To Tell the Truth
From 1956 – 1977 there was a popular TV gameshow entitled “To Tell the Truth” that featured a little known individual who had done an interesting or outstanding thing, along with two people posing as that person. A panel of Hollywood stars was tasked with determining which contestant was the real person of the story. It was a lighthearted guessing game that often surprised the panel and viewers alike because some of the imposters were very convincing liars. Even as a child, I loved the challenge of trying to tell the difference. But today, it is not a game, and there is nothing entertaining about being lied to.
Biblical history contains numerous examples of ludicrously obvious lies as well as those that are malevolent. Both are capable of tragic results. Aaron, brother of Moses, invented a story to explain the golden calf idol created on his watch. “So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” (Exodus 32:24) Malevolent deception was used by chief priests at Jesus’ crucifixion. When the soldiers guarding Jesus’ grave reported that His body was gone, the chief priests bribed them into claiming that His disciples stole His body during the night. “And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this day.” (Matthew 28:15b) Lying about the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection has kept millions from receiving salvation and eternal life.
Today’s lies are messy and polarizing. Falling into the ridiculous category is the border crisis and its disastrous impact on our nation with criminals, violence, drugs, not to mention the financial drain of caring for masses without housing or income. No amount of claiming it is under control can refute the obvious. Then there are the standoffs between politicians and political parties, plus governmental agencies’ lies about misdeeds. These serve to threaten national unity by pitting the populace against each other, choosing sides based upon which lies are the most believable and/or self-serving. So, we must look at who is trying to cancel whom to promote what, and follow the money trail. This evil appears as the following: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
Those with an earnest desire for truth will not accept any narrative without thoroughly checking alternative sources unaffiliated with the mainstream. We must guard against the deception of “factual” reports that are actually full of opinions. We must additionally be aware that even spiritual leaders will falsify, stretch, and reinterpret truth to be politically correct and protect self-interests. Only the discernment of Holy Spirit combined with the inerrancy of scripture will enable us to see who aligns with truth and who is manipulating facts to achieve an agenda that produces anarchy. So, in finding the moral compass, using the words of the above gameshow host, “Will the real Truth please stand up?” Without further ado, I present John 14:6 AMP, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”