I’m having trouble telling the truth. No, I don’t have a Facebook scandal to report or an unknown child fathered, nor funds in an offshore locale. I’ve just seen several incidents locally and nationally where people cannot seem to admit the truth. Unless they are shamed, called out or someone else blows the proverbial whistle on them.
Why is telling the truth so hard for us? Some would say we gave up the concept of “truth” a few decades back, that all truth is now relative, based on personal experience rather than an outside objective source and that truth is just a synonym for acting narrow-minded, judgmental or exclusivistic. Maybe in some settings that’s so.
I think we know deep down when we hit what the late Francis Schaeffer once dubbed “true truth.” Gravity, paying taxes, finishing my to-do list or Betty’s next project can only be put off so long.
What I see is that we just don’t like to tell the truth because….we fear the consequences. Consequences? Call it payback, justice, reaping what you sow or just being accountable for acting unwisely.
I fear the truth because I don’t want to face consequences. House repairs, car oil changes, replacing my broken water heater or paying taxes stare me down not as “relative,” but “eventual.” Jesus once said “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.“ Yes, but not if you won’t admit there IS truth to be known, admitted or even welcomed.
So, when you and I are tempted to evade, shade the truth, rationalize, justify what you know to be unhealthy or stiffarm “advice,” let’s all yell at each other “WATCH OUT!” When many products increasingly now contain “warning labels,” I need to ask where’s mine?
Telling the truth, when it’s done in a healthy manner, isn’t condemning, acting aloof or thinking yourself better than others. It means, with apologies to an old tv show, sharing “truth and the consequences,” something I watch my children now share regularly with THEIR children, my treasured grandchildren.
Face what you need to, before others tell you to, if possible. Listen, understand and respond wisely. Admit what you know others know. And find a freedom, a health and a clearer vision of how to live well. It’s called integrity.
As much as I appreciate Facebook, after recent events, you don’t need an errant Facebook shot or one-liner to find you out.
And that’s the truth.
I think the reason we are afraid of the consequences of doing wrong (ike lying) is because we have not yet learned the consequences of keeping it in…
LOVE YOUR POST, Tom.. <3
AA speaks of our success in the program requiring “rigorous honesty.” I can’t think of a better adjective to go in front of honesty. Jack Nicholson’s character in A Few Good Men is asked why he describes danger as “grave danger.” He responds, “is there any other kind?” That’s how I feel about honesty. Is there any other kind of honesty, other than “rigorous honesty?”
Jody, while I am a bit slow to respond to your response, please know I am grateful. Yes, I agree with your “rigorous honesty” assessment!