“Therefore each of you must put off
falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.”
Ephesians 4:25
Three people were talking about a
mutual friend. One told how the friend had been struck by a car and killed. The
second said, “No, you are wrong.” He explained how their friend, riding in a
taxi, had been involved in an accident. Their friend was fatally injured.
“No,” said the third. “You are both
wrong. The truth is our friend died at our local hospital. I know that because
his wife called me from the hospital and told me herself.”
Each was convinced that the others
were wrong. Here is what happened: as the man got off a bus, he was hit by a
car and badly injured. Passers-by flagged down a taxi and shoved the injured
man into the back seat. But the taxi went too fast, struck another car and the
injured man was hurt even more. He arrived at the hospital and soon died.
There are times when individuals are
completely honest in giving their perception of a situation. No one is purposely deceiving the others nor
lying, yet their stories contradict. The most persuasive individual usually is
considered to be the one telling the truth.
A generation ago truth telling was considered
very important and dishonesty was considered a flaw in a person’s character.
Today, we prefer to call a lie “disinformation” or “misstatement.”
We used to say “Honesty is the best
policy.” God places a premium on truth. Even if there were no God, no heaven or
hell, and no judgment hereafter, honesty is the only way that a society, a
family, or a marriage can survive. When we begin to live and practice deceit
and falsehood, relationships cannot survive. A person who lies is rending the
very fabric of his soul, and eventually, there will be nothing of value. Think
about it.
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