book in my purse of random scriptures that help me get things back into perspective on the rough days. Love it ????
So glad they blessed you Ishah! I know, I keep a list with me too. Love that we have that in common!
I am so encouraged by these verses. I shared this post on Pinterest. I loved Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Thank you for the encouragement.
Oh, that’s a great one Mary! Thanks for sharing!