Nothing But the Truth

We live in a time when technology puts mountains of information literally at our fingertips. I hope you know that information does not equal truth. We even have a catchphrase nowadays called misinformation.

One of the ten commandments is “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16 NKJV). We often paraphrase this as, “Thou shalt not lie.” God hates a lie and will hold us accountable for lying as evidenced by scripture, “…and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8b NKJV). It is evident that God does not like lying.

I would venture to say that all humans have lied. I confess, I have lied. It is not something I am proud of but to say the truth, I must say I have lied. Since we have lied among other sins, we need the grace and forgiveness of Christ by receiving His forgiveness provided by faith in His death and resurrection.

An old friend who was frustrated with someone lying told me, “It is one thing to lie to get out of trouble but quite another thing to lie voluntarily.” He was not advocating this as a Christian principle but more of a commonsense homily. As children we probably lied to get out of trouble. When someone pushes a lie to deceive someone for personal gain, power, or control it seems more egregious

Propaganda is a ploy that tyrants through the ages have used to push their schemes. It will continue while this world continues, but the knowledge of its continuance does not lessen the pain. Propaganda is a lie masquerading as truth. The Bible says the devil is a liar and the father of the lie. When someone knowingly promotes a lie as truth, they are standing firmly in the devil’s shoes.

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (Words of Jesus, John 8:44 NKJV).

When a lie is proclaimed repeatedly with fervor, it is soon believed by gullible people. I would venture to say that a lie is easier propagated than the truth. Most lies feed the fleshly side of people and the truth is only welcomed by honest spirits among us. Lies are like tasty sweets to a wayward soul while the truth is not easily chewed by the carnal.

I have never read a scientific study on this next point but believe it from a life of observation. The truth must be repeated say 10-20 times to the 1 time a lie is repeated to counter the lie. My ratio may be off but the principle I believe to be true.

I have heard it said, “What is culturally acceptable does not make it is right [or true].” The belief of the majority does not make something true or right. God sets the standard and His standard will be the deciding factor in the end.

This is where I take my stand. I agree with the Apostle Paul, “…let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4b NKJV). I seek to know what God’s Word says and live my life according to the principles of it by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

You may remember the bumper sticker that read, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.” I understand the sentiment, but I do not agree with that statement. It should read, “God said it, and that settles it!” My agreement does not fortify God’s truth any more than someone’s disagreement nullifies it. God’s Word is the final word—PERIOD.

One thing I know for sure; a lie will bring a person or a people into bondage and the truth will bring them into liberty. Jesus said this about knowing the truth, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 NKJV). People often misquote this by saying, “the truth will set you free” which is incorrect. “You shall KNOW the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

I want to know the truth and live according to the truth even if it is uncomfortable and I find myself in a small remnant of people. I study the Bible every day. I read the Bible all the way through every year and the New Testament at least twice. Why? It is because I love and follow Jesus and I want to know what He knows and to hear what He says.

I don’t know everything, so I want to know and hear the One who knows everything.

Some would say, “There are no absolute truths.” My response, “Why do you declare that as an absolute truth if there are no absolute truths?” No human being knows the exact number of grains of sand but there is an absolute number at any given moment.

Jesus proclaimed this, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). If you want to stand on the sinking sand of a lie, I can’t stop you. If you change your mind, He has reserved a spot on the Rock of Truth if you just step over.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt