I wonder how many of you might start considering the true definition of absolute honesty, as I have been lately.
The Bible tells us that the truth will set us free (John 8:32). It also encourages its reader, over and over again, to be truthful and to reject falsehoods (Ephesians 4:25, Proverbs 30:8, etc). Furthermore, there is Biblical example after example of the Godly pursuit of speaking truth. In many instances, truth is also closely connected with love...it might not be too far a stretch to say that love cannot exist without truth, nor truth without some form of love.
Along these same lines, there is this phrase we use that has been bothering me lately "Spare me the details" or "I spared him/her the full story." To "spare" someone seems to imply that the speaker is doing that person a favor; yet, the context of these statements often is within the cloak of opting out of a full truth. How much love can there be when half truths are spoken? Or partial truths omitted? Or raw truth avoided? What is left with absolute truth is shied away from?
I have been thinking a lot about this topic lately, and I suspect some of you are nodding along as you read. I don't think it would be hard to find people willing to join in my rally cry for "Truth!" Yet, I see the hypocrisy when I look at my own life. How many times have I avoided answering a question, because I didn't want to give my full, most truthful answer? How many times have I hoped to dodge a particular topic, because of hesitation about sharing the truthful account of my experience with a certain person or topic?
And yet, at the same time, would I not tell any child that a partial truth is not the truth at all?
I'm still considering this topic, and I invite you to do the same. I wonder what my life would look like, and in what areas there would be change, if I committed absolutely to rigorous honesty without exception. It's important to speak the truth with love, yes...but to continue to speak the truth nonetheless. Agree?
2 comments:
I have a book on ethics I should let you borrow. Norman Geisler, the author, steps right into ethical lying in the first chapter. So much for an easy start.
I'll agree that a half-truth isn't the complete truth, but a complete lie. But in what context?
There are a lot of outlying things to consider in truth-telling/lying. Consider your intentions [do you intend to hurt someone], or your motive [is this selfish gain, or are you doing it to save the person's life].
It would be unfair to you and to us to keep it this topic at a single post. ;)
I think absolute truth combined with tact is a good rule of thumb.
To piggyback on Andy W's comment, just the act of reasoning to determine whether to speak the truth or a lie might be considered mature morality. Would a woman truly be moral if she told the absolute truth without any consideration? I need to look at scripture to see what it states on the subject.
Post a Comment