Shaded Truth and Lies

Observing me reading a newspaper, my Hungarian ministry partner responded with cynicism that I actually believed its content. His experience had taught him not to believe anything he read in newspapers. Public discourse everywhere today is filled with shaded truths and lies. Sifting through the content of talk radio, network news, advertising and newspapers requires a fact checker.

I often find myself pompously railing against this deceit. Yet I have to ask myself, “Am I a hypocrite?” Is it possible that I engage in the shading of truth when I:

• want to appear more knowledgeable than I really am, and
• am losing an argument (with Pamela or others) trying to be more persuasive?

My conversation shifts from accuracy and what I know to half-truths, limited truth or truth out of context. This is not good.

I suddenly come up short and am actually frightened by God’s thoughts on this subject.

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Join me this week in being more careful with the words we say.

Sharing the journey with you,