The world that we live has many demands. Each day we are called to do our part in making this world a better place. We are asked to give blood, share food, donate money, reduce solid waste, and conserve energy. Yet, there is one thing I haven’t been asked -tell the truth.
I know this might seem an old argument but in light of recent events it remains important. No one seems to be telling anyone the truth. I won’t say ‘anymore’ because honesty has seldom been viewed as virtuous. It almost seems like a passing fad.
When something particularly sneaky occurs some may cry “rascal”. When a public official is caught many will cry ”corruption”. When governments act unseemly everyone cries “foul”. Yet, when people are asked to answer these charges everyone is “silent”. No one wants to give an honest answer to the accusation of dishonesty. Even when all the signs of dishonesty, cover up, exaggeration, wordplay, contradictions are evident. When everything become less ‘newsworthy’ no seems to care.
In this globalized society, we can no longer hope the affects of dishonesty will fade. We are too interdependent on one another. The affects of the savings and loans scandals, Enron, and the current credit crisis have hurt everyone . Some more than others.
I know how naive this sounds, but would a little more honesty be too much to ask? Before you roll your eyes, I know we don’t live in an ideal world. But if we don’t hold people accountable for dishonesty will anyone remember the truth at all? The lies will sound like truth and the truth as a lie. (Isaiah 5:20-21)
As I was reading in Ephesians 5:10-13 I realized a powerful truth. The truth is that ‘I am a light that keeps the darkness at bay.’ That statement holds truth for me on several levels. But that truth isn’t just for me it is for everyone. We each have the responsibility not only to tell the truth but to discover the truth for ourselves. We can no longer expect anyone to be honest with us. While some might not deliberately withhold the truth they are not as forthcoming. Hopefully, our family and closest friends would be honest with us.
So, what is to be done? First, there is a ‘right and wrong’. Second, telling the truth should be expected. Third, honest is about respect for yourself and others. If honesty isn’t or can’t be our normal way of life then we will always live in a shallow and helpless world.
