Here is an observation about this year’s presidential campaign: In the 1990’s, so-called “evangelical Christians” were aghast at the immoral behavior of President Bill Clinton and supported his impeachment by the Republicans because they said he was unfit for the office. Many of the so-called “liberal Christians,” however, defended him, saying his issues were personal. Fast-forward to the present and now it is many “evangelical Christians” defending Donald Trump’s immorality as acceptable because “we’re all sinners,” and the so-called “progressive Christians” calling him unfit because of his past behavior.
Politics over and over again proves the worldly adage, “truth is relative.” Those running for elected office, and those supporting them, tend to use truth when it works to their advantage and avoid it when it doesn’t. The truth in the ‘90’s for one side was that character matters and for the other it was about policy. Today, the argument is the same, but the sides have flipped.
The fact is truth is often quite inconvenient to our plans and ambitions, and to our pride, so we often deny it or twist it. Or in the oft chance truth works in our favor, we will declare it unabashedly. Either way, truth is viewed subjectively. And, thus, instead of experiencing freedom, our use of truth keeps us in bondage.
Jesus says freedom is found in obedience to Him and He is the Source of truth. Lies, therefore, find their source in the “father of lies.” The Truth promises freedom and the Liar seeks to keep us in bondage by avoiding the truth.
We can see this play out every day. Hacked emails reveal what is really going on. Videos reveal what has been hidden. When one knows the truth, but seeks to live a lie, there is bondage. Over my life I have seen many who hide behind lies, terrified that people might know the truth about them. They have kept up the façade of a good marriage, hidden an extramarital affair, denied having a problem with alcohol or drugs, or pretended to have a love for Jesus when they loved the world far more. Hidden, however, are the shackles, the chains of bondage.
The truth is lies can never set us free. They may provide some temporary sense of relief or satisfaction, but they will always hold us in bondage because of the innate fear of being exposed (John 3:20) The only way to freedom is through truth.
Today, are you hiding behind a lie in order to avoid the truth? If so, then know only the truth can set you free. It may be one of the hardest things you’ve ever done, but the freedom will be worth it.
© Jim Musser 2016
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