“I am the way and the truth and the life…” John 14:6 “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Have you ever imagined living in a world in which telling the truth is not the common practice? In that world, you could never trust anything you have read or were told. You would have to find out everything for yourself, first-hand. You would have to invest enormous amount of your time and energy to find out the simplest matters.
What would happen if lying were the norm? Spouses would not be able to trust one another; leaders wouldn’t be credible; and the news would be meaningless. The world is lying to people every day. It is an accepted part of daily life, in politics, government, business, news, international relations, etc. The world is misleading people every day. Increasing numbers of people live their lives based on the horrible dictum, you can have your truth and I can have my truth. Everything, and I mean everything, depends on truth. That is why it is so critical to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
All these started with one lie: You shall not surely die. (Gen. 3:4)
But is truthfulness an outdated principle in our present time, or does it still have value? In this distorted world we live in, where we lie to others and they lie to us, what can we do?
To begin with, we have a choice as to where we want to take our character. Take our own mask off for a moment. Be real. Stop deceiving yourself and others. Lies will make you feel good for a moment or so, but they will eventually become a heavy burden. While everyone else is wearing masks, Christians need to show their real faces.
Face the truth, no matter how hard it is. Don’t live through lies. They seem freeing at the time, but in reality, little by little, they trap us until our own identity becomes a lie itself. The truth should not be told only when it’s convenient. Remember, BIG or small . . . any lie is still a lie. Furthermore, a lie repeated many times doesn’t change the truth. There’s no excuse for being untruthful. None. As someone once said, “The truth doesn’t cost anything, but a lie could cost you everything.”
We are made to live with integrity. Christ said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If Christ is Truth, then it follows that lying is moving away from Christ. Being truthful is following in God’s footsteps, for He cannot lie. If our goal is to become more Christ-like and God-centered, then truthfulness is non-negotiable.
Our attitude toward the truth determines the outcome of our lives. To reject and rebel against the truth of God results in darkness, folly, sin, judgment, and the never-ending wrath of God. Accepting and submitting to the truth of God is to see clearly, to know with certainty, and to find life ultimately. If we don’t love the truth, we resist God. But if we love the truth, we embrace God.
Most importantly, follow God, the very basis of truth. After all, He is the only one who can change our corrupted hearts to something pleasing and real.
Truth has no bias. Truth simply IS. It never changes or alters just to conform to us. It is what sets us free. Jesus embodies the very definition of truth. Every truth claim apart from Him is preposterous.