On Distorting The Truth
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
Have we ever thought about how prone mankind is to lying? (Jeremiah 17:9; cf. Psalms 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) crumbles in on itself. This moral absolute is so self-evident, that even criminals punish their own who lie to them. 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 Hebrew 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 2:20-21; 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 to “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:18-19; cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-6).
Will we?
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