Search results for: truth and deception

The Gospel & Authentic Storytelling - Marcus Goodyear

Storytelling requires great care and integrity. We talk about telling stories with kindness, authenticity, and a love for God and others.

Best of Daily Reflections: A Simple Plan for Honest Living

“We’ll have to be careful. From now on that’s what we’ll have to be—very careful.”

Best of Daily Reflections: The Crack in Human Character

When Jesus forbids swearing falsely, he isn’t referring to cursing, but to making deceptive promises. Human beings are experts in the fine...

Best of Daily Reflections: What Really Matters to God

Every time I read Psalm 50, I am startled. In this psalm, God recognizes that the Israelites are properly offering the sacrifices...

Speaking the Truth from the Heart

My daughter, Kara, has always been one to speak the truth.

Praise and a Sword?

Psalm 149:6 is one of many verses in the Psalms that can, at first, startle or even shock us.

Best of Daily Reflections: The Ninth Commandment: Don’t Lie

The original Hebrew of the ninth commandment reflects a judicial setting. Specifically, this verse refers to lying in the context of a...

Truth Stumbles in the Streets

I’m struck by the phrase, “Truth stumbles in the streets.” A more literal translation would read: “Truth totters in the square.”

Imitation

I was 14 when I made my first speech without using notes.

Truth, Honesty, and Deception in the Workplace (Overview)

Do Christians always have to tell the truth, even at work?

Truthtelling in the Bible

Truthtelling is the Norm in the Bible

As is apparent by simply listing key biblical passages that speak to this subject, honesty and telling the truth are highly valued...

Exceptions to Truthtelling in the Bible

God holds truth and love together in a perfect marriage. When they are married, there is no conflict. When they are sundered...

Why Truthtelling Is Important

Besides emulating the character of God, truthtelling is critical for a flourishing society. Therefore, except in rare circumstances, God mandates it. Though God’s command would be a sufficient motivation, theologians and philosophers have...

Authentic Communication Requires Truthtelling

Truthtelling is essential for authentic communication to occur, and makes genuine interaction between people possible. That is, if truth were not expected...

Trust and Cooperation Require Truthtelling

Truthtelling builds trust and civil cooperation among human beings. Trust is critical for a prosperous society, and being a person of one’s...

Human Dignity Requires Truthtelling

Truthtelling treats people with dignity. To tell someone the truth is a measure of respect that is missing when someone is lied...

Truthtelling in the Workplace

Financial Statements Must Tell the Truth

A prime example of the role of truthtelling in the workplace is the preparation of financial statements by businesses, governments, churches, non-profit...

There May Be Exceptions to Truthtelling in the Workplace

Though it is clear that the default position is to tell the truth, even in Scripture, that is not considered a total...

Puffery/Exaggeration

Much of contemporary advertising falls into the category of what may be referred to as “harmless puffery.” This may apply both to the text of an advertisement as well as to the image...

White Lies

“White lies” are lies that are meant to smooth discourse or deflect minor conflict, supposedly without doing harm to anyone. For example, if you are late to a meeting, it is often tempting...

Bluffing

One of the most common violations of truthtelling in the work world is bluffing or what some call, “mutual deceits.”[1] Bluffing may be legitimate when all the parties understand that the truth is...

When Someone Has No Right to the Truth

Another category of possible exceptions to the norm of truthtelling is when the person asking the questions has no right to the...

Deception to Obtain Information You Have a Right to Know

There are situations in which deception is necessary to obtain information an organization has a right to know. This essentially takes an...

Information You Have No Right to Know

Until now we have been discussing deception to obtain information you have a right to know. This is different from corporate espionage...

Social Implications of Protecting Information Others Have No Right to Know

These discussions about the legitimacy of some deception when another party has no right to know may...

Conclusions About Truth & Deception

We should not ask, “Is this justifiable?” but instead, “Is this how things will be done when God’s kingdom comes?”

Key Biblical Texts on Truth & Deception

Verses Themes Gen. 3:13 The serpent tricked me. Deception/Deceit/Deceive Gen. 29:25 Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have...

Small Group Studies