Truth or Dare
I can remember making a complete fool out of myself when I chose the dare rather than face an unknown question where I imagined having to tell the truth about which boy I liked or some similarly embarrassing fact I’d rather not say out loud. In a family bigger than The Brady Bunch, telling the truth was expected – necessary even to maintain some semblance of order.
It should be no surprise that truth is part of God’s order too. Truth not only sets us free, but describes Jesus and the Word of God.
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 (ESV)
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:17 (ESV)
Lying is not of God. In fact, God cannot lie.
…in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began… – Titus 1:2
We, on the other hand, can and do lie. We lie for so many reasons, all of which are nothing more than excuses – like making a fool out of ourselves – to avoid a truth we don’t want to say or have heard out loud.
“It isn’t that important,” you say. Then just tell the truth. This is the same as the argument that “its just a little white lie.” There is nothing white or holy about a lie. The lie makes even the least significant truth important because it tells the world a lot about you. It tells the world that the Truth that lives in you is less important than the lies of the world.
Equally misplaced is the argument that, it would hurt her feelings if I told her the truth. It might. I’m not going to suggest that the truth is painless because it can be painful. But so can the lie. It would hurt her feelings just as much to know you lied.
And still it is hard to tell the truth at all times. I find it easier when the issue “seems” important. Yet, still, I lie. I lie because it is easier to put myself in a situation where I would look foolish then to confirm that I actually am foolish. It is easier because that’s just what Satan does – provide easy ways out that seem insignificant individually, but, when piled up as a whole, build mountains between us and our spouses, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and, most importantly, God. It’s easier because we wouldn’t do it if we could see the mountain before us. We wouldn’t do it if Jesus physically stood before us. If we looked Truth in the eyes, we would not lie. We would see the irreparable harm in His wrists – His feet – that even the smallest lie caused.
And still, I know I will lie again. I will lie for all the right reasons and all the wrong ones. But I won’t give up because I know the Truth lives within me. If, just for today, I can just listen before I speak, I will see Truth, tell the truth, and glorify Him who is Truth.
If we can do that today, through His strength rather than our own, then maybe we can do it again tomorrow. Then the next day and the next. Then, one day, when we are face-to-face with the Truth, the Light and the Way, we will be glad we did. We will be glad that we chose truth over lies, God’s way over the world’s. It won’t be the easier way, but it will be better than making a fool out of myself before God.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Philippians 4:8
Very well said.
What a thought provoking post Niccol. It is our human nature to lie, not only tell lies but believe lies. I am so thankful that there is one thing that can never lie to us and that is His Word. It is not only the Truth, but it is the Way and the Life. Thanks for sharing with us this week. 🙂