The Bee Gee’s did a little known song in the 1960’s entitled, “It’s Only Words.” In that song, one of the brothers Gibb croons,”you think that I don’t mean a single word that I say.” Of course the implication in the song is that his words and his love are true. As a Christian, we have to place a value on the truth and speaking the truth is at the center of that.
Naturally, none of us ever succeeds in never telling a lie. We can have a long stretch of being godly in this respect and then something threatens us in some way and we place truth in second place to that reality. God’s directives are shoved aside. The justifications for our lies can be very elaborate. Is it any wonder that the early nineteenth century Scottish author Sir Walter Scott once said, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”
The elaborate, intricate and delicate nature of a web is probably the perfect analogy for the anatomy of a lie. When I was a child, I would spend copious hours of the day observing nature. Those were the days! I marveled at the amazing shape and beautiful form of each and every spider’s web. Some could be quite large and clearly the spider expended much energy and time creating it.
Do lies take on such an elaborate nature? We seem to be living in an age where all the things that have been called truth are being questioned or thrown out. People are living by whatever truth that they want to. This is even if that truth makes no logical sense or is even criminal. I see churches, nations and our world, building a web of deceit that is very much like a spider’s web. At times citizens feel as if they are caught as prey in these webs of lies.
Is It Only Words when we surrender to the political correct environments in our corporate workplace? Just when we are in the middle of a busy project, or under a firm deadline, an email informs us that we need to take the latest re-education course and make sure to answer each and every question correctly. If we do not, we may not be in good standing and have to go down to the principle’s office otherwise known as Human Resources.
Is It Only Words when we go along with someone asking us to call them “they” or “them” ? What if you will be fired from the hospital or school that you work at if you don’t say what they want you to say? Is it okay then? Here’s a few questions requiring each and every one of us to explore the truth. Is there freedom of speech anymore? Freedom of religion? Is it okay with God to lie if we are in danger? What if someone asks you to get the mark of the beast or else? Do you see the terrible trajectory that we are on?
Romans 8:5-6 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
What of the everyday family dilemmas when we think it okay to tell a tiny lie to our partner? How about bigger lies that we use to cover up drinking, cheating, thefts or worse? In the sphere of parenting there are many lies that a parent justifies telling on behalf of a child. They will lie to a school, coach, pastor or even their spouse for a variety of reasons. Does the truth matter? It’s Only Words to many people.
What are the legal ramifications of our words these days? So many people escape criminal convictions by using the law or lies to shield them from the consequences or their actions and the just punishment that should result. I really believe that many people even believe the lies they tell the court. They are so deeply ensconced in their web of lies that they begin to live in this alternative reality.
The words of that song continue, This world has lost its’ glory, let’s start a brand new story. As this world gets crazier and crazier, it has indeed lost its’ glory, I have begun to see some brave souls rebel against this altered truth. I am surprised to hear some politicians saying the right thing here and there. Some tech giants.Some parents coming down correctly at a school board meeting. And, a friend of mine who was dealing with fearfulness because of all that has been happening is starting bible studies and prayer time at her apartment.
She is discovering that stepping out in faith is the anecdote to fear. The solid ground of God and the Bible are the story and we must build our lives around that no matter how bad things get. We will be persecuted for it. It has happened in my life, has it happened in yours? Yet, as Martin Luther said, Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” Martin Luther based his truth on a thorough reading of the Bible. He saw how the world around him had digressed and ignored the words of the Bible. In putting the Bible into the average person’s hands he was able to give individuals the power to live their faith.
