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Truth Is The Most Powerful Thing On Earth Because It Is The Only Thing
That Cannot Be Changed! Telling the truth is without question a primary
biblical principle. Many of the ills of modern society are the result of careless handling or
deliberate mishandling of truth. Being able
to trust the truthfulness of family members, friends, and work associates is essential to wholesome interpersonal relationships. The world of finance and judicial process
is so aware of the importance of truthfulness that it requires many agreements to be in
writing primarily so there can be no deceitfulness or misunderstanding. Yet God expects the word and promises of His
children to be truthful in all respects, even without a legal document to substantiate our spoken promise. What is truth? Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, asked the question two millennia ago. The question is still
being asked today. Some ask the question sarcastically, seeking to prove there are no absolute standards of truth. But personal integrity demands
we look for a serious answer
to the question. Is truth a specific
fact that can be proved? Is anything that works, or solves a problem, the truth? Is truth something different for every person? Or is truth something true even if
no one believes it? Truth is not relative. It does not vary from person to person or from situation
to situation. As Christians, we must search for the truth that is universal, stand up for it even when the contemporary culture disputes it, and defend it ''in love" Eph 4:15. With so many voices
in the world claiming to have discovered the truth. many are deceived into following
counterfeit teaching. The only truth that can be trusted explicitly is the truth declared by the Creator of all things and recorded for us in His rulebook for faith and conduct. The Bible. Bible truth is both personal and practical.
It calls on us to live the truth as well as to speak it. What you are is Reveled by what you Do. What you Do Revels
what you Really Believe! Bible truth is moral as well as factual.All around us are deceit and falsehood. In
advertising, politics, relationships, business and commerce, and even in personal living
we see hypocrisy and outright determination to be dishonest and untruthful. Hypocrisy presents an outward appearance
of truth and forthrightness but masks hidden wickedness and abuse of the truth. It
is hypocrisy to pretend concern for the welfare of others when the performance is to
gain applause and human recognition.
It is hypocrisy to feign devotion to God and righteousness when selfish acts and evil habits rule the heart in secret.
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Honesty is a matter of truth
and truthful behavior.
Openness or forthrightness volunteers truth
even when it is not to the advantage of the speaker. Keeping a promise or pledge is an act of honesty: breaking a promise strips one of a reputation
for honesty and truthfulness. Intellectual honesty is openness to
all truth even to that which may contradict deeply held personal opinions. Sincerity
is honesty in expressing oneself; Jesus described Nathanael as "an
Israelite, in whom there is nothing
false" John 1:47. A person can be truthful in a superficial way without being an honest person. The truly
honest person "rejoices with the truth” Cor. 13:6 and is angered and saddened at falsehood and hypocrisy. Fraud sounds like a dishonesty that would be found only in the
world. But if the apostle Paul had to admonish believers to avoid the sin in his day, we must be doubly careful to do what
is right and honest in our dealings with fellow believers. The unity of the church
demands it. "The very fact that you have
lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated (or defrauded)? Instead, you yourselves
cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers" 1 Cor. 6:7,8. Look closely at the words of Jesus to the rich young man recorded in Mark
10:19: "You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal,
do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" Mixed in with the fifth,
sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth commandments is "do not defraud." That
would include an intentional falsehood in order to take advantage of another person. Each person who calls themselves a “Follower” of Christ should be able to say with Paul, “Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited
no one.” 2 Cor. 7:2 Christians are called to model, both in word and in practice, Truth that reflects the very
character of God.
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