April 21, 2005
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
--Exodus 20:16
Several years ago, Time magazine came out with a feature article titled, “Is America Telling the Truth?” The article began with these three words: lies, lies, lies. They were right. We are living in a truth-decaying society, but you can prevent this decay from happening in your life.
A past survey stated that 66 percent of Americans believe that it is okay to tell a lie—and that’s just in America! We’re living in a time of situational ethics. It’s the mentality of “whatever works for you—do it.” If it means copping out on the truth or abandoning principles—so be it. Thirty-one percent of America’s only agreed with the statement: Honesty is always the best policy. And yet God says, “Thou shall not bear false witness.”
For the believer, the principle is clear. We are to tell ALL of the truth ALL of the time. Truth and trust is absolutely essential for every human relationship: working relationships, certainly marital, domestic relationships, husbands and wives, parents and children, and so on.
My children didn’t have a lot of rules growing up in our house. I didn’t want them just growing up on our list—I wanted them growing up on the principles of God’s Word. There were only two rules, and if they broke either one, they knew they were in big trouble. The first was to always show respect for God, for their parents, and for adults. And the second rule was to never tell a lie.
And this rule should apply to everyone because all interpersonal relationships are contingent upon trust. When you tell the truth, character is built. In God is truth; in Him is no shadow of turning. The Bible tells us that God cannot lie. Today, decide that you are going to be transparent and honest about everything in your life, and plant truth deep within your heart.
“IF YOU ABIDE IN MY WORD, YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES INDEED.
AND YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE.”
--JESUS CHRIST (JOHN 8:31-32)