In recent days, I've been thinking a lot about the nature of truth and honesty. We might tend to think that these terms are interchangeable, but I no longer believe this is so.
Let me provide an example from my own life to illustrate. At one point in my working career, several years before I was a missionary, I was employed at a company that worked hard to get new clients. The market was competitive, and my boss showed himself very willing to lie in order to obtain new business. He expected his employees to do the same.
I let him know in no uncertain terms that I was unwilling to lie for him. Throughout my time there, I walked a very careful tightrope, making sure to never say something that was untrue. However, as time went on, although my resolution to never lie continued, dishonesty began to seep into my behaviour.
I didn't feel good about the things that I was doing, but I also couldn't put my finger on exactly what they were.
There were a few occasions (and I'm not proud of them) when sometimes I told the truth in such a way that it was misleading. Technically, the words coming out of my mouth were true. However, potential clients were led to form the wrong conclusions. My behaviour was dishonest, even though my words were true.
I'd been surrounded by lies all the time, and it wasn't until I moved on from that company that I fully realized what I had done. Until then, I had been proud of my "success" at resisting the temptation to lie. But I had actually succumbed to my environment in a much deeper, and potentially more destructive way.
Thinking back to the story in Luke 4, I realize that when Satan tempted Jesus, many of the things he said were technically true. He even quoted the Scriptures on numerous occasions! However, the meaning behind his words, the intent, the impression his words gave was entirely dishonest.
When we use the truth in a surgical way to wield dishonesty, we are not emulating Christ. We are emulating Satan.
That's a hard pill to swallow. But it is true. And it is written in love.
"Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart." (Psalm 86:11)
May we each step into following the Way, the Truth, and the Life with our whole hearts.
Lord Jesus, I confess before you that sometimes I have told the truth while being dishonest. I have exchanged a heart of truth for a heart of lies. Please forgive me of my sin. Please cleanse me of this rot in my heart. May I not succumb to emulating the world while giving lip service to obeying You. Please purge me of dishonesty and hypocrisy. These things dishonour You, and they dishonour me. Please lead me out of this place of sin into Your freedom, love, and peace. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
