Tell The Truth
The ThinkProgress publication had an
article in the May 11, 2011 issue, which quoted the politician, Newt
Gingrich who said, “So let me say on the record, any ad which quotes
what I said on Sunday is a falsehood.” In the Washington Post
September 24, 2016 edition, Brandon
W. Lenoir, a High Point University professor
of political communications said that some voters are undeterred when their
candidate lies. “When new information comes in, if it is consistent with your
world view or your opinion of that particular candidate, you let it in; if it
is inconsistent, you block it out.”
While many will support and
enthusiastically applaud blatant dishonesty from potential leaders, the Bible
says that God detests lying (Proverbs 6:16, 17, 19). Further, God
identifies people who tell untruths with the source of lies, the devil (John
8:44). He says, moreover, they will not be in His house or even stand in
His presence if they practice deceit (Psalm 101:7).
In this political season where fact
checkers are needed to verify the veracity of every statement of our potential
leaders, the Lord God would rather we take a different route. He wants us
to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-15). Sometimes telling a lie
may be the easiest choice, may seemingly protect someone’s feelings, or
make us feel better. This week let us remember that the truth is
what God wants to hear from us and He wants us to be just like him.
Proverbs 6:16, 17, 19
New
International Version (NIV)
16 There are
six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying
tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
19 a false witness who pours out
lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community
John 8:44
New International Version (NIV)
New International Version (NIV)
44 You belong to your
father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a
murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth
in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar
and the father of lies.
Psalm 101:7
New International Version (NIV)
New International Version (NIV)
7 No one who practices
deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will
stand in my presence.
Ephesians 4:14-15
New International Version (NIV)
New International Version (NIV)
14 Then we will no longer be
infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every
wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful
scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.