Teachings Scholar Odum  

Truth

Truth or being truthful is something of us constantly struggle with despite the fact that we know God’s Position regarding this. Proverbs 6:16-17 says, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.”

Some common ways Christians tell lies

These are some of the ways our being economical with the truth can be termed lying:

  1. The half-truth. This is simply you not telling the whole truth. The problem with this is that it leaves us conveying false impression. Abraham was guilty of half-truth when he said of Sarah, She’s my sister. Although, it was true that she was his half-sister; nevertheless, he concealed the fact that she was also his wife.
  2. The lie of omission. This tempts you to put up un-Christlike attitudes; such as keeping mute when a cashier gives you a higher amount as change. Or leaves an item off your bill. And you simply refuse to raise a finger to correct the situation.
  3. The exaggeration. Sometimes, we stretch the truth a bit to make ourselves look better or worse than we really are. 1 Peter 3:10 says, For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
  4. The white lies and the little untruths that supposedly don’t hurt anyone. A good example is when you could actually work, but because you have an engagement that’s really very important – you simply use a mild headache as an excuse to call in sick.

Some of the other actions that don’t portray truth

  • The lies to cover for someone. I’ve been in this position sometime ago. I was barely a month old in this job and my team’s assistant supervisor wanted to embark on a trip that same day. He wanted to cut corners and leave work early without permission. So right in the presence of the other team members, he asked if I could clock out for him with his I.D at the close of work. The man in question had always given me hard time since I resumed there until there. Therefore, one part of me wanted to do this so I would perhaps, be in his good book.

But I remembered the fact that I’m a Christian. So I smiled sweetly and simply said, no politely. I heard a gasp from one of my team members who was watching the scene. ut I was glad that I chose truth over lie that day. But the amazing part is this incidence is the fact that my relationship with him became far better when he eventually returned from his trip

  • The silent, evasive and polite lies, as well as the lie of hypocrisy. This is where we try to make others think that we are more spiritual than we really are. Just as Apostle Paul admonished the church in Ephesians 4:25. It says, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

Lastly, it’s important to understand that telling the truth should always come naturally to us as Christians. This is what distinguishes us as believers. And a people who are called forth out of darkness into his marvelous light. The dangerous part of us not telling the truth also, is that, our stand as Christians is compromised. The body of Christ is seen in a bad light. God doesn’t take the latter likely.

Also Read: Prayer