Do you have a simple and accurate definition of truth by which all communication can be measured? Consider this definition: Truth means to bring everything to light.
Bringing everything to light includes all of the following:
- no pretense or deception
- sincerity, honesty, no hint of corruption
- openness with regard to personal preconceptions and biases
- lack of concealment in all aspects of any subject or project under consideration
- eagerness to discover everything related to a subject being evaluated
- all related facts are displayed, not simply those that lead to a biased conclusion
- decisions are based on a consideration of all facts, not feelings or personal preferences
Bringing everything to light is also related to “doing” rather than highlighting verbal skills and perceived intellectual prowess. Bringing everything to light is always accompanied by comments and actions that are in stark contrast to deception or concealment. When bringing everything to light reigns, the “end does not justify the means” but instead, the “means—bringing everything to light—will justify the end.”
Trying to determine truth is a formidable task when bringing everything to light is avoided. When everything is not brought to light, the substitution of “Truth is in the eye of the beholder” takes center stage.
In reality, “truth is in the eye of the beholder” is completely unnecessary if bringing everything to light is the basis for determining truth. The “eye of the beholder” concept also introduces a significant obstacle if bringing everything to light is to be accomplished. That obstacle is the natural self-centeredness (pride) of every person. When “self” dominates the announced quest for truth in any subject, then bringing everything to light is impossible. This means that “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” will not be revealed.
Self-centered people cannot help allowing personal perspectives to impact every consideration. The self-inspired “spin” inevitably leads to false (incomplete, distorted, or prearranged) conclusions. Self-oriented people will not bring anything to light that will expose their inherent pride, even if it means twisting or hiding relevant facts on very significant issues. As a result, lying—not bringing everything to light—is inevitable when self-centered people are left to their own devices.
Unless a person is transformed from within (a dramatic character change), lying is a way of life that colors every relationship and endeavor to some degree.
Basically, if a person or group avoids, conceals, or distorts any aspect of a problem or challenge and then provides an answer, that answer is a lie. A lie is an inevitable result when everything is not brought to light.
When part of the truth is deliberately withheld, some people have difficulty in describing that deception as a lie. Instead, “half-truth” is a “less offensive” term that many use to describe such deceit. In reality, a “half-truth” is a lie since everything is not brought to light.
The key to bringing everything to light in order to achieve “truth-full” conclusions is not accomplished by having naturally self-oriented people work harder to reveal or communicate truth. Predictably, self-oriented people work diligently to hide truth (not bring everything to light) in order to get their own way or to make themselves “look better.” Additionally, people are so naturally self-centered that they cannot accurately see this detriment and, given a chance to evaluate that condition, they will often avoid it.
In light of the challenges that confront each of us in our personal lives and relationships—not to mention the many issues in politics, religion, science, education, and international concerns—wouldn’t it be comforting to know that bringing everything to light was the regular routine for truth to be determined? That would truly be good news. On the other hand, since “self” naturally dominates any aspect of life apart from God’s intervention, the global practice of bringing everything to light can be hoped for, but it won’t happen. Across the globe, self-interest rules. Predictably, when the “me, myself, and I” tyrant is on the throne, bringing everything to light (determining truth) stays in a locked box.
Does that conclusion of “truth in a locked box” sound hopeless? Globally, it is. Personally, it doesn’t have to be. Not one of us has any control over others’ attempts to keep the light switch of truth in the “on” or “off” position. Each of us can, however, ask God for His help in bringing everything to light in every area of our own lives and relationships.
Truth provides clear guidelines for everyday life and relationships as well as gives hope for the life to come. When anyone faithfully responds to this Truth, initially by believing in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16) which is followed by loving obedience to biblical truth (1 John 5:3), then all aspects of life will simply be opportunities whereby everything is consistently brought to light.
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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 5:3, For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.
For further study on this topic, see also: Truth is Personal, Not Merely a Concept; “Spin”—The Acceptable Lie; Truth; Unmasking Lies that Masquerade as Truth
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Telling the Truth is Naturally Impossible © 2010 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net
Verses from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version © 2001Version by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers