Speaking the Truth
Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
God, through the Prophet Micah, gave a clear charge to His people. Micah 6:8 may be one of the most familiar and yet most misused Old Testament texts. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The first of the three commands, “do justice” is to do what is right not only when it’s convenient but in all circumstances. Further, the text doesn’t say to do what we think is right. There is an implied prerequisite. One must know what is right before he can do it. What is right is what God has revealed. Micah said, “He has told you, O man, what is good.” That which is good is also true. Jesus said that the word of God is truth (John 17:17b).
Speaking the truth follows directly from the command revealed in Micah; it follows directly from what is good. Yet, it is called “bad form” to expose a false teacher as a liar. Many would say that it’s just not the loving thing to do. Therefore, prosperity teachers and word-faith cult leaders continue to grow in popularity not only with the world but also with professing Christians.
It was almost thirty years ago that Peter Jennings did an investigation of the Evangelical Church called “In the Name of God.” In one segment, the crew filmed a Vineyard Church where the members were rolling on the floor and barking like dogs. In another segment, a mega church pastor in Chicago was interviewed and spoke of their many programs and dramatic skits in place of worship to attract people. The New York Times wrote about this news program calling that kind of mega church “the Walmart of Christianity.” I was shocked in disbelief that some of those who were acting so preposterously and seeking entertainment were professing Christians. It was interesting that a major news agency would see this perverted and selfish behavior as representing Evangelical Christianity.
These types of churches and leaders do not represent evangelical Christianity. In fact, they don’t represent Christianity as described in the Bible. They don’t represent doing what is good, right, and true. Even assuming that their motivations are sincere, they have suppressed the truth of God’s word.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus concerning this approach. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). So as to acknowledge the context of this passage, it is preceded by the following. “… Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. “ Ephesians 5:8-11.
Jesus said His disciples are salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-18). The means His people are people of truth. Those who know the truth are accountable to proclaim it, as Paul wrote, “Take no part in unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Christians are accountable for what they hear. We are called to discern truth from error. We are responsible to expose error. In order to be able to discern the truth, we must be “people of the book,” the Bible. The Psalmist declared that the word of God is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The word of God, the Bible, is “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).
As a Christian Pastor, I believe that what we know to be true concerning the Christian faith must be lived in the church and carried into the public sphere. It is loving to speak the truth. Truth and love go hand in hand. Likewise, it is not a low road morally to expose a liar. Christians are to be people of integrity. People of integrity don’t ignore false teaching when they hear it.
Every local church is accountable to God to teach the truth of God’s word. May you be in such a church that equips you to be salt and light, teaching you the truth of God’s word. May you be able to live wisely for the glory of God, always speaking the truth in love!
