I have been struggling along with some of our friends here in Panama over truth the last few months. I think I have always felt that truth was more important than anything else, and sacrificing truth for the greater good wasn't really a concept that could exist. I have been challenged over the last months and wanted to pose the question to all of you that read my blog. I am thinking in more of a Evangelism, Bible-understanding point of view, but please feel free to answer the questions I pose with world examples as well. Also, the questions may seem simple but to me they are very deep and pivotal to how we live our lives day to day. Please answer with care.
What is more important?
Telling truth vs. keeping the peace
Telling truth vs. maintaining hope (possibly false hope)
Telling the truth vs. Getting people in the door however you can with the intention of telling the truth later. (evangelism idea, but can be applied elsewhere, like politics)
When does telling the truth become an UN-loving thing to do? I believe truth is absolute. Do you? Is truth the end or the means? Where do you find truth? In God's word? Inside yourself? What's your foundation of truth?
I would love to have as many responses to this blog as possible!
In Christ,
Jon
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5 comments:
Hey Jon
First you are an awesome son in law. Thanks for being that. That is truth!:>
Truth hurts but truth heals. The truth shall set you free.
Context is everything. In relationships, the truth will eventually surface. Better to put it on the table than let it be a hindrance to any future?
Peace at the expense of authenticity is relevant. Peace in a family, a government?
Truth with solutions (or an attempt at solutions) bring hope.
Getting people in the door should be based on being able to speak truth upfront or later. But to trap someone, ambush them to speak truth (like multi level marketing) don't like it.
On my face book last week I wrote, "More than ever before, people are looking for authenticity in oour lives. Our message is what we live and what they see."
Truth is a journey. It leads to other doors. If the truth be known, the greatest of man is not what he does when the world is watching, it is when noone is watching.
Josh,thanks for asking. Basically, I'm thinking of truth as the ultimate goal and basis for our lives. I've been debating a lot about when it is appropriate to tell the truth, when it could hurt someone, but it's still the truth. This has been a part of almost all the conversations I have had lately...concerning sin, evangelism, family issues, politics, to telling someone that they need to take a shower...
Also, the numbers on American Christianity our oustandingly saying that American Christianity doesn't not know the truth of the Bible and what it means to have a Biblical Worldview. According to a recent study only 9% of American Christians actually ascribe to a Biblical worldview.
I'm nervous any one of the current politicians running for Pres and VP could be lying to us right now to only later reveal their true intentions...
I'm wondering how we can change our culture to value truth over immediate gratification.
Tom,
Thanks for posting! I appreciate your comments and insight. Could you clarify "peace at the expense of authenticity is relevant" for me? As in peace is not worth sacrificing authenticity or the other way around? Can you give me an example?
Hey Jon
Could you clarify "peace at the expense of authenticity is relevant" for me? As in peace is not worth sacrificing authenticity or the other way around? Can you give me an example?
I guess I am talking about being real. At what point do you (I, we) say that we are uncomfortablwe with a situation when we always end up frustrated if we don't? Are we saving peace or denyig a reality that does not necessarily need to be confronted but you (I, we) do not have to support or acquiece to. If I wore a speedo to the mall, I would think someone would either say something and/or not hang with me. By the way, when you are in town,let's go shopping! :> Don't worry.
Principled centered leadership that says truth is important is the high road. Having and knowing truth is probably a navigation of wisdom, handling when to speak to it or act on it, especially family issues. I am learning to let some things go. I feel I know truth sometimes but it is not my responsibility to be the truth policeman, Prayer becomes huge.
The truth of the matter is I am rambling on a wonderful suject. Can you more specific?
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