Unity

Is It True Or Not?

Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened. - Winston Churchill

What the Bible Says About Truth

Truth is so important in the Bible that it is emphasized hundreds of times. The Bible claims to be true throughout and that all G-d has said is true.  The Bible also claims that the gospel (good news) of Yeshua Ha'Meshiach (Jesus Christ) is true and the way of salvation. Any prophecy that is made in the name of the Lord is to be tested for truth  so that one knows whether a prophet speaks for G-d or not.

Truth stood on one side and Ease on the other; it has often been so.  -Theodore Parker

G-d's truthfulness

One of the most often described attribute of G-d is His truthfulness.  In fact, G-d is called the "G-d of truth."  Since the G-d of Christianity is described as a Trinity consisting of three persons, all members share the same attributes. Therefore, not only G-d the Father, but G-d the Son  (Yeshua Ha'Meshiach [Jesus Christ]) and G-d the Holy Spirit  represent truth. In fact, Yeshua said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." The Holy Spirit is also known as the "Spirit of truth" So, after love, G-d's most often described attribute is that He represents truth.

G-d's instructions on truthfulness

The Bible says that G-d desires truth in our innermost being  and that he "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" We are told that we should serve G-d in truth and worship Him in spirit and truth.  Our prayers are to be presented in sincerity and truth.  We are to select our leaders on the basis of their truthfulness,  and their judgments are to be based upon the truth. In fact, no person was to be convicted of a capital crime on the basis of one witness, but at least two were required,  to minimize the possibility of a false conviction.

Individuals are implored to speak the truth at all times,  and are commended for doing so. We are instructed not to lie, and lying is strongly condemned. Testifying falsely against another person is specifically prohibited in the Ten Commandments,  and is punishable with the same punishment the accused would have received (including falsely testifying in a capital crime). Evil and unrighteous people oppose the truth and will not even receive it. A lack of truth leads to evil and injustice.  G-d will punish those who suppress the truth, and lying is one of the sins that keeps one out of heaven,  since it is the "City of Truth".


How The Christian Treats Truth

The Bible says that those who practice the truth will come to the Light of Yeshua to be saved, and that the truth of following Yeshua's teaching will set one free from sin.  One who receives Yeshua becomes a new creation, established in truth in the likeness of G-d. The Christian puts on spiritual "armor," which includes the belt of truth.  The Christian is to "buy truth," "love truth," and rejoice in the truth."  The Christian is to be established in the truth,  to love in truth and deed (not just lip service),  and correct those who stray from the truth.  The Christian is to think deeply about things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and worthy of praise.  The Christian church is to be the "pillar of the truth." When surveyed about the importance of honesty, more theists rated honesty as "very important" compared to atheists.

Is it ever alright to lie?

From all the preceding Bible verses, it would seem that lying would never be acceptable. However, this is not necessarily correct, since there are times that telling the truth would actually facilitate the exercise of evil. A good example of this principle occurred during World War II, when Christians hid Jews and lied to the occupying authorities to prevent their deaths. A biblical example occurred when Rahab the prostitute hid the Jewish scouts on her roof and lied to the king of Jericho to protect their lives.  Because of this act, her life was spared and she was counted as one of the people of faith in the New Testament book of Hebrews.  So, lying is okay only when not doing so would jeopardize innocent life.

What about Christians who lie?

It often seems that Christian leaders get caught all the time lying or having affairs or doing some other evil thing that contradicts the tenets of Christianity. The perception that this is common is a function of the news media, which loves to report such kinds of behavior. Everyone loves to hate a hypocrite. When famous atheists commit adultery (even on a routine basis) it isn't news at all, since there is no tenet of atheism that one be faithful to his spouse.

Although there are "Christians" who lie, we can't be sure that they are really Christians at all. This is because being a Christian isn't based upon what a person says, but what Yeshua says at the judgment. According to Yeshua, many who claim to do things in His name will be rejected by Him at the judgment:

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'" (Matthew 7:23)

 
From all the deception that has gone on among Christians, it would seem that truth is not held in very much esteem. However, Christianity does not teach this kind of immoral behavior. The G-d of the Bible is also known as the G-d of Truth, who desires that all people convey truth to each other at all times. The Christian is to live a life that is established in truth - truth in speaking, in loving, and truth in all one does and thinks. Those who knowingly violate such ideals are in opposition to Christianity, and may not even be Christians. The Christian church is to be the "pillar of the truth."