A Look at Charles Spurgeon's "The Need of Decision for the Truth"

“The Need of Decision for the Truth” lecture by Charles Spurgeon illuminates the problem that ministries of his day did not think that there were absolutes in areas of morality. Spurgeon’s observation is chilling because this relative truth of right and wrong is seen in the modern church. He states “Your great thinkers evidently look upon the Scriptures as a box of letters for them to play with, and make what they like of, or a wizard’s bottle, out of which they may pour anything they choose, from atheism up to spiritualism.” Today’s pastors seem to need to have a new teaching, a passionate “truth” that has been hidden until now and makes doctrine bend to what sells for the minister.

Spurgeon further writes that our authority is based on the Bible and there should be no uncertainty or wavering. I find myself convicted when he states “’What would you wish us to say?’ Yes, and without apology, ‘Those are my views, but other people’s views may be correct.’” It is easy to begin a sermon with “I believe” when I should assert “The Bible says” instead. Spurgeon encourages this, that as preachers of the Gospel we not creating teaching to fit the times, but rather we should exhibit the confidence we have in the truth of God’s words in the Bible with sincerity.

In today’s Christian world we have mega-churches, apostles, charismatics, and many other groups that promote their own claims of revelations from God and new ideas on what is holy. In “The Need for the Decision for the Truth” what Spurgeon’s title refers to is that in face of this attack we need to hold on to the Gospel and live it out in our lives. He also states, “We must be ready to give up anything and everything for the sake of the principles which we have espoused,” and expect that the world and worldly churches will reject this idea. In face of this opposition Spurgeon writes that this will only strengthen our decision to follow the truth. These modern day churches adapting their beliefs to fit culture are the result of what Spurgeon said of his age which he called the “doubting age” where leaders in the church wanted to be popular and not make the sacrifices needed to live out the Truth in the Bible. The day to day living the truth of the Gospel will be what strengthens us and gives to us our witness to others.

Spurgeon’s call for decision is echoed by what we need in preaching in today’s church. Spurgeon states, “The age, therefore, can be impressed; it will receive what is taught by zealous men, whether it be truth or falsehood. It may be objected that falsehood will be received the more readily; that is just possible, but anything will be accepted by men if you will but preach it with tremendous energy and living earnestness.” Sermon’s today must stand unapologetically on the truth that comes from the Bible and not cater to the whims and fancies of the times.