Tuesday, May 18, 2010

TRUTH AND LIES

Do you always tell the truth? I've been working on my summer Bible studies, brief topics to use when I am doing Sunday Pulpit/Bible Class supply. One topic I'm working on is, "Truth vs. Lying" which is filled with ethical questions, such as, Is lying ever the right thing to do? Is telling the truth ever wrong? It seems to me lying is gaining more acceptance among young and old today. Whether it's in business, school, politics, sports or even in the courtroom, lying is becoming more prevalent, and it is weakening our society.

Martin Jay, author of "The Virtues of Mendacity," (Mendacity is the tendency to be untruthful) says there are moments when lying is okay if it serves a higher purpose. As an example, Jay refers to a situation in which a peasant is asked by the Nazis whether or not there are Jews hiding underneath his floorboards. The peasant tells the truth, and the soldiers come in and shoot them. Author Jay said it would have been morally justified in that instance to lie. Dietrich Boenhoeffer, martyered Christian apologist during WWII, might agree with that situation when such evil is involved.

Yet this seems to contradict what Jesus tells us about the Truth. In John 8:44, He says about Satan, "When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." And again Jesus tells us in John 8:32, "The truth will set you free." Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:15 to "Speak the truth in love." Judging from the dozens of negative biblical references about lying, as well as the equal amount of positive references about telling the truth, it is clear God favors the truth.

Psychologist Alan Hilfer says we all tell "white lies" and in doing so are not necessarily being irresponsible. Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny are examples of "benign" lies which stoke children's imaginations and make for happy memories. Our ability to tell white lies may actually start when we are young children and are coaxed to spare the feelings of others: "Tell grandma how much you love the book she sent you."

Truth is always best. Our Christian life is filled with choices, some of them between the lesser of two evils. It takes faith to tell the truth, faith that God will protect us and bring about the good He desires. When we assume the right to lie, even to protect someone else, we also assume the risk of where it will lead. In our everyday speech there is a good axiom to follow: "Tell the truth and you'll never have to remember what you said."

God forgives our sins of weakness and rebellion, including our telling lies, for whatever reason we may have. God's people always need to remember, though, that the truth does set us free, free to serve God and free to love His people in the best way.

Do we need to go cold turkey on white lies and learn to value the truth?

Rev. Bob Tasler (LCMS, Emeritus)
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