Tell the Truth

Dear Friends,

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord. Zechariah 8:14-17 NIV

Last week, I was deeply moved to ponder the impact of lies on our lives and the lives of others. Our current White House administration has made “alternative facts” a thing. I came across a blog a few weeks ago that seemed to question the harm in lying, implying that lying is natural. I scrolled on without finishing the piece at the time as it had struck a negative chord with me from the beginning. Is ours a culture of lies? One of the first books I was required to read in seminary was Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre. The book was used to prepare future pastors, preachers, and teachers to focus more explicitly, intentionally, and caringly on our written and spoken words; to notice not only what is included but what is excluded, for instance.

Jesus declares in John 14 that he is the way and the truth and life, and that no one comes to the Father except through him! Later in the text, we find one of Jesus’ promises to bring us into the fold.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NIV

Especially today, we may live in a culture of both covert and overt lies. But let us not contribute to the life of that culture. Let us instead embrace the Spirit of truth who lives with us and in us.

…and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NIV