The Importance of Truthful Words

 

By Nate Stevens

 

Words matter. Truthful words matter more.

 

I believe we are living in an upside-down world. Evil is good, good is evil; perversity is promoted, morality is criticized (Isaiah 5:20). The vanishing act of truth stuns even the stout-hearted. Who can be trusted? Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” But many people go deeper by asking, “Where is truth?”

 

Such absence of truth shouldn’t surprise us. When asked about the end times (our current times, in my opinion), Jesus cautioned, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4-5). He foresaw this rampant deception and warned against it. The apostle Paul warned of a departure from truth (1 Timothy 4:1). The apostle Peter warned about deceiving speakers (2 Peter 2:1). The apostle John warned about “many deceivers” (2 John 1:7). And we are now living in that reality.

 

Media outlets spin their version of truth. Motivational speakers promote inner truth. Apostate speakers and teachers encourage relative truth. Vague, new meanings blur the true intent of words. Schools bombard children with acceptable offensitivities (See how easy it is? I just made up that word!). Colleges brainwash even young adults with strong faith-based, moral upbringings. Apologies switch from “I am sorry and I was wrong” to “I’m sorry you misunderstood” or “I simply misspoke.” Social media outlets rampantly tout misinformation. Fact-checkers are biased to their slanted narratives. Technology large-language models incorporate their programmers’ biases. Politicians blatantly lie to maintain power. Artificial intelligence enables alternate, though completely deceptive, realities where videos fabricate anyone’s face and lip movements to spout false messages. And who believes any government anymore? Everywhere we turn, who can we trust?

 

And yet … Scripture calls us to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). It also warns, “The simple believe every word, but the prudent considers well his steps” (Proverbs 14:15). Amazingly, Jesus placed a premium on truthful words by confirming personal accountability for every idle word (Matthew 12:36). Maybe this is why wise Solomon cautioned, “Let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

 

As a lists person and an outliner, this leads me to the following three encouragements:

1.)   Let’s not believe everything we see, hear, or read. The apostle John wisely instructed, “Do not believe every spirit, but test [try, prove] the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). It is foolish to accept news reports, social media posts, speeches, anything at face value. Scripture calls those who do so “simple,” meaning silly, seducible, and gullible.

2.)   Wisely research all subject matter before saying, writing, or posting anything. The apostle Paul, a prolific writer himself, said, “Prove [try, test, examine] all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Beyond simply looking for something that aligns with preconceived or preferred mindsets, let’s seek the truth from reliable sources. Even if it confronts us with uncomfortable reality. Prudence demands that we withhold credibility until we “search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).

3.)   Make your words count. If we can learn anything from manipulative deceivers who are everywhere today, it is that words have power. Deceptive words have massive power. But truthful words have divine power. Let’s love people enough to tell them the truth—simply, concisely, effectively, and powerfully. May we be like the prophet Samuel of old where “none of his words fell to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19).

 

Fiction writers, fill your stories with God’s morality and righteousness. Non-fiction writers, saturate what you write with the truth of God’s word. Think, speak, and write the truth, then leave the outcome to God. “Whatsoever things are true … think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

 

Stay blessed, my friends!

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Markus Winkler.

A lifelong student of Scripture, Nate Stevens has also enjoyed a forty-three-year banking career in a variety of leadership roles. He is the author of Matched 4 Life (book and workbook), Deck Time with Jesus, Transformed: Until Christ is Formed in You, Conformed: Into the Likeness of Christ, Informed: Living by God’s Absolute Truth, Surrendered: Yielding to God’s Perfect Will, God’s Secret Place, Accelerate Your Destiny. He is also a contributing author on several of the Moments Books series (Billy Graham Moments, Romantic Moments, Divine Moments, Spoken Moments, Christmas Moments, Stupid Moments, and Broken Moments).

Nate writes online articles for ChristianDevotions.us and KingdomWinds.com as well as several other ministries. Additionally, he co-founded and leads Fusion, a Christian singles ministry. A popular speaker and teacher at conferences, seminars and Bible study groups, he speaks on a wide variety of topics. Nate has two adult children. He and his wife, Karen, live near Charlotte, North Carolina. Follow Nate and find more resources at: www.natestevens.net.