Truth

Looking for a reason to accuse (3:2)

The ninth commandment, thou shalt not bear false witness, is often translated as 'do not lie', with good reason. Jesus is particularly hot on not lying, calling the devil the father of lies. Immanuel Kant, the philosopher, uses the concept of absolute honesty to explain his idea of an essence or foundation to morality. However, absolute honesty is also the subject of simple humour, such as Jim Carrey's film Liar, Liar, which suggests there is some element of nuancing when it comes to telling the truth, and the ninth commandment is no exception. It is set within the context of a court of law, so the truth-telling here is connected to its consequence. If it - not telling the truth - gets you out of trouble or, more significantly, someone else into trouble, then don't do it. It is a ban on 'it wasn't me' not on 'that's a beautiful dress'. 

So when the Pharisees were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, even if the reason could be considered true, they were rushing into conflict with the fundamental principles of their faith. Likewise, however honest we may think we are being, when we set out to bring someone down, it is far more than mere nastiness that we are displaying, but a straying from the basic rules of moral existence. And the antidote? Well, try these words of Paul's: 'whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things'.



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