I'AM NEW

To Tell The Truth

I have a confession to make:  I'm watching Wheel of Fortune right now and I'm bothered by something.   I was just working on my Trinity Seminary course on Anglican history and I had the TV on for noise and what bothered me was Lena, one of the contestants, who was rooting on her competitor Marc to her left by clapping enthusiastically and hollering, "C'mon, Marc, c'mon!" appearing to want him to succeed at solving the puzzle.  I know that she is coached to do this by the producers, but really, do you think she actually wants Marc to win "big money?"  Do you think she wants him to solve the puzzle?  No way!  She wants him to hit "bankruptcy" or "lose turn" so that she, herself, can get a shot again at winning "big money." What I suspect she is really thinking is "C'mon, Marc, c'mon, hit bankruptcy, Marc, hit bankruptcy."  The apostle Paul told the church of Ephesus to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to our neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).  It is so hard for us to do this consistently when we're being pressured to be politically correct, or perhaps if we're fearful of hurting someone's feelings, or even when we might be playing for "big money."  How are you doing in this area?

2 comments (Add your own)

1. Jasen Larabee wrote:
Can we speak the truth in church then too?

November 11, 2009 @ 7:05 PM

2. Ron Taimuty-Loomis wrote:
Good challenge Bruce. In addition, I would note that "political correctness", sensitivity to others' feelings, and even playing for big money are not intrinsically 'untruthful' things. Your point goes to motivation and intent. Which really raises these questions for me:

Is political correctness wrong if what is spoken is true and motivated by Christ's love?

Should we not be concerned for others' feelings when speaking the truth? (I.e. is it better to speak the truth in love, or speak the truth uncompassionately and with the intent to make someone feel guilty or cause them pain?)

In playing for big money, is it better to be sportsmanlike or cutthroat and vicious?

All of this boils down to one real question: Even if our internal feelings don't align with our outward behavior ... e.g. I cheer on my opponent to win at Wheel of Fortune but I myself really want to win ... does that mean what I am doing is false or untruthful?

Not necessarily. If I am sportsmanlike, or politically correct, or sensitive to others' feelings so that I myself gain an advantage...well then, yes, I'm in the wrong. But if I do all those things out of a CHOICE to be loving, even though my internal feelings don't align with my actions, does that mean I'm being wrong, deceitful, or false? Not at all. I'm choosing to act on faith even though my feelings are 'untrue' to my displayed behavior. That, I would say, is much better than just being 'true' to what I really feel.

November 15, 2009 @ 7:11 AM

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