There is nothing like the truth. We have no such thing as a half-truth. The truth is simply the truth. If you change the truth, it becomes a lie. The truth is what it is, truth or not. You cannot change the truth or manipulate it in any way. If you did, the truth would not be the truth any longer. There is only one truth, and not telling the truth when you can or should be is telling a lie.
Let’s Talk About Truth
John, in his account of the gospel, talks a lot about truth. More than any other writing in the New Testament! This is some of what John had to say about the truth: Jesus is full of truth (John 1:14). The truth came from Jesus (John 1:17). He that does the truth comes to the light (John 3:21). We are to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23,24). We can know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:40). Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). We can be sanctified by the truth, which is the word of God (John 17:17). Why would we not want to share the truth or be part of it!
Should We Avoid Speaking the Truth to Protect it?
I have faith that the word of God will live forever because the Bible says so (Matt 24:35; 1 Pet 1:23-25). Sometimes, it has been thought that the word of God needs our protection by hiding it. I have seen some avoid speaking the truth on topics such as sexual immorality because they believe by doing so, the Bible will be banned. “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth” (2 Cor 13:8 NKJV). The truth is stronger than all of us. God cannot be muzzled, and it is up to us whether we will be on the side of truth or not. Esther had to make this decision whether or not she would speak the truth at a difficult time. “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esth 4:14). Life is short, and you have been given an opportunity in this lifetime. God chose to place you here and now for a reason (Acts 17:26). Use your opportunity well and let the truth come from you. Never cause God to have to send someone else in your stead.
Speaking the Truth in Love
Is it kind to lie? Some might argue that lying for someone’s good is an excuse to be ashamed of the gospel. Holding back the gospel is never for the better. Holding back the gospel is not the same as pretending to enjoy the burnt chicken dinner your loved one made for you. Holding back the gospel always results in hurting the other person. When you have the opportunity, it is unloving not to speak the truth of God’s word. “…speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him…” (Eph 4:15 emp. mine). Notice this passage does not promote silence but “speaking.” It is an encouragement to say something with the right heart that desires growth in Christ. We do not want to cut each other down, but we build each other up with our words and encourage sanctification, which comes from truth.
There is nothing like the truth in the gospel; it is one of a kind (Gal 1:6-10), and there is no such thing as a half-truth gospel. Tell it in love with the right heart, and even if you become their enemy (Gal 4:16), at least you are not an enemy of God.
