On Distorting The Truth

Have we ever thought about how prone mankind is to lying? (Jeremiah 17:9; cf. Psalm 109:2). With a stroke of an exaggeration here, an omitted detail there, or a misleading silence, we tend to distort the truth, do we not? And yet, truth is the foundation and superstructure of all relationships. If we remove the girders of truth, our society (or any society) soon crumbles in on itself. This moral absolute is so self-evident, that even criminals punish their own who lie to them (see here).

Yes, there's honor, even among thieves! The ninth commandment forbids purposeful deceit against our neighbor and underscores the sacredness of truth in all our dealings. The two Hebrews words used for "false" in Exodus 20:16 and Deuteronomy 5:20, mean "untrue" and "insincere."

Thus, any expression of insincerity and untruthfulness, is bearing false witness against our neighbor. This commandment also exposes two underlying motives that God hates malice and pride (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; Proverbs 6:16-17). When we lie, it is usually to cast a person in a bad light or to place ourselves in a good light — the first springs from malice, the second from pride.

Jesus tells us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The closer we pattern our lives after Him (1 John 2:6; cf. 1 Peter 20:21; Gal. 2:20), the more truthful we will become with ourselves and with others not distorting the truth. The question is, "Are we followers of Him who is the truth?"

Just as Jesus admonished His disciples in the first century, He still admonishes us today in the 21st century to "follow me" (Matthew 4:18-19; cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-6).

The question is, "Will we?"

Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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