Difference Between Truth and Lie

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
This week, in honor of graduates everywhere, we are considering living intelligently.  This is a special kind of wisdom that does not require a diploma, nor will you necessarily earn a diploma or rewards for living intelligently but you certainly may save yourself some painful experiences! 

There are some definite characteristics of wise people.  The first characteristic of a wise person is: a wise person can discern the difference between right and wrong.  He or she makes the right decisions.

Second, a wise person discerns the difference between truth and lie.
One of the more famous stories surrounding the life and wisdom of Solomon is about two women in conflict who came to him for judgment. Each lived in the same house. Each had given birth to a son. One rolled over on her son during the night, suffocating the baby. So, stealthily she exchanged infants while her friend slept. When morning came, the second woman found a dead infant in her bed but knew it was not her own. The first, of course, claimed innocence and protested that the living baby was hers. Solomon quickly surmised the situation and asked for his sword. "I will give each woman half of the living child," he decreed. One woman protested. "No, let her have him. By no means slay the baby." The other said: "Fair is fair. Kill the child." Solomon immediately awarded custody to the first woman, knowing that a real mother's heart would do anything to save her baby. He was wise enough to discern between truth and lie.

The world is forever campaigning that we accept lies as truth.

1. "Morality is personal, and the rules thus change from individual to individual."

2. "Don't get mad, get even."

3.  "Safe sex." "Soft drugs." "White lies." "New age."

4. "I can worship God just as effectively hiking as I can in church."

5. "It's okay as long as no one gets hurt."

6. "It's not really stealing if their insurance covers it."

7. "Everybody does it."

8. "I'm only human."

Having been heard long enough, those phrases become palatable…Accepted… Baptized by society as the new truth even if they are essentially the old lies.

 What is truth, and how can we know it? We find the answer in Christology. "I am the way, the truth and the life," said Jesus.  Do our catch phrases resonate with his teachings? Is our new ethic consistent with the ethic he taught and preached as recorded in scripture?

Is the bumper sticker, "This vehicle insured by Smith and Wesson," compatible with his words, "Love your enemy, and pray for those who despitefully use you"?

Is our Golden Rule, "Do unto others before they get the chance to do unto you," synonymous with His, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?"

If we want to live wisely, we need to determine the difference between truth and lie. That is only accomplished by listening carefully to Him who said, "I am the way (and) the truth ...."

Scripture to Claim:

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
Proverbs 14:16