Dare to Tell the Truth!
A Look at Truth…..
Many years ago when I was a child, I played Truth or Dare with my friends. A lie wasn’t permitted in this game, and our bluff was soon called if someone tried to lie. After a google search, I see that our innocent game goes beyond the boundaries we had in the 1940’s
My Mother caught me in a lie. There were consequences. I thought by telling her I had practiced the piano for an hour after school I would escape the hour of practice. Mom soon came outside and asked, “Why are my music books on top of yours on the piano?” I didn’t have an answer.
We live in an Age of Deceit in our Information Age. With so much knowledge available, we indulge in all manner of deceit. We look at each deceit as a triumph instead of shame.
Gone are the days when a handshake or a man’s word is his bond. Why? Because Truth is not recognized or honored.
Why is it that truth is so elusive in this age? With cynicism and doubt now, we no longer trust the words of others without close scrutiny. No longer can we believe contracts because of the ‘fine print’ that is hidden on the bottom of the agreement. The ‘loop holes’ in legal documents are celebrated for escaping financial responsibility.
Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. — Vincent De Paul
Another form of lying is Self-Deception that can happen so easily, when we view our world and ourselves through the world’s eyes. A realistic view of our failings and gifts are often hidden in self-deception. The word Realistic would be expressing an awareness of things as they really are. My Dad often said that, ‘where we live’ is the true measure of self. He meant that when we look in the mirror, do we see the reality of the inner self or what we wish the world to see? Do we measure ourselves by the acceptance of our Lord, or the world?
This is not a a new phenomenon for just this age. In the days of Jeremiah, he said, Therefore say to them, ‘This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips. Jeremiah 7:28
Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning. Jeremiah 9:5
Names for lies are multi-syllabic, and deadly not only to our nation but also individually. Prevarication, tall story, vilification, white lie, whopper, falsehood, falseness, falsification, falsity, fib, fiction, forgery, fraudulence, guile, hyperbole, inaccuracy, invention, libel, misrepresentation, misstatement, myth, perjury, misstate, misrepresentation. I remember the phrase one comedian used to escape reality and responsibility – “The devil made me do it.” It was always accompanied by laughter to lighten the overt message.
For a 3 letter word, ‘lie’,many letters are needed to camouflage, to obfuscate or confuse.
The truth is “hate speech” only to those who have something to hide, said Michael Rivero.
There are laws against ‘hate’ crimes, but goodness must come from the heart filled with love for others and love for truth.
Greed – it has been said in any situation, to follow the money. This will uncover lies. The art of persuasion and debate covers the intent of greed. How often are ‘get-rich quick’ schemes laid to greed whose foundation is a lie. This greed consumes not only the perpetrator but also the victim, who simply wants something for nothing. Both usually receive just that – nothing.
The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth is a phrase used in the courtroom. History of The phrase “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” is believed to have initially been coined in Old English, and to have become a staple of English trials by approximately the 13th century. Further back the oath began in the Roman Empire.
We are asked, You do affirm that all the testimony you are about to give in the case now before the court will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; this you do affirm under the pains and penalties of perjury?
Witnesses of non-Judeo-Christian faiths can also ask to substitute an alternate text for the Bible. And atheists can ask to affirm atop a plain black book. (From Ask.com)
The skin of truth stretched over a lie is duplicitous speech. We often see sophistication as a positive attribute in our culture. The ‘smooth’ speaker or socially adept reaches fame and fortune. This is simply another side of a lie – deceit. Sophistication is deceit..
A Chinese proverb says – there are three truths – one is my truth, one is your truth and one is THE truth.
What IS truth? Truth is Jesus Christ. There are still pockets of our country where trust and truth are supreme. Integrity is expected to the point that houses are not locked and the keys stay in the ignition of the car. A small village of people who honor God.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Questions came to mind as I contemplated the meaning of Truth.
I wonder about the truth about truth. What is it? • Is truth truth when it comes through the perception of others? • Can truth be bent and distorted and still be labeled as truth? • Are there groups of people who think that not telling the truth is a way of life or in the name of business? • Is the shadow of truth still truth? • Can truth be truth in name only? And what would that be? • Does fear paint truth a different color? • Why do we swear on a Bible to tell the truth in a court room?
Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” John 8:31-32
We have talked about what truth is not, what is Truth? Dictionary says Truth is the the state or character of being true. Reality. Actuality or actual existence. Synonyms include – accurate, authentic, correct, dependable, factual, genuine, honest.
Always tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember what you said.–Mark Twain.
Another foray of my youth into the world of deception was the day I overstayed my time at Betty Creech’s house after school. Betty coached me in a lie. My Dad believed it and I giggled. Dad asked me what was so funny.
I replied, “Betty told me that you would believe it.”
Consequences followed. I learned that wilful deception is not tolerated by my Dad OR God.
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior. Titus 1:1-3