Possess What You Profess

I recently posed a question to a friend of mine, when does a half truth become a full lie? I have heard people use the phrase "half truth" as a sort of bridge between the truth and a lie as if it were an acceptable compromise. To be honest, I find this kind of moral quibbling very disappointing, and I view it as a proverbial slippery sloop. It is easy to profess variations of what might resemble the truth but much more difficult to possess what is the truth.

As followers of Christ we are encouraged by the scriptures to speak the truth. Our credibility is founded on truth, spoken with love, for the good of the listener, as well as the speaker. There is no place in the christian life for half truths, three quarter truths, partial truths, or fragments of the truth. This is especially true for those in positions of authority, clergy, elders, deacons, teachers, etc..

So here is the plain truth. The half truth does not exist; it is just a phrase used to disguise a complete lie. If one decides to withhold part of the truth then one has taken it upon oneself not to tell the truth. Half truths are the less sophisticated cousins of innuendo and gossip, but all are liars at heart.

In Zechariah 8:16-17, God spoke these words to Zechariah: "These are things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, I hate all this," declares the Lord.

As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in a faithful and loving manner so that it may benefit the one who hears and the one who speaks. It may be uncomfortable, difficult, or even a painful task to complete but it is what we are called to do. God encourages us to never be afraid to question or examine the words of others. We are to hold them up to the sound guidance of scripture where truth and lies are easily seperated.

So do not be afraid to seek and speak the truth, the whole truth. In doing so you will be one step closer to living the life you seek. Possess what you profess, for the truth will set you free.

RefRev