“Always tell the truth and love it.”
This statement focuses on the truth rather than the lie, and the desires of our heart, both principles being essential to our correct understanding and application of the 9th commandment.
This week we will look at the 9th Commandment from several perspectives that will open our understanding to the importance of truth in word and deed, in belief in God and in our dealings with people.
To begin with, it is most critical to understand that truth is a characteristic of God and words are powerful. The truth which lives in God is the beginning and end of all creation.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1
If the word is God, than all words that are not from God, that are in opposition to the words of God, are lies and deceit. If the power to create and give life are in the word of God, then the words of Satan have power to destroy and kill the soul. One is light. One is dark.
There is no deceit in God.
In opposition to God is the “father of lies,” the Devil himself. There is no truth in him and all his words are deceit.
In this study we will highlight the truth in opposition to the lie, and vice versa. We will learn about the power of speech and action in keeping this commandment. We will also see the many ways this commandment has been stated and the words associated with it.
As we study we will seek to understand the significance of “bearing false witness,” including our duty to God to be a witness in word and deed. We will look at the deceit that is practiced in false preaching among those who swear by the name of God falsely. And finally, we will look at the nature and types of lying.
Let’s get started!!
“To even the careful student of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Savior’s admonition to be “even as I am” is daunting and seemingly unattainable. Perhaps you are like me—all too aware of your faults and failings, so you may find it mentally more comfortable to walk a path with no upward incline and little growth. “Surely, this teaching is unrealistic and hyperbole,” we rationalize as we comfortably choose the course of least resistance, thereby burning fewer calories of needed change.”
“But what if becoming “even as [He is]” is not figurative, even in our mortal condition? What if it is, to some degree, attainable in this life and, indeed, a prerequisite to being with Him again? What if “even as I am” is exactly and precisely what is meant by the Savior? Then what? What level of effort would we be willing to give to invite His miraculous power into our lives so that we can change our very nature?” — Scott D. Whiting, “Becoming Like Him”
This becoming as He is, is not a perfect becoming until it is received in its fullness as a gift to all those who are valiant in the testimony of Christ in this world, but that is not to say that the becoming like Christ has no place in our spiritual work and progression in Mortal life. In fact, scripture teaches that this seeking Christ and striving with Christ to walk in His way is an essential component of being counted among those who will enter in at the gate and receive the gifts pertaining to eternal life.
As we progress in this life, we become more complete, finished, and fully developed. This development is a becoming. What are we becoming? As He is. Such teaching is not based on any one sect’s doctrines but comes directly from the Master Himself. Among those characteristics that define the very nature of God, and therefore the nature we seek to emulate, is that there is no deceit in him, for “he cannot lie.”
“Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie.” — Either 3:12, Book of Mormon
The central principle of the 9th commandment is that God does not lie and therefore neither should we. This truth is something that should exist in us as it exists in God, in word and deed, an unalienable part of our nature.
“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” — 1 John 2:5-6
This is discipleship, to hear Him, seek Him, and become like Him. We take upon us the name of Christ with purpose and intent to be transformed, to become children of Christ, reborn in him; anything less than this whole hearted discipleship cannot activate the atoning powers to sanctify us.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: Beloved, now are we the sons of God… we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” — 1 John 3:1-2
Thus we are commanded to “put off” the natural man “and be renewed in the spirit… that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:22-27)
Is it possible? Can we in this life progress toward perfection and become new?
Neal A. Maxwell taught: “As we ponder having been commanded by Jesus to become like Him, we see that our present circumstance is one in which we are not necessarily wicked, but, rather, is one in which we are so half-hearted and so lacking in enthusiasm for His cause—which is our cause, too! We extol but seldom emulate Him.” A young minister, Charles M. Sheldon, expressed similar sentiments this way: “Our Christianity loves its ease and comfort too well to take up anything so rough and heavy as a cross.”
It is no surprise then that the limiting factor lies in our belief, but we can plead as the father who sought healing for his child, “help though my unbelief,” (Mark 9:24) and surely He will do it, for “God is not a man, that he should lie… hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19) In the keeping of Gods commandments we seek to become as Christ is, to live and abound in truth, that we may be like him.
“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates.” — Zachariah 8:16
“A righteous man hateth lying.” — Proverbs 13:5
“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.” — Proverbs 12:22
“The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth…” — Zephaniah 3:13
“For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.” — Isaiah 63:8
No comments:
Post a Comment