19 reactions
The Importance of Telling the Truth
Truth and falsehood are not simply matters of accuracy. They go to the very core of our being. To tell the truth is to embark on an adventure—to invite chaos and transformation. To tell a lie is to reject growth, inviting stagnation and even disaster.
Countless archetypal stories of mythology are found in texts and oral traditions from the beginning or written history, and whether you believe, literally, the stories you hear or read, the lessons to be learned from them are often undeniably applicable to our own lives and rather transcendental in nature.
This was the lesson of the Old Testament prophet Jonah, who resisted God's command to warn the sinful people of Nineveh. Jonah thought he knew better and could avoid his responsibility. But his lies brought a storm upon the ship he sailed on. No matter how Jonah tried to avoid his duty, he could not escape. He had to tell the hard truths he was given, or face catastrophe.
We often balk at truths we know we must tell. It feels easier and safer to keep silent or shade the truth when speaking up could lead to conflict or change. But shirking our duty destroys trust and invites catastrophe, even if we don't see it right away. The ship of state cannot sail straight when those aboard refuse their responsibility.
As Solzhenitsyn documented, totalitarianism does not rely on a dictator oppressing the people. It relies on lies freely chosen by all. When each individual refuses their duty to speak truth, the rot spreads through society. Injustice and atrocity become possible.
Yet the truth also offers life and adventure. When we have faith to speak openly without trying to control outcomes, inviting chaos, we embark on the journey of our lives. In truth we become our fullest selves. The alternative is to live a lie, to have our lives shaped by things that are not ourselves. This leads only to spiritual death.
Abraham provides the model. He stepped away from comfort and certainty to follow God's call. His path was full of troubles, yet he became the father of nations through his faith. We too can find meaning by eschewing lies and manipulation in favor of difficult but liberating truth. No matter how chaotic the outcome, we can trust that this path leads to the most complete life possible.
The call of conscience is the voice of God within us, urging us to truth and fulfillment. Though often difficult, resisting its call can only lead to disaster. In truth alone lies hope. Let us all therefore have the wisdom and courage to speak necessary truths, no matter the storms they bring. The chaos of truth is better than the stagnation of lies.
#truth #lies #progress #peace #conflict #tellthetruth
Truth and falsehood are not simply matters of accuracy. They go to the very core of our being. To tell the truth is to embark on an adventure—to invite chaos and transformation. To tell a lie is to reject growth, inviting stagnation and even disaster.
Countless archetypal stories of mythology are found in texts and oral traditions from the beginning or written history, and whether you believe, literally, the stories you hear or read, the lessons to be learned from them are often undeniably applicable to our own lives and rather transcendental in nature.
This was the lesson of the Old Testament prophet Jonah, who resisted God's command to warn the sinful people of Nineveh. Jonah thought he knew better and could avoid his responsibility. But his lies brought a storm upon the ship he sailed on. No matter how Jonah tried to avoid his duty, he could not escape. He had to tell the hard truths he was given, or face catastrophe.
We often balk at truths we know we must tell. It feels easier and safer to keep silent or shade the truth when speaking up could lead to conflict or change. But shirking our duty destroys trust and invites catastrophe, even if we don't see it right away. The ship of state cannot sail straight when those aboard refuse their responsibility.
As Solzhenitsyn documented, totalitarianism does not rely on a dictator oppressing the people. It relies on lies freely chosen by all. When each individual refuses their duty to speak truth, the rot spreads through society. Injustice and atrocity become possible.
Yet the truth also offers life and adventure. When we have faith to speak openly without trying to control outcomes, inviting chaos, we embark on the journey of our lives. In truth we become our fullest selves. The alternative is to live a lie, to have our lives shaped by things that are not ourselves. This leads only to spiritual death.
Abraham provides the model. He stepped away from comfort and certainty to follow God's call. His path was full of troubles, yet he became the father of nations through his faith. We too can find meaning by eschewing lies and manipulation in favor of difficult but liberating truth. No matter how chaotic the outcome, we can trust that this path leads to the most complete life possible.
The call of conscience is the voice of God within us, urging us to truth and fulfillment. Though often difficult, resisting its call can only lead to disaster. In truth alone lies hope. Let us all therefore have the wisdom and courage to speak necessary truths, no matter the storms they bring. The chaos of truth is better than the stagnation of lies.
#truth #lies #progress #peace #conflict #tellthetruth
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Jesus Christ claimed He is Truth , and indeed He is. Having Him in our lives , we are safe from lies that are rampant in this world that we live in.
