These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts. Zechariah 8:16

Jonathan was always having fun with his coworkers in the shop where they sold shoes. But he was taken aback at how quickly his friends lied about why they needed the day off or why they were late to work. One day, Jonathan was late. When he finally arrived, he didn’t make up a story, he just admitted that he’d been watching TV and lost track of time. He was reprimanded, but he set an example of truth-telling for his friends.

Some lies are more sinister. They may start as an exaggeration or a guess, but deliberately misleading people is a rampant issue in both mainstream and Christian culture. Real people suffer as a result of financial, psychological, and emotional fraud. That’s why the Bible book of Luke cautioned that it would be better to tie a rock around your neck and jump into water than to mislead the innocent (Luke 17:2). Satan is the chief liar because his constant work is to distort God’s truth.

Truth telling is a way that we, as the people of God, push back against evil. Telling the truth is a refreshing witness and seeking truth is a way in which we shine light wherever there is darkness. Let’s be zealous about the truth, but also gentle. If Jonathan had tattle-taled on his friends in the shoe shop when they lied, he may have caused more harm than good. Instead, he took personal responsibility for his own actions and was a witness for truth in doing so.

 

Resource reading: 3 John 1:1-14