Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Connecting Point: Just One Drop

For a moment, picture yourself as Bob Ross or Picasso and on your palette there is only white and black paint. No matter how many times you mix the two colors together the results will always be a shade of gray. One drop of black dramatically changes the tone of the white, never to be pure white again. Many remark that we are living in a gray world, asserting that truth is often canceled. I, for one, believe truth still matters.

Wholesome virtues have been part of human society: truth versus deceit is a long standing battle. The noble trait of truthfulness is still admirable even if some try to make matters gray. One drop of deceit always dilutes truth. As each day passes keep in mind of what’s occurring in our society, subtlety can be our worst enemy.

The Bible provides ample warnings of the dangers associated with deceitfulness. Proverbs 12:5 reads, “The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.” Likewise Proverbs 12:7 states, “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.” Deceit creates mistrust and confusion.

One standout example of a person who was deceitful in the Bible is Jacob, even at birth. According to Strong’s, a prominent word study tool, the Hebrew word translated “deceitful” stems from the same root word for Jacob. Only used three times in the Old Testament, the word conveys a swelling or humping up like with a small hill or knoll. In respect to character traits, this coincides with a person who has inflated pride or exhibits

self-serving behavior. Fortunately, Jacob nearly twenty years later was able to make things right with his brother and God.

Truthfulness is a character trait which is most definitely needed today. Timothy was a protégé of Paul’s; he was charged with a task in continuing the teachings of Christ. Paul warns of the persecution and suffering associated with following Jesus, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus,” (2 Timothy 3:12-15).

Why is truth important? My point is rather simple; evil and deceitfulness are very present. People will continue to use deceit to trample over others. Standing up for truth is never easy. Then again, as Christians we shouldn’t shy away from struggle, it’s expected. Don’t give up on truth!

 

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