Did he lie? Or was he just embellishing the truth a bit? Yes! The network has given itself six months by way of suspension without pay to ascertain whether their news anchor can reestablish a level of credibility that is evidently a plus for those reporting the prime time news. Maybe it is no big deal. We’ll see.
The dad had talked a lot about his high school football days as he coached his son’s teams over the years. He spoke of how hard he had worked to make a very competitive team and, as a wide receiver had caught a number of touchdown passes during a great senior year. Then, one of his football playing buddies called and said he would be in town for business and would like to meet his family. They had not seen each other for a number of years. The son was excited because he had heard a lot about his dad’s friend – he was the star quarterback and went on to play football in college. He wanted to hear more stories about their football playing days. Dad was a little nervous about his old high school buddy’s visit. He knew how much he had embellished his football prowess and was convicted that his son should not hear it first from someone else. The facts were that he had never caught a touchdown pass as he said he had. He was on the team, which was a feat in itself but he did not get any significant playing time throughout his high school career and did not have one reception to his name. He took his son out for a hamburger where they could talk. He confessed that he had embellished the truth which is the same as lying and asked his son if he would forgive him. His son said, “Sure Dad. It’s no big deal.” The dad responded, “Yes, son, it is a big deal.” And they had a great discussion around confessing, forgiving and the importance of staying in the truth.
“In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. – John 18:37b-38a. Truth had been compromised to the point of no return for Pilate. Once truth is compromised, there are no absolutes. Without absolutes, there is no foundation and without a foundation, all becomes relative to what one feels to be right. The spiral down can be quick for individuals and a society. Jesus blasted through all that proclaiming, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn.14:6). And everyone on the side of truth listens to Him. The call is for men to stay in the Truth, to not turn to the right or to the left.
Tips to Stay In Truth:
- Read scripture first rattle out of the box in the morning to start every day in Truth;
- Accurately represent your experiences on life’s journey;
- Be your own good judge so you will not be judged later;
- Engage a battle buddy for mutual accountability on staying in Truth.
Prayer guide: Lord, I confess that I have compromised truth, embellished truth and twisted truth for selfish reasons. I even justified my actions in self-righteousness. The spiral down in untruth is not where I want to be. Forgive me for the choices I have made that opened the door to this scheme, one of the devil’s best, and shine Your Light through the shadows I have allowed into my life. I accept responsibility this day to stay in Truth and turn to You and the battle buddies you have brought into my life to stay clean of the lies that knock on the door every day, by Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.
A faithful father stays in Truth before the sun comes up and throughout each day.
