Truth
is indispensable. We need the truth from those who make decisions affecting our
lives. We need truth in the classroom that shapes our minds, values, and societal
behaviors. We need the truth in the media, which we depend on for facts to make
informed decisions. And last, but not least, we need the truth to be the foundation
of long term meaningful relationships. Imagine a society in which nothing can
be known to be true!
We
have already observed that truth is one of the foundation stones of the Fear of
the Lord. We have also seen that Solomon elevated these basic elements of the
Fear of the Lord, to be equal in importance to the Ten Commandments.
13Now
all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his
commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc. 12:13).
Words
have tremendous power. They can build up and enlighten, or they can destroy and
misinform. There is not a person or a society on the planet who has not been blessed
and/or cursed with words. Solomon speaks of his decision to use his tongue to
praise God's righteousness.
“The
tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes
the spirit…" "My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your
praises all day long." (Prov. 15:4; Psa. 35:28b)
Jesus
said in John 14:6: "I am the way,
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Jesus is the truth. When we have Him, we have within us His presence out of
which His truth can become visible to others.
Jesus
taught about the truth, dispensed knowledge of the truth, He is the truth. "To the Jews who had believed him,
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
If we, as the disciples Jesus, do what He says, we will have the truth and the
truth will be set free within us.
Satan—the "Father of Lies"
Satan, on the other hand, is equated with the lie. He will quote scripture
out of context and try to get us to believe the partial truth. His ultimate purpose
is to use the lie to separate us from our true selves, from each other, and finally
from God Himself. Later on in John 8, Jesus compared these same questioners to Satan
and described them and him in the following manner:
"You belong to your father, the devil,
and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the
beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies
he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)
Conclusion
Here we find a very huge contrast. Jesus is the truth,
and Satan is the lie. By itself this is not new. However, here we are placing
it in the context of the meaning of the Fear of the Lord, which is so pervasive
throughout all of scripture, but particularly in the Wisdom Literature. We will
be seeing similar parallels as we move forward in this study.
Whether one tells and/or lives the truth, or tells and/or
lives the lie is a decision one makes. Both are good indications of one’s heart
disposition; and they put on display the character of the person using them.
Is there anything you would like to add to this
conversation?
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