Faith Over Fear of the FutureSample

In a World of Deception, BE HONEST

Truth matters today more than ever.

Do you trust that the news stories you see on television or shared on social media are accurate reflections of objective reality? Do you trust that the people in elected office will fulfill their promises? Do you trust your boss, your employees, your friends, and your family to tell you the truth at all times?

Why is it that we feel we can’t trust anyone anymore? Because our culture has decided that truth doesn’t matter. That it is subjective, even arbitrary. That as long as you’re not hurting anyone, it’s okay to tell a white lie here, stretch the truth there, and outright deceive others when deemed necessary.

Deception is a frequent topic in Scripture. It begins in the garden of Eden when Eve said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13). At the other end of the Bible, we read something similar: “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10).

Think of it: the master deceiver—Satan—enters the picture three chapters into the Bible, and he is cast into the lake of fire three chapters from the end of the Bible. From Eden to the end, he’s been spinning webs of deception and smothering our world.

In Matthew 24, Jesus warns His followers to be aware of those who would purport to come in His name and yet deceive the people, and history is littered with examples of people claiming to be some kind of Messiah or savior. In every case, their lies and self-delusion come to nothing. But one day, Christ will return. And we, His people, must be able to tell the true Christ from the antichrists.

In the world of the end, we see the erosion of the concept of capital T Truth reaching its zenith. So how can we separate the truth from the lies, the godly influences in our lives, from the ungodly? We must be able to rightly discern God’s truth—and to have the boldness to both proclaim and live it.

The apostle John wrote, “I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John vv. 3–4).

Let’s be the truth. This is what I know: as we ease into the deceptive days Jesus told us about in Matthew 24, the world is watching. It’s time for us to be honest!