I am drawn to true crime, who-done-it, criminal profiling stories. Just call me Detective Debby. As crimes are solved and the case goes to trial, the same line is repeated, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” After umpteen gillion shows, it occurred to me recently how hard it is for people to tell what the truth really is.
At first “nothing but the truth” was a command most likely meant for courtrooms. But in today’s world it applies to everything we say or write down. Everyone of our communications should be true, not false. Psychologists have observed over the last decade that we lie in various ways. Some of our lies seem relatively harmless, or even polite: “Yes, I’m working on that project; it’ll be done soon,” or “That outfit looks nice on you.” Or how about “It’s low-fat” (but high in sugar).
So many times we are told something by someone to find out later that their “truth” was either totally false or a half-truth. As a former analyst, I learned how crucial it is to know what your source is for the information you receive. One newspaper or social media outlet can say things one way, and someone else try to say the same thing only with a different slant. That’s the problem we are facing with the “news” today. So many sources, so little we really know about them. It’s as if they want to prove they are “right” instead of doing/saying what is “right” with the real truth.
Social media and its news has definitely changed our world. There are certainly benefits, but there are definitely negative effects on society and people of faith. Sharing information and rumors without checking the sources has become easy and often tempting. Sharing false information is often harmful – it’s the same as lying.
I find it fascinating that Paul the apostle gives the following reason to speak truthfully: “Speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25). Each body part affects the whole body. So, if believers in Christ spread misinformation, we reduce the truthfulness of the church. Christians are then seen as untrustworthy, and this dishonors Christ and ultimately harms our ability to be taken seriously when we share the good news of Jesus.
Christians are called to live by the truth. That doesn’t mean you have to stay away from social media. It means you must follow Jesus, who says, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). If we practice this, who knows how many would be affected by the truth and what a difference it could make on society?
Lord, let us be people marked by the truth. And may the truth reach many people with the gospel. Help me to live on the side of truth, knowing that life with you is the most important thing for me today and every day. Amen.
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com. Visit her at the Second Mile blog at https://debbyefurd.com.
Tagged: Christians in culture, Jesus
