Today's Devotional

October 8, 2002

Subject:  The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But

Hebrews 4:13 - "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

So there are lies - little white lies and bold-faced lies.  At least that's the way some see it.  However, from God's viewpoint, there is only one truth and it's components are made up of the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  So while "the whole truth" says that we do not intentionally withhold information when asked for it; "nothing but the truth" means that we are not to attempt to focus the issue elsewhere.  To not own up to our responsibility and deal with the issue at hand is less than the truth.

Now what if this principle were upheld in our courts today.  It would sound something like this.

"Sir did you commit this heinous crime for which you are being tried?"

"Well your honor, as a child I was abused and..."

"Perjurer!  Because you have violated your sworn statement to tell "nothing but the truth," which in this case was a yes or no answer, you are convicted of the accused crime."

Boy the ACLU would have a field day with that one.  However, God sees our diversions from His truthfulness as sinful and we ought to live our lives in the light of His standard of truth because nothing but His truth will do.

Carlen