--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As much as we can, let's defend the truth…" description: "\"As much as we can, let's defend the truth by pointing to what the apostles taught, and let's call out sin by pointing to the inconsistencies between wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/john-piper-255_apostles_as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth_822116.jpg" --- # As much as we can, let's defend the truth by pointing to… ![“As much as we can, let's defend the truth by pointing to what the apostles taught, and let's call out sin by pointing to the inconsistencies between what we say we believe and what we do.” quote by John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/john-piper-255_apostles_as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth_822116.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/john-piper-255_apostles_as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth_822116.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/john-piper-255_apostles_as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth_822116.jpg) > “As much as we can, let's defend the truth by pointing to what the apostles taught, and let's call out sin by pointing to the inconsistencies between what we say we believe and what we do.” [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Integrity requires aligning actions with professed beliefs, exposing hypocrisy. **In simple terms:** Live consistently with your stated values. Key Takeaway Check that your deeds match your words. Themes integrity faith hypocrisy Mood serious contemplative Type theological ethical When to use this quote - church leadership - personal relationships - public speaking Key Concepts theology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What inconsistencies exist in your life? - How can you gently point out others' hypocrisy? A Different Perspective People may resist criticism; confronting sin can cause division. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apostles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apostles/) [Apostles Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apostles-taught-258264/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Between](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/between/) [Call](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/call/) [Defend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend/) [Defend Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend-truth-481721/) [Inconsistencies Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inconsistencies-say-481724/) [Much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/much/) [Out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/out/) [Pointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointing/) [Pointing Apostles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pointing-apostles-481723/) [Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) [Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taught/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Pointing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-pointing-481722/) ## Related quotes > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) [Daniel K Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-k-judd/) > [But Christ's lore and his apostles twelve, He taught and first he followed it himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-chaucer/but-christ-s-lore-and-his-apostles-twelve-he-taught-and-first-he/) [Geoffrey Chaucer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-chaucer/) > [“No one can withhold truth except from himself. yet God will not refuse you the Answer He gave, Ask, then, for what is yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-course-in-miracles/no-one-can-withhold-truth-except-from-himself-yet-god-will-not-refuse/) [A Course in Miracles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-course-in-miracles/) > [“It is obvious that the concept of truth has become suspect. Of course it is correct that is has been much abused. Intolerance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/it-is-obvious-that-the-concept-of-truth-has-become-suspect-of-course/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Parents must have the courage to say no, to defend truth, and to bear powerful testimony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-l-cook/parents-must-have-the-courage-to-say-no-to-defend-truth-and-to-bear/) [Quentin L. Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-l-cook/) > [We know the truth of the restored gospel. Are we ready to defend that truth? We need to live it; we need to share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neill-f-marriott/we-know-the-truth-of-the-restored-gospel-are-we-ready-to-defend-that/) [Neill F. Marriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neill-f-marriott/) > [Man has no nobler function than to defend the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-mckenney/man-has-no-nobler-function-than-to-defend-the-truth/) [Ruth McKenney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-mckenney/) > [You defend the truth no matter what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anibal-acevedo-vila/you-defend-the-truth-no-matter-what/) [Anibal Acevedo Vila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anibal-acevedo-vila/) > [As reporters, we not only deliver the news of the day. We must also defend the truth. And just because we are pro-truth doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-acosta/as-reporters-we-not-only-deliver-the-news-of-the-day-we-must-also/) [Jim Acosta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-acosta/) > [Truth is treasurer.You have not to defend it.Truth always defends itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/truth-is-treasurer-you-have-not-to-defend-it-truth-always-defends/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [I wanted my players to always be searching, especially for truth. I wanted them to know what they believed and be able to defend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/i-wanted-my-players-to-always-be-searching-especially-for-truth-i/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Isn't it ironic that today people say, 'If you know the love of God, you don't have to worry when you go on in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/isn-t-it-ironic-that-today-people-say-if-you-know-the-love-of-god-you/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [If God's love for his children is to be measured by our health, wealth, and comfort in this life, God hated the apostle Paul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/if-god-s-love-for-his-children-is-to-be-measured-by-our-health-wealth/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Amidst the flood of dangerous reading, I plead for my Master's book; I call upon you not to forget the book of the soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/amidst-the-flood-of-dangerous-reading-i-plead-for-my-master-s-book-i/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [As a Fundamentalist I had discovered while I was in college that it is possible to dismiss the entire Church as having gone off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-howard-3rd-duke-of-norfolk/as-a-fundamentalist-i-had-discovered-while-i-was-in-college-that-it/) [Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-howard-3rd-duke-of-norfolk/) ## More by John Piper > [“Even in the miserable guilt we feel over our beastlike insensitivity, the glory of God shines. If God were not gloriously desirable, why would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/even-in-the-miserable-guilt-we-feel-over-our-beastlike-insensitivity/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“The Spirit inspired the Word and therefore He goes where the Word goes. The more of God's Word you know and love, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-spirit-inspired-the-word-and-therefore-he-goes-where-the-word/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Do you feel loved by God because you believe he makes much of you, or because you believe he frees you and empowers you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/do-you-feel-loved-by-god-because-you-believe-he-makes-much-of-you-or/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/worship-is-missions-exists-because-worship-doesn-t-worship-is/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/what-is-sin-it-is-the-glory-of-god-not-honored-the-holiness-of-god/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Love is doing what will enthrall the beloved with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the beloved this way is the glory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/love-is-doing-what-will-enthrall-the-beloved-with-the-greatest-and/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“If you hold a grudge, you doubt the Judge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/if-you-hold-a-grudge-you-doubt-the-judge/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Evangelicals are distraught over the state of America because they have not been taught that we're aliens here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/evangelicals-are-distraught-over-the-state-of-america-because-they/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“Worship is the highest moral act a human can perform, so the only basis and motivation for it that many people can conceive is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/worship-is-the-highest-moral-act-a-human-can-perform-so-the-only/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Do you love the cross because it makes much of you? Or do you love it because it enables you to enjoy and eternity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/do-you-love-the-cross-because-it-makes-much-of-you-or-do-you-love-it/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“job 14:1 man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of troubles "If that isn't your experience now it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/job-14-1-man-who-is-born-of-a-woman-is-few-of-days-and-full-of/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“Not to aim to show God is not to love, bc God is what we need the most deeply. And to have all else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/not-to-aim-to-show-god-is-not-to-love-bc-god-is-what-we-need-the-most/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [God has given us prayer as a wartime walkie-talkie so that we can call headquarters for everything we need as the kingdom of Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/god-has-given-us-prayer-as-a-wartime-walkie-talkie-so-that-we-can/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Ignatius, when he heard the clock strike, would say, "Now I have another hour to answer for." (Eph. 5:16)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/ignatius-when-he-heard-the-clock-strike-would-say-now-i-have-another/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) [Explore all 803 John Piper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) ## More Apostles quotes > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) [Daniel K Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-k-judd/) > [As a Fundamentalist I had discovered while I was in college that it is possible to dismiss the entire Church as having gone off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-howard-3rd-duke-of-norfolk/as-a-fundamentalist-i-had-discovered-while-i-was-in-college-that-it/) [Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-howard-3rd-duke-of-norfolk/) > [Amidst the flood of dangerous reading, I plead for my Master's book; I call upon you not to forget the book of the soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/amidst-the-flood-of-dangerous-reading-i-plead-for-my-master-s-book-i/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/when-we-look-at-the-love-of-christ-we-make-a-wonderful-discovery-love/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“I argue that the Jesus of the Gospels is essentially a myth. The Gospels are largely fiction. They were created around the turn of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvar-elleg-rd/i-argue-that-the-jesus-of-the-gospels-is-essentially-a-myth-the/) [Alvar Ellegård](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvar-elleg-rd/) > [the Republicans love to say that the Democratic Party is ruled by 'special interests.' But when pressed to name these 'special interests,' the usual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-ferraro/the-republicans-love-to-say-that-the-democratic-party-is-ruled-by/) [Geraldine Ferraro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-ferraro/) > [The Apostle John said, " Beloved, now we are the sons of God." He didn't say by and by we are going to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/the-apostle-john-said-beloved-now-we-are-the-sons-of-god-he-didn-t/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [The first duty of a Christian, of a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, is to deny himself. To deny oneself means to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innocent-of-alaska/the-first-duty-of-a-christian-of-a-disciple-and-follower-of-jesus/) [Innocent of Alaska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innocent-of-alaska/) > [The gifts that Yeshua left in the earth realm to enforce His authority were apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists. The gift that gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-pierce/the-gifts-that-yeshua-left-in-the-earth-realm-to-enforce-his/) [Chuck Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-pierce/) > [... faithfully and strenuously you should resist the heretics in defense of the only true and life-giving faith, which the Church has received -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-clement-i/faithfully-and-strenuously-you-should-resist-the-heretics-in-defense/) [Pope Clement I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-clement-i/) > [ Listen to these words of \[apostle\] Paul: "We war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, and the rulers of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/listen-to-these-words-of-apostle-paul-we-war-not-against-flesh-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [Our Lord Jesus Christ, a little before his departure, commissioned his apostles to Go, and teach all nations; or, as another evangelist expresses it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/our-lord-jesus-christ-a-little-before-his-departure-commissioned-his/) [William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/) > [What cursed spirit of falsehood moveth priests to close themselves within stone walls for all their life, since Christ commanded all his apostles and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wycliffe/what-cursed-spirit-of-falsehood-moveth-priests-to-close-themselves/) [John Wycliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wycliffe/) > [...it is proper that the duty of helping the poor and unfortunate should especially stir Catholics, since they are members of the Mystical Body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxii/it-is-proper-that-the-duty-of-helping-the-poor-and-unfortunate-should/) [Pope John XXII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxii/) > [“The Ancient Church Fathers, including disciples of the twelve apostles, were firmly premillennial, pretribulational, and very pro-Israel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-johnson/the-ancient-church-fathers-including-disciples-of-the-twelve-apostles/) [Ken Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-johnson/) [Browse all 366 Apostles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apostles/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As much as we can, let's defend the truth by pointing to what the apostles taught, and let's call out sin by pointing to the inconsistencies between what we say we believe and what we do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Piper" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth-by-pointing-to-what-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Apostles" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth-by-pointing-to-what-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/john-piper-255_apostles_as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth_822116.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/john-piper-255_apostles_as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth_822116.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/john-piper-255_apostles_as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth_822116.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As much as we can, let's defend the truth by pointing to what the apostles taught, and let's call out sin by…” — John Piper", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Piper", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As much as we can, let's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth-by-pointing-to-what-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/as-much-as-we-can-let-s-defend-the-truth-by-pointing-to-what-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```