It's amazing to me how a thought can come to my mind while I'm driving down the road.

Out of nowhere, it seems a word fitly spoken can trigger a thought pattern that gives me a platform on which to build a story.

So the title to this writing, to tell the truth.

Some of you may be old enough to remember the game show from 1956-1968 entitled "To Tell the Truth."

Four celebrities who form a panel try to figure out which of three challengers are ultimately "telling the truth."

After asking several questions, only one of the three challengers is actually the truth teller.

It's amazing how difficult it is sometimes to tell who's really telling the truth.

At other times, it doesn't take a Philadelphia lawyer to determine.

A lady from work used to say this about someone she once knew; "How can you tell if they're lying? If their mouth is moving!"

We had many a laugh off that statement, because most times it was the truth.

Some people lie so frequently that they believe their own lies. 

To tell the truth for that mindset is almost an impossibility.

And of course, you have those who lie and then say, "I was just kidding", or "I really didn't mean it the way you took it."

"One of the greatest moral issues that we all struggle with is that of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The book, The Day that America Told the Truth, states (p. 45) that 91 percent of us lie regularly (cited by Alistair Begg, “Cedarville Torch, Fall, 1994, p. 15). “Of the people interviewed, 92 percent said the main reason for their lying was to save face, and 98 percent said the reason they told lies was so as not to offend people” (ibid.).

To tell the truth requires a person to be honest and forthright.

You never have to remember what you say if you tell the truth. 

Lying, on the other hand, requires keeping up with what you tell, because if you don't, you have to tell another lie to cover your tracks from the first lie told. Then it becomes a vicious cycle.

I'm very much a principle person. If you tell me you're going to do something, then do it. If you can't, simply pick up the phone and call, or text is now the modern day method, and let me know. It won't take a minute, then the communication lines are open and no misunderstandings can occur.

I have no problem with changes in plans, but to outright lie or show no consideration toward telling the truth...well, "it's the principle of the matter," as Daddy would say. And now, so say I.

To tell the truth not only requires honesty and forthrightness, but also credibility and accountability.

If you genuinely love God and your fellowman, you can tell the truth in the spirit of love, and you may not particularly be liked for it, but you will be respected.

We are seeing the evidence of that now big time in our country.

So many people do not like President Trump, but they respect the fact that he is doing what he said he would do. It may not be to suit their fancy, but at least he is fulfilling his promises.

I can respect anyone who will be truthful with me. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride if the truth strikes a nerve. But in the long run, you will be a better person because of it.

Another goal I have set for 2017 is to be a truthful encourager, not an enabler.

To tell the truth, to encourage and provoke to good works, is my prayer.

Our world is so full of lies, deception, greed and sin.

The apostle Paul wrote a warning for the church: “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).

"Itching ears” is a figure of speech that refers to people’s desires, felt needs, or wants. It is these desires that impel a person to believe whatever he wants to believe rather than the actual truth itself. When people have “itching ears,” they decide for themselves what is right or wrong, and they seek out others to support their notions. “Itching ears” are concerned with what feels good or comfortable, not with the truth—after all, truth is often uncomfortable. Paul’s warning is that the church would one day contain those who only opened their ears to those who would scratch their “itch.”

To tell the truth will refute this mindset.

God help us to discern these ideologies, and not enable others to become delusional.

We have a mission...not heresay, not gossip, not opinion...but,

TO TELL THE TRUTH.

 

D. S. Mullis

copyright2017