Truth Justice and the American way

Truth, Justice, and the American Way

Exodus 20:16

By Dr. Kent Spann

Ex 20:16

16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

NIV

How many of you grew up watching Superman? Was he your favorite superhero? Wasn’t he just the coolest? Do you remember the opening statement, that said he fights for “truth, justice, and the American way”?

What has happened to the truth in America? I am not talking about the assumption of truth; I am talking about telling the truth. Truth is no longer important.

Lying is a way of life in America.

Film producer Linda Obst described Hollywood culture this way: “Inhale. Lie. Exhale. Lie.

On the Internet I found this article by Jay Reeves The 20 Most Popular Lies We Tell Every Day:

I’m fine, nothing’s wrong.

I was stuck in traffic.

You look great in that [insert article of clothing here].

I only had one beer.

My phone died.

I had no way to contact you.

I never got the message.

I’ll call you right back.

It didn’t cost that much.

It was on sale.

Oh, this old thing? I’ve had it for ages.

I’m on the way.

Thanks, it’s just what I’ve always wanted.

You’ve lost weight.

You haven’t changed a bit.

I didn’t touch it.

I have no idea where it is.

I’ll try to make it.

I have a headache.

I would never lie to you.

Lying has now become America’s favorite pastime.

Look at Psalms 12:1 with me. It says:

Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.

(Ps. 12:1, 2 NIV)

Christian leader Charles Colson wrote a column for Christianity Today in March 2002, that called our society a “Post-Truth Society” because lying is so prevalent.

Exodus 20:16

16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

NIV

Point I

Truth, Justice, and God’s Way

God says you shall not give a deceptive witness about your neighbor.

God made it clear that in this new society, false testimony against a neighbor was evil. (Deut. 17:7; 19:15–21).

Lying is an abomination to God (Prov. 6:16–19; 12:22).

Why does God hate lying and dishonesty so much?

• Because Satan, His enemy, is the father of lies (John 8:44).

• Because God is the God of truth ( John 14:6; 1 John 4:6).

• Because lying is sin.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all.”

Variations on Lying

• Outright lies (Ps. 34:13)

• Rumors (Ex. 23:1)

• Gossip (Prov. 20:19; Rom. 1:29)

• Slander (Lev. 19:16; Ps. 15:1–3; James 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:1)

• Silence (Lev. 5:1)

• Flattery (Rom. 16:18; 1 Thess. 2:5)

• Exaggeration and boasting (James 3:5, 14)

• Hypocrisy (Matt. 23:13, 15, 23; Titus 1:16)

• False teaching (2 Pet. 2:1–3)

Point II

Honesty Is the Best Policy

George Orwell said, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

God calls us to be revolutionary (Prov. 12:22; Eph. 4:25).

Proverbs 12:22

22 The Lord detests lying lips,

but he delights in men who are truthful.

NIV

Ephesians 4:25

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body

NIV

Commit to live a life of integrity.

“Seven-year-old first baseman Tanner Munsey never thought he’d end up in Sports Illustrated, but he did. While playing T-Ball in Wellington, Florida, Tanner fielded a ground ball and tried to tag a runner going from first to second base. The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out, but young Tanner immediately ran to her side and said, “Ma’am, I didn’t tag the runner.” Umpire Benson reversed herself and sent the runner to second base.

Two weeks later, Laura Benson was again the umpire, and Tanner was playing shortstop. This time Benson ruled that Tanner had missed the tag on a runner going to third base, and she called the runner safe. Tanner, obviously disappointed, tossed the ball to the pitcher and returned to his position. Benson asked Tanner what was wrong, and Tanner quietly said he’d tagged the boy.

Umpire Benson’s response? “You’re out!” She sent the runner to the bench. When the opposing coach rushed the field to protest, Benson explained what had happened two weeks before, saying, “If a kid is that honest, I have to give it to him.”

Point III

Speak the Truth in Love

“Here is a great acrostic to help you evaluate how you speak. Ask, is it:

True?

Helpful?

Inspiring?

Necessary?

Kind?

Own up to your actions, no matter what it costs.

One of the most tragic stories is that of David and Bathsheba.

The whole affair turned into a huge web of deceit, because David was unwilling to own up to his own action and admit his sin.

The Bible is filled with examples of people failing to own up to their actions.

Speaking the truth in love means we own up to our actions, whether they are decisions we make, which may or may not be bad, or sins we commit.

Point IV

Think and say the best about people.

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 to think the best about people.

Phil 4:8

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

NIV

Our propensity is to go negative.

Paul Gives us 8 things in this verse.

True

Nobel

Right

Pure

Lovely

Admirable

Excellent

Praiseworthy

All 8 are positive. Not negative.

Point V

Don’t gossip.

“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down” (Prov. 26:20 NIV).”

Point VI

Keep your word.

One of the best testimonies you can have in today’s society is that you are a man or woman of your word.

Toby and I have always told our daughters that the one thing you do have in this world is your word.

Jesus said:

“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matt. 5:37).

Point VII

Be honest in your dealings with others.

Being honest with others would seem to be simple, but it is not for fallen creatures like us.

American politician Adlai Stevenson defined a lie as “an abomination unto the Lord, but a very present help in time of trouble.”

Unfortunately, that is how many even Christians define lies.

We need to admit our dishonesty.

We need to think honestly; that is, make honesty our mind-set.

We need to be honest in the small things.

Point VIII

Believe the truth.

This is where the rubber really meets the road. Being truthful begins with believing the truth. I'm going to point out two truths you need to come to grips with.

The Truth About Your Heart

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jer. 17:9, 10)

As long as you think you are not that bad, you are living in a world of deceit.

The Truth About Christ

You need to come to grips with the truth about Christ. That could be a whole other sermon, but one verse will suffice now.

Jesus said . . . “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Conclusion:

In the book Gaily The Troubadour, published in 1936, Arthur Guiterman wrote the following poem. Reading his observations, you wouldn't guess it was written 87+ years ago.

First dentistry was painless;

Then bicycles were chainless

And carriages were horseless

And many laws, enforceless.

Next, cookery was fireless,

Telegraphy was wireless,

Cigars were nicotineless

And coffee, caffeinless.

Soon oranges were seedless,

The putting green was weedless,

The college boy hatless,

The proper diet, fatless,

Now motor roads are dustless,

The latest steel is rustless,

Our tennis courts are sodless,

Our new religions, godless.

Arthur Guiterman, Gaily The Troubadour.

Excerpt From

Nelson's Preacher's Sourcebook

Thomas Nelson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/nelsons-preachers-sourcebook/id6443651804

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