Nothing But The Truth

15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

16 If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, 17 the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. 18 The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, 19 then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you. 20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. 21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

At first this command was likely meant for courtrooms. But it applies to everything we say or write down. All of our communication must be true, not false.

Psychologists have observed that we lie in various ways. Some of our lies seem relatively harmless, or even ­polite: “Yes, I’m working on that project; it’ll be done soon,” or “That outfit looks nice on you.” Or how about “It’s low-fat” (but high in sugar).

Today anything we post on the internet can be spread worldwide. This is a first in history. So it is profoundly important that Christians be known for truth-telling online.

Unfortunately, there is often little difference between the speech of Christians and non-Christians. Non-Christians and Christians alike have raised groundless conspiracy theories. They say hateful things about public figures. They delve into vats of moral swill. This should not be.

There is no place where a Christian should promote falsehood. If you think you are supporting a good cause while turning a blind eye to a few lies here and there, you are wrong. False is false, evil is evil, and wrong is wrong; the cause is not more important than truth. The end does not justify the means.

Our neighbors are made in the image of God, just like you and me. How can we claim to love our neighbors, as God commands, if we cut them down and lie about them?

Lord, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Forgive me for lying, and help me to seek and speak only truth. Amen.