According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “truth” means sincerity in action, character, and utterance.
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, beginning in Verse 31 … Jesus is quoted as saying:
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
“I tell you the truth!” If our count is correct, Jesus is quoted in the four Gospels as using that phrase 78 times. Obviously, He wanted it to be clear that He spoke and taught the truth … and that being truthful is important.
In Psalm 15:2 it is written:
He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart.
Do you know anyone that can be described in that way? Have you ever thought of yourself in that manner? Has there ever been a politician who could make that claim?
Honesty . . .
Mark Twain said it: “If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”
Have you ever been caught in telling an untruth? Have you ever been unfairly hurt or punished because you told the truth?
How about a time when you were not truthful in stating a situation or happening or answering a question … and the outcome would have been far better if you had simply been factual in your response?
Do you believe there’s less honesty in the world today than in years past? Do you find that when an error is discovered or something goes awry or is damaged, no one wants to step up to the plate and accept responsibility?
Why are we afraid or unwilling to be honest and accept responsibility for our own actions? Is it out of fear or embarrassment? Does being honest no longer pay, even in the long run?
“Little White Lies” . . .
According to the website Answers.com, a “white lie” is a lie that is harmless … something that won’t affect the outcome of something. From a website named Blurtit.com, comes this defining of a “white lie” … “A minor, polite, or harmless lie, a fib. A white lie can be excused because it does not cause great harm.”
Therefore … based on what we are instructed by the Scriptures … is it a sin for a Christian to tell a white lie? Would Jesus see any difference between telling a “little white lie” and simply not telling the truth?
“One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.” ~Mark Twain
Your Response . . .
I’ve posed many questions here … not because I feel you are in any way guilty and I’m not. After reading an article this past week that mentioned “truth” … all of this was brought to my mind, and they are all questions that I would like to have your views on … so won’t you please send them? After all, it’s been 2,000 years since Jesus was on earth and expressed His views … we’re living in a different world today. Does that make a difference in how we should act and live?
If you are reading this on the enLighten website, click on the Send A Message button at the top of this page to reply. If reading on Facebook, simply click on Comment and write. I do look forward to hearing from many of you!
Marlin
