“What is truth?” – Pontius Pilate in John 18:38.
It has been easy to see the depth of sin in men’s hearts from the news and images that flooded out of Washington D.C. yesterday. We saw violence, disregard for law and order, and even death. But right in front of all our eyes has been the oft-ignored and overlooked sin that started and encompassed it all: the lies.
From the beginning of his presidency, Donald Trump has declared war on “fake news” and spouted conspiracy theories. In recent months, we have heard him continue to lie about the 2020 election results, even though there has been no proof of widespread voter fraud.
And on January 6, we witnessed the consequences of these lies. Protestors who gathered to hear Trump egg them on with more lies and conspiracy theories became a frenzied mob that broke windows, attacked law enforcement officials, and charged into the U.S. Capitol building, where Congress was convening to count Electoral College votes.
The actions that took place on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and in its halls were the culmination of a lie that the American election was stolen. Our nation experienced the real power of lies.
Lies are invisible. They are intangible. But lies are real. They have consequences. They cause tangible damage.
As Christians, we know how God feels about lies.
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV)
Even new and non-Christians know that it was deception by the serpent that ensnared Adam and Eve. A lie about God slunk its way into their minds and they chose to believe it rather than the words of God, leading to the fall of man. Now the ability to ignore truth resides within all our sinful hearts and is set loose through our corrupted tongues.
Christians, we of all people know the real danger of lies. So we the Church must combat lies with truth. I fear we are not doing enough to emphasize this, and this is leading to the deterioration of not only our country, but our Christian witness.
This election cycle has revealed the troubling reality that there is more than one lie that has infected our nation. Here are a handful that come to mind:
- “America needs to come first”
- “The character of our leaders do not matter”
- “Individual choices do not matter so my action/inaction is excusable”
- “My personal well-being matters more than the well-being of my neighbors”
- America is superior to other countries in every way”
- “A political leader or party can save us”
- “Keeping the peace is more important than saying the truth”
Christians, especially those who recently immigrated or whose parents were immigrants. It can be difficult to feel like we have a voice in America or in the American system. It feels like we can only observe, but not influence. So we often distance ourselves from “American” issues and disengage from politics.
But we must actively combat that lie. God has made us residents and citizens of this country. He has given us tangible ways to love our neighbors: with our voices, vocations, and votes. He has afforded us the privilege to show his glory through the stewardship of our American citizenship. He wants us to fight for the marginalized, the widow, the orphan, and the poor, which requires seeking and speaking the truth.
Now we all know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). But “the truth” part often gets overlooked within this famous verse, so let us emphasize it again. Jesus is the truth. There is no shadow or deceit in him.
So when Christians fail to root out lies and ignore falsehood, we ultimately distort the truth of the Gospel and our Savior. The world will no longer look to the church for moral guidance. The witness of our church will be compromised. Rather than shining the light of Christ, we will be hiding it under a bushel.
But we do not do this without guidance. See the example of our Savior. He spoke truth to those in power, even in the face of certain death before both the High Priest and Pontius Pilate. But he also spoke truth to those who felt small and insignificant, telling women, lepers, and sinners that their sins are forgiven and to, “Go and sin no more.”
If we are God’s image-bearers, then we must also bear witness to his truth and imitate his actions of speaking truth in love. And we do this, knowing that the Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of Truth, resides in us and guides us in all circumstances.
Christians, can we do this? In a world full of accusations of “fake news” and the proliferation of conspiracies, can we be bold truth-bearers? Will we have the moral courage to speak the truth, especially when it is hard? Will we have the moral fortitude to fight against lies?
Church, let us speak the truth in love, as Christ did, to all we meet, even if we are afraid. Let us show that we are children of truth, and not children of the deceiver.
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32 ESV)