When Truth Is Unsuccessful

Originally published on January 23, 2019

By Allen Domelle

Isaiah 59:15

“Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.”

In verses 14-15, God shows that truth is unsuccessful. It was not unsuccessful because it wasn’t right, but it was unsuccessful because those who were to deliver it were failed to do their part with truth. God says in verse 14, “…truth is fallen in the street…” In the verse above it says, “truth faileth.” When truth falls, it means it came short of its purpose. When truth fails, it means it didn’t fulfill its expectations of what it was supposed to do.

What would cause truth to be unsuccessful? God shows us in verse 14 when He says, “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off…” In other words, when people choose not to make the right decisions, truth will fall. When people choose to go backwards instead of forwards, truth will become unsuccessful. According to the verse above, when people chose to live an evil lifestyle, truth will become unsuccessful.

In other words, the only time truth is unsuccessful to do what God intended for it to do is when His people choose not to follow or enforce truth. Yes, truth eventually wins out, but think of all the people that are hurt because someone chooses to go the wrong direction, or makes the wrong decision, or decides to continue living in sin. My friend, the only thing that keeps truth from being known to this generation is if you choose not to live and proclaim the truth. According to the verse above, three things are a result of truth being unsuccessful.

First, God is displeased when truth is unsuccessful. If anything should motivate you to tell the truth and live the truth, it should be to please God. You would think every believer would desire to please God with their life, and they can please Him if they choose to live in truth. Can you imagine displeasing the One who gave you life, saved your soul from Hell, and is there to help you with every step of your life? It should pain your heart that you would not please the LORD because you choose to live outside of truth.

Second, you become a prey to sin when truth is unsuccessful. If you choose to live outside of truth’s walls, you expose yourself to the devouring mouth of sin. You can’t live outside of truth’s walls and be safe from the attacks that Satan will throw at you. God will protect you as long as you stay within the confines of truth’s walls.

Third, your decision-maker gets broken when truth is unsuccessful. The verse above says, “…it displeased him that there was no judgment.” You will always find that those who choose not to live within the confines of truth’s walls will consistently make bad decisions. Many believers who live in sin wonder why their life continues to be one bad thing after another, and the quickest answer you can give is that they broke their decision-maker when they chose to live without God’s walls of truth. You can’t expect to make good decisions when you are living a life outside of God’s truth.

What is this truth? The truth is God’s Word. God’s Word commands the believer to live a holy life, and to live a life of faith. When you choose to go backwards, you are not living a life of faith. When you choose to live in the world, you are not living a holy life. You would be wise to live within the walls of God’s truth if you want truth to be successful in your life.

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