Speak Truth

I was thinking about the ways we communicate with others and how they have shifted dramatically over the past few decades. For example, I remember when we first started using pagers for business communication in the 1980’s. Pagers were a way to communicate quickly without using a telephone. With a pager you could receive a 3-digit code to inform you of some needed action, such as “111 - call home” or “999 - call the office”. My wife and I even had a code for having me pick up milk for the kids (123). Then email came along allowing for richer communication that could be received almost instantly. You could begin to see a trend was forming towards more non-verbal ways of communication. And we all thought it was great when portable “dumbphones” that could make calls from anywhere were available (the beginning of the end for the phone booth). But we weren’t done yet. In the early 2000’s the “smartphone” arrived which could not only send and receive calls from anywhere, but text messages, emails, pictures and videos. Life was good and getting better, or was it?

As we can see now, along with all these new ways of communication came an unforeseen issue. The downside of these easy and convenient forms of communication was the stripping away certain non-verbal cues—those subtle yet significant gestures and expressions that enrich our understanding of the people we are communicating with. We began to rely more on the non-verbal features of our devices (texts and posts) and this change has continued to accelerate. What we now have is communication that is divided into two broad categories: #1- virtual (through written words) and #2 - direct (through speech and body language). The result has produced different patterns of communication depending on whether we are behind a keyboard, where it can be easy to be harsh or inconsiderate, or in face-to-face conversations, where someone may go the other direction and be overly cautious to avoid offending, even at the expense of truth.

The Bible reminds us of the importance of truth in our conversations, regardless of the form of communication, even when it is difficult to express. It’s interesting that thousands of years ago Isaiah lamented, “So truth fails,”(Isa. 59:15), and Jeremiah declared, “truth has perished” (Jer. 7:28). We often find ourselves in a world where truth can be obscured—whether by our own hesitations in person or by unchecked harshness online. We need a clear guide on how to speak the truth, no matter the means of communication.
The apostle Paul offers us an example of how to show integrity in both verbal and written communication. (2 Cor. 1:12-24):

“12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. 13 For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus. 15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; 16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. 17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? 18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

Paul always sought to speak truthfully, motivated by love. Whether through his letters or in person, Paul was committed to the truth, even when it was uncomfortable to hear. He shows us that honesty, when rooted in love, is vital for our spiritual growth. We all need people in our lives like Paul, who are willing to speak the truth in love, even when it might be uncomfortable to hear. Such conversations are rare because they require deep care and courage.

Every day we are surrounded by voices that compete with God’s truth—some from the world, others from within—voices that may lead us astray. If we rely on the Bible as our source of unfiltered truth, a source free from flattery or manipulation, it will reveal reality as it truly is, offering us hope over the shifting lies around us (Rom. 15:13). It is good to remember this truth about King Jesus.

“…put all things in subjection under his feet (Jesus). For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” (Heb. 2:8).

As the writer of Hebrews says, we may not always see Christ reigning on high in the culture, but through faith, we know it to be true because of what God did in Him.

My prayer Lord is that we all continue to immerse ourselves in Your Word of Truth, both privately and with other believers. Thank you for the words of the psalmist who said, “the sum of [God’s] word is truth” (Ps. 119:160), telling us that only through You can we find the truth that sets us free (John 8:32). Encourage us through the Holy Spirit to speak and live out this truth in our words and our actions and all ways in which we communicate, with the integrity and love that Paul exemplified. Amen


Credit: Ron Kelley