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The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
-2 John 1-2, NIV
Last Sunday was Pentecost. In the sermon I talked about the Holy Spirit -- which Jesus called “the Spirit of Truth” in John's gospel. The words above are from our passage from 2 John for this week's sermon -- which also talk about truth. Lewis Smedes, an ethics professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, talks about what it means to tell the truth. One of the sources of wisdom he used to explain what it meant to tell the truth was Aristotle. Smedes conveyed Aristotle's definition of “telling the truth” in this way: It is telling the right truth to the right person at the right time in the right way for the right reason.
Each part of that definition speaks to some aspect of telling the truth. For example, in telling the right truth -- we may realize that we know something that is true, but it may not be our information to share. This is where confidentiality guidelines may apply. Also, we may know a truth, but it may not be our truth to share with a particular person who “can’t handle the truth.” Someone may have entrusted a truth to us to give to one person, but it would be wrong for us to share it with another.
When it comes to telling the truth at the right time, this considers what is going on in the life of the hearer. What we may need to share is true, but the timing may not be right. When it comes to sharing truth in the right way, there are times we can share truth so that it builds up, or so that it tears down. And finally, for the right reason means that we share truth that would reflect our love of God and neighbor.
Some of us may find that too complex or difficult, but I have found these guidelines helpful when it comes to knowing the best and the right way to tell the truth. However, as Christians, we not only try to tell the truth, we also believe in THE truth -- Jesus the Christ – whose Spirit lives within us!
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