Tell the Truth

As far back as I can remember, one of the earliest lessons we were taught as children was to tell the truth, even if it meant that we were going to have to face the music.

The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. Proverbs 12:22 NLT

So, riddle me this… When did it become not only unpopular but also considered a personal affront to tell the truth?

There’s a lot to be said of honesty, integrity – truth. I suppose a lot can be said about the lack thereof as well. A lot can be said regarding the notion of the conceal and conver that go along with the lack of honesty, integrity, truth… But I’d rather talk about the positive things.

I found myself, all too recently, in an ethical dilemma. Faced with standing for truth or turning a blind eye, participating in the cover and conceal.

No matter how hard we may try sometimes, we simply can’t un-know something. And once we know that something is wrong, dishonest, illegal, sin, etc… I don’t think we can, or should, sit idly or silently by, doing nothing, hoping and praying, that someone else will rise up and do or say something, because we’re too afraid, or because we feel like they didn’t hear/listen to us.

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. Ephesians 5:11‭-‬13 NIV

But, we must speak up. We must expose sin, wrongdoings, etc.. for what they are and shine the light of truth on them. The world would like us to believe that truth cannot/will not prevail. But, not so. The Word of God says otherwise. God wins.

All these social justice movements are using a variation of an MLK quote: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Some variations you may have heard include but are not limited to: Silence is violence; Silence is agreement; Silence is complicity…

Now, take the above quotes and apply them to our families, neighbors, siblings, parents, spouses, co-workers, supervisors, children, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, lawn guy, mail clerk, batista, etc… How many people do we encounter regularly, occasionally, sometimes, rarely.. Yet, in our silence, maybe, just maybe, we are in total violent agreement with their misinformed decisions to sin against God? Maybe, in our silence, we’re complicit in their decision to perform some illegal or immoral act. But, maybe we don’t want to hurt them, their feelings, our relationship? We make so many excuses..

As I mentioned earlier, I was faced with an ethical dilemma.. Like one of those ethical issues they ask you about in school, only this was real life. I thought, briefly to maintain silence. I even thought, after making a report that was disregarded, to just turn a blind eye. Then I remembered words of the wise from Proverbs 1 (I’m paraphrasing): …if sinful men entice us, we are not to just give in and… go along with them, neither are we to set our foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil…

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1 Corinthians 5:11‭, ‬13 KJV

*Original Image by Kaybee05