The Almighty really, really hates lies. We could cite dozens of places He says so. Here’s just one: “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 12:22) But let’s not spend time on the negative—let’s concentrate on the positive, speaking the truth.
Speaking the truth is what the Almighty Himself does. He sets the standard.
I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right. (Isaiah 45:19)
Notice: Speaking the truth includes not keeping it secret—hiding what is true would be a form of lying. And also, speaking the truth means speaking what is right, not merely what is technically accurate.
The Lord calls us to this same standard:
These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace.” (Zechariah 8:16)
Speaking the truth not only means not giving false testimony (whether formally in court, or in gossip). What we speak should be not only true, but should make for peace.
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue…(Psalm 15:1-3)
Sojourning in God’s tent, dwelling on His holy hill—these are poetic ways of talking about salvation. Who will gain it? Those whose behavior is right, and who speak truth—even privately in their own heart. Fairness, honesty, truthfulness inside. Instead of what our flesh would lead us to—assuming the worst, or creating false scenarios in our mind.
On a few occasions, Paul says something like, “In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!” (Galatians 1:20) It’s too bad he had to say this, but people were twisting his words and making false accusations against him. It could happen that we are slandered as he was. I think we can follow his example and give assurance of our truthfulness. And stop there—we don’t go on the offensive or retaliate. Just stick to what’s true.
Here’s a critical aspect of speaking the truth, emphasized twice in the same chapter:
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ… Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:15 & 25)
Speaking the truth is part of growing up into the measure of Christ. This certainly includes sharing the true hope of the gospel, not keeping silent about it. Remember—this is what God says He does. He doesn’t keep it secret, he declares what is right. We are called to do the same. Who is our “neighbor” with whom we are to speak the truth? Surely, as Jesus taught, it’s everyone. But in particular Paul says our neighbors are those who are “members one of another”. In other words, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This isn’t the only place Paul says something like this. For example: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.” (Colossians 3:9) Is this a real problem among brothers and sisters? Based on the number of passages that deplore slander and gossip, I think it must be a failing we need to beware of. We are susceptible to it. Truthfulness has to begin with ourselves.
Bottom line, speaking the truth definitely includes voicing the true gospel message. But it doesn’t stop there. It includes speaking what is right, what makes for peace, what is loving and contributes to our brothers’ and sisters’ growth. We want to “dwell on God’s holy hill,” don’t we? It’s imperative that we speak the truth, beginning in our own heart and mind.
Love, Paul