Saving Truth

For Thursday, December 29, 2005
Proverbs 14:25

A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

The witness who truthfully testifies to the innocence or guilt of a suspect...the witness who brings to light criminal conduct...the witness to truth who is willing to expose false teaching and refute false reasoning or accusations...the witness who speaks the whole truth, not merely what is critical or congratulatory...the witness who led by the Witness bears testimony to the truth of the Gospel and to Jesus Christ - such a witness saves lives, be they physical, intellectual, or spiritual.

But the one willing to bend the truth cannot be trusted. If he is willing to bend the truth for one reason, however good it may seem, he may just as easily bend it for harm. That's what the movies and TV shows miss. The loveable characters lie to protect themselves or to win their lovers, but because they have good hearts and the lies are always uncovered, things turn out alright in the end. But in real life, the lies build distrust and become ingrained in the liar so that he turns into a deceitful character, deceiving himself the most.

The truth shall set you free. Of course, it is the Truth, Jesus Christ, who sets us free. But understand as well, that living a life of truth-telling, however difficult it may seem, is the life of freedom.