Embracing Truth: A Call to Honesty in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to be here with you today. I want to start by sharing a memorable scene from an otherwise forgettable 1980s movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty. In the opening scene, these two characters, who are struggling musicians, come up with a song that says, "Telling the truth can be dangerous business." This line sets the stage for our discussion today about the importance of truth in our lives.
In the early 1970s, Daniel Ellsberg released the Pentagon Papers, revealing that the U.S. government had been lying about the Vietnam War. This act of truth-telling was significant, but Ellsberg himself doubted that such revelations would be believed today, given the prevalence of "fake news." This brings us to the issue of truth in our current context, where even prominent figures like Donald Trump have labeled unfavorable news as "fake news" and have used terms like "alternative facts" to distort reality.
Jesus addresses the issue of truth in the Sermon on the Mount, specifically in Matthew 5:37, where He says, "Let your yes be yes and your no, no; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Jesus contrasts His teachings with the behavior of the Pharisees, who were supposed to be the bearers of truth but often manipulated it to suit their purposes. They would make oaths without mentioning God's name, believing that this allowed them to break their promises without consequence.
The Pharisees knew that truth was a high value for God, as evidenced by scriptures like Leviticus 19:12 and Numbers 30:2, which emphasize the importance of keeping vows made to the Lord. However, they narrowed the scope of truth-telling to the point where they felt justified in breaking their promises if God's name was not explicitly mentioned. Jesus condemns this behavior, urging us to be straightforward and honest in all our dealings.
Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of truth when He was put under oath by the high priest in Matthew 26:63. Despite remaining silent initially, He spoke the truth when charged under oath by the living God. Similarly, God the Father swore an oath in Genesis 22, promising to bless Abraham. These examples show that the act of taking an oath is not inherently wrong; what matters is the commitment to truth.
In John 8:44, Jesus speaks harshly to those who claim to believe but do not live by the truth, saying they emulate the devil, the father of lies. This underscores the importance of truth-telling for us as followers of Jesus. When we lie or break our promises, we are not just failing ourselves but also misrepresenting God, whose name we bear.
Truth-telling is crucial not just for our relationships with others but also for our relationship with God. When we make vows to the Lord, we must keep them. This applies to various aspects of our lives, including our commitments to listen to God's voice and act on His promptings. Failing to do so is a form of breaking our promises to God.
In conclusion, Jesus calls us to be truth-tellers and truth-keepers. Our words matter, and we must weigh them carefully. Let us pray for the Spirit of truth to strengthen us, helping us to speak and live truthfully, thereby honoring God in all we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Truth in Our Lives: Truth is not just a moral obligation but a reflection of God's character. When we tell the truth, we align ourselves with God's nature. Conversely, when we lie, we emulate the devil, the father of lies. This stark contrast highlights the spiritual significance of truth-telling. [18:10]
2. The Pharisees' Manipulation of Truth: The Pharisees knew the importance of truth but manipulated it to suit their purposes. They believed that oaths not mentioning God's name could be broken without consequence. Jesus condemns this behavior, urging us to be straightforward and honest in all our dealings. [07:15]
3. Jesus and God's Commitment to Truth: Both Jesus and God the Father demonstrated the importance of truth by taking oaths and keeping their promises. This shows that the act of taking an oath is not inherently wrong; what matters is the commitment to truth. [14:11]
4. The Cost of Truth-Telling: True commitment to truth is tested when it costs us something, whether it's humility, embarrassment, or the effort to fulfill our promises. These moments reveal our true character and commitment to God. [24:29]
5. Truth in Our Relationship with God: Keeping our promises to God is as important as keeping our promises to others. When we fail to act on God's promptings, we break our promises to Him. This calls for a renewed commitment to listen and respond to God's voice. [28:45]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:55] - Telling the Truth Can Be Dangerous
3. [03:01] - The Issue of Fake News
4. [04:40] - Jesus' Teaching on Truth
5. [07:15] - The Pharisees' Manipulation of Truth
6. [14:11] - Jesus and God's Commitment to Truth
7. [18:10] - Emulating the Devil by Lying
8. [24:29] - The Cost of Truth-Telling
9. [28:45] - Truth in Our Relationship with God
10. [30:28] - Prayer for Truthfulness
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 5:37 - "Let your yes be yes and your no, no; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
2. Leviticus 19:12 - "Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord."
3. John 8:44 - "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."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Let your yes be yes and your no, no" in Matthew 5:37? How does this relate to the behavior of the Pharisees? ([04:40])
2. According to Leviticus 19:12, what is the consequence of swearing falsely by God's name? How did the Pharisees manipulate this command? ([06:23])
3. In John 8:44, how does Jesus describe the devil in relation to truth? What does this imply about the importance of truth-telling for believers? ([17:21])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the simplicity of "yes" and "no" in His teaching? How does this contrast with the Pharisees' approach to oaths? ([11:35])
2. How does the manipulation of truth by the Pharisees reflect their understanding of God's character and commands? What does this reveal about their spiritual state? ([07:15])
3. What are the implications of Jesus' statement in John 8:44 for Christians who lie or break promises? How does this affect their relationship with God and others? ([18:10])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found it easier to tell a lie rather than the truth. What were the short-term and long-term consequences of that decision? How can you commit to truth-telling in similar situations in the future? ([03:01])
2. The Pharisees justified breaking their promises by not mentioning God's name. Are there ways you rationalize not keeping your word? How can you change this behavior to align more closely with Jesus' teaching? ([08:16])
3. Jesus and God the Father both took oaths and kept their promises. How can you demonstrate a commitment to truth in your daily life, even when it is difficult or costly? ([14:11])
4. Consider the cost of truth-telling in your life. Are there specific areas where you struggle to be honest because of potential embarrassment or effort required? How can you address these challenges with humility and integrity? ([24:29])
5. How do you respond to God's promptings in your life? Are there commitments you have made to God that you have not followed through on? What steps can you take to be more faithful in keeping your promises to Him? ([28:45])
6. Think about your relationships with others. Are there promises you have made that you have not kept? How can you seek forgiveness and make amends to restore trust and integrity in those relationships? ([26:44])
7. Reflect on the importance of truth in your relationship with God. How does keeping your promises to Him impact your spiritual growth and witness to others? What specific actions can you take to strengthen this aspect of your faith? ([29:17])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning with God's Nature Through Truth
Truth is not just a moral obligation but a reflection of God's character. When we tell the truth, we align ourselves with God's nature. Conversely, when we lie, we emulate the devil, the father of lies. This stark contrast highlights the spiritual significance of truth-telling. Jesus emphasized this in John 8:44, where He speaks harshly to those who claim to believe but do not live by the truth, saying they emulate the devil, the father of lies. This underscores the importance of truth-telling for us as followers of Jesus. When we lie or break our promises, we are not just failing ourselves but also misrepresenting God, whose name we bear.
Truth-telling is crucial not just for our relationships with others but also for our relationship with God. When we make vows to the Lord, we must keep them. This applies to various aspects of our lives, including our commitments to listen to God's voice and act on His promptings. Failing to do so is a form of breaking our promises to God. Let us pray for the Spirit of truth to strengthen us, helping us to speak and live truthfully, thereby honoring God in all we do. [18:10]
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV): "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to lie or bend the truth. How can you align your response with God's nature by choosing to tell the truth?
Day 2: The Pharisees' Manipulation of Truth
The Pharisees knew the importance of truth but manipulated it to suit their purposes. They believed that oaths not mentioning God's name could be broken without consequence. Jesus condemns this behavior, urging us to be straightforward and honest in all our dealings. The Pharisees would make oaths without mentioning God's name, believing that this allowed them to break their promises without consequence. This behavior is contrasted with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:37, where He says, "Let your yes be yes and your no, no; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
Jesus calls us to a higher standard of truthfulness, one that does not rely on technicalities or loopholes. Our integrity should be evident in our words and actions, reflecting the truthfulness of God. This means being honest even when it is inconvenient or when we think we can get away with a lie. By doing so, we honor God and build trust in our relationships with others. [07:15]
Proverbs 12:22 (ESV): "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you used a technicality to justify not telling the full truth. How can you commit to being more straightforward and honest in your future dealings?
Day 3: Jesus and God's Commitment to Truth
Both Jesus and God the Father demonstrated the importance of truth by taking oaths and keeping their promises. This shows that the act of taking an oath is not inherently wrong; what matters is the commitment to truth. Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of truth when He was put under oath by the high priest in Matthew 26:63. Despite remaining silent initially, He spoke the truth when charged under oath by the living God. Similarly, God the Father swore an oath in Genesis 22, promising to bless Abraham.
These examples show that the act of taking an oath is not inherently wrong; what matters is the commitment to truth. When we make promises, whether to God or to others, we must be diligent in keeping them. This reflects our integrity and our alignment with God's character. Let us strive to be people who are known for our truthfulness and reliability, just as God is faithful and true in all His promises. [14:11]
Hebrews 6:16-18 (ESV): "For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath."
Reflection: Think about a promise you have made recently. Are you committed to keeping it, even if it becomes difficult? How can you ensure that you follow through on your commitments?
Day 4: The Cost of Truth-Telling
True commitment to truth is tested when it costs us something, whether it's humility, embarrassment, or the effort to fulfill our promises. These moments reveal our true character and commitment to God. Telling the truth can sometimes be dangerous or costly, as it may require us to admit our mistakes, face consequences, or go against popular opinion. However, it is in these moments that our true character is revealed.
When we choose to tell the truth, even at a personal cost, we demonstrate our commitment to God and His values. This not only strengthens our integrity but also serves as a witness to others of the transformative power of living a truthful life. Let us pray for the courage to be truth-tellers, even when it is difficult, and trust that God will honor our commitment to His truth. [24:29]
Proverbs 19:1 (ESV): "Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool."
Reflection: Consider a situation where telling the truth might cost you something. Are you willing to pay that price to maintain your integrity? How can you prepare yourself to face such situations with courage?
Day 5: Truth in Our Relationship with God
Keeping our promises to God is as important as keeping our promises to others. When we fail to act on God's promptings, we break our promises to Him. This calls for a renewed commitment to listen and respond to God's voice. Our relationship with God is built on trust and obedience. When we make vows or commitments to God, we must take them seriously and strive to fulfill them.
This includes being attentive to God's promptings and acting on them, whether it is through prayer, service, or other forms of obedience. By doing so, we demonstrate our love and respect for God and strengthen our relationship with Him. Let us seek to be faithful in our commitments to God, knowing that He is always faithful to us. [28:45]
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (ESV): "When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."
Reflection: Reflect on a commitment you have made to God. Are you actively working to fulfill it? How can you be more attentive to God's promptings and respond with obedience?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Telling the truth can be dangerous business. So secondly, I think back. In the previous decade, the early 1970s, there was a guy named Daniel Ellsberg. Anybody remember that name? Daniel Ellsberg was the guy that released what became known as the Pentagon Papers, which were government documents that revealed, when they were published, revealed to the American public that the government actually had been lying to the nation for years about the Vietnam War. Ellsberg actually died last year at age 92. But about six years ago, we were watching the CBC National News, and Adrienne Arsenault, who happens to be the anchor, was interviewing Ellsberg and talking to him about the release of the Pentagon Papers way back when. And she said, do you think, Mr. Ellsberg, that if those papers like that were released today, that they would actually be believed? And Ellsberg commented that with, with so much news in the main media being labeled as fake, he doubted that the revelation of such papers would even be believed." [01:49]
2. "I know I said, I'd do that, but I didn't actually know at the time how busy I was going to be. Number two. What did I say I'd do? Three. I know that what I said wasn't exactly true, but sometimes it's just easier not to get into all the details. Number four. The government already gets enough of my money. Surely it's okay to fudge a little on the tax return. Number five. I know I'm breaking a commitment, but I have hung in there long enough, and I am just done. Number six. What I said wasn't true, but it would have been too hurtful to say what I really thought. And so the Pharisees said, I did not include God's name in my vow, therefore I'm off the hook. And sometimes we say, I've got my reasons, so I'm off the hook. And Jesus just cuts through it all with the Pharisees and with us, and he says, tell the truth, stick with it, plain and simple." [09:09]
3. "So let me give you two caveats to truth telling. Some people think they've got this down cold and they will enthusiastically tell you, I just tell it like it is. I just put it out there and speak truth in any circumstance. But I want to suggest that the way to judge if we're actually committed to truth telling is not in those moments when we are absolutely happy to just dump it all out there or perhaps dump on someone because it feels so good to get it off our chest. Those are not the moments to judge whether you actually are a truth teller or not. No, the moments to judge whether we're truth tellers is when it actually costs us something to tell truth. Like it costs us humility to own up to something. It might even cost us embarrassment. Or it costs us the price of doing the taxes or paying the duty at the border. Or it costs us the time and energy to actually fulfill what we've said. You judge whether you're a truth teller by the moments when it actually costs." [23:49]
4. "In other words, let your words be true. Let them speak truth. Let them mean what you say. So if you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. If you say yes, make sure that that's what you intend. If you say no, make sure that's what you intend. Tell the truth and keep it. This is Jesus' instruction. And I've got to say, especially in our day, how distinctively and importantly unique that would be. So the primary issue here in this passage is truth. We're to tell it and we're to keep it. We're to be truth tellers and truth keepers." [12:03]
### Quotes for Members
1. "And so we come back again to the scripture that I started with, the end of this passage, where Jesus says, simply let your yes be yes and your no, no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Then the instructions of this sermon are for us giving us clarity of insight as to how we're to live for Him. And we are in Christ. So follow Him. And the remarkable thing is that our words and the truth we speak and the truth we keep can end up being fresh context for actually honoring Him and loving Him each and every moment. Your words matter. Truth matters. Follow Jesus." [11:35]
2. "When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Right in your face. Incredibly strong words. Now, applied to us, what this says is that when we lie, when we hold loosely to the truth, we are in fact emulating the devil. Because lying is his native language form. It's what he does from his heart. And so when we lie, when we break faith, when we neglect to tell the truth or keep the truth, we are speaking with his dialect. So we need to see what's at stake when we tell untruths, tell half-truths, break the truth in any way. We are called as followers of Jesus to hold to truth. And when we don't, we're actually emulating the enemy instead. It's a pretty strong reason for telling truth." [18:10]
3. "And so the Pharisees from the scripture knew that truthfulness was a very important part of the gospel. It was vitally important, important to the Lord. But what they did was they took truthfulness and they narrowed it radically. They cut it down to size. And so from the Old Testament, they grabbed hold of the principle that holding God's name in faithfulness was hugely important. God's name being faithfully held by his followers. And secondly, they understood from the scripture that fulfilling your vows to the Lord was hugely important. And so they knew that God had commanded these things, but they fine-tuned it. And so they decided that if you made a vow and included in it the name of God, then that vow was absolutely binding. But if you made a vow and happened not to mention the name of God in it, then that vow didn't really count for anything. You could just break it with impunity." [07:15]
4. "So the second thing has to do with truth keeping. See it's one thing to tell the truth it's another thing to actually keep the truth. Don't be like the Pharisees and just let yourselves off the hook. Do what you say. So this applies to our relationships with people and it also applies to our relationships with God. So I've got to say when I come to this passage there's something inside me that says ouch. Because personally I've got to say that I think back over many, many years and more recently there are so many times that I know that I have not kept what I said. I don't know if anybody else can identify. And it's not that what I said in the first place was a lie. What I said in the first place was what I intended to do. But it's often been in the follow through that I've dropped the ball. And for me personally so often that relates to procrastination. I just keep putting something off. Anybody else identify? Truth keeping means we need to engage and with energy and time fulfill what it is that we've said we were going to do." [27:26]
5. "And so if we haven't kept the truth we need to do it as much as we can or ask forgiveness of the person or ask forgiveness of the Lord. So in our relationships with people truth keeping is hugely important. But also in our relationship with the Lord God Himself. Vows to the Lord are ones that need to be kept. And you can apply this in so many different areas. Let me tell you where I'm most aware of it at the moment. For a long period of time I've really yearned to hear the Lord's voice more clearly. And I will pray and tell Him I want to hear your voice. But I confess that sometimes when I get that nudge that kind of insight that kind of prompting to do something I don't jump on it as quickly as I should. And I've been learning over the last little bit just being aware of it that when the prompting comes I just need to respond. And sometimes it's as simple as sending somebody an email or a text. I'm thinking about you. I'm praying for you. Because the Lord brought them to mind. But so easily I can break the promise that inherently I made to the Lord. I want to listen and hear and I'm going to respond. I can break the promise by just not getting around to doing the thing that He prompts me to do. And Jesus says when it comes to people when it comes to the Lord let your yes be yes and let your no be no. And anything beyond this is of the evil one." [28:05]
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