The difference between fiction and real life is that the fiction writer is pretty much in control of her own self-created characters, their actions, and the consequences of those actions, just as there are consequences for every action in real life — good and bad consequences that can be life threatening.
Giving someone the wrong amount of a medication can kill them; making the wrong job choices, or investment decisions can impoverish a family; the wrong directions will take you where you do not intend to go; and immoral choices like lying, or being unfaithful in marriage, or killing a pre-born child, can result in the destruction of an entire family. This is why an informed conscience is necessary. And this is why we have to look for absolute truths, not relative truths, to guide us.
TRUTH MATTERS – especially when it concerns a whole country on the receiving end of slanderous lies meant to destroy. And those kinds of lies, when we accept them, WILL destroy us–personally and as a people.
The constant refrain of lies spouted by some politicians on what ought to be news platforms, but are now only concealers for those who call themselves ‘leaders.’ These politicians wear false masks, speak false words, and deliberately lie to the American people to keep their own dire deeds concealed.
We need to be engaged. We do not need to be stuck in the middle of a grey cloud presently obscuring the brightness of Truth –because Truth will prevail. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. –Luke 8:17
Life goes by quickly and we will all be called to account –politicians included.
Are you certain what you say is the Truth? If you are not certain, then Do Not Speak. That’s more than just common sense, it’s a human being’s responsibility toward others.
A human characteristic is the ability to speak, to converse, to give instruction, to make our opinions known. We talk. We use our tongues–sometimes without thinking, and sometimes very intentionally.
Our speech is directed to another, a listener. The listener may be a child, a friend, a family member, or a stranger in the grocery store. Regardless of who or where, what we say to each other matters. Speech is a gift to be used with care. I would suggest loving care, though I’m often guilty of overlooking that.
“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” — Matthew 12:36
Wow! That’s a lot of personal responsibility.
Yet what we say to each other is not always done with words. Our actions speak for us as well. How do our actions speak to our vulnerable children, or the friends and family who learn from us? Aren’t we especially responsible for our actions as parents and teachers, leaders and co-workers? Do we practice what we preach? Again, many of us often fall far short of that. It’s a good thing we have personal control over what we do, and if needed, the ability to correct ourselves.
There are times though, when we’re not the ‘speakers’ or the ‘doers,’ but the receivers, the targets of speech and action. Over this, we have little control, and no doubt the voices and actions are loud from those with agendas which they will lie to preserve. This includes the news media, and of course, politicians.
Except each of these segments are made up of individuals like us. Are these individuals any less responsible than us for what they say today’s world? Shouldn’t they be TRUTHFUL? Don’t they, too, have the ability to correct themselves? Or have greed and power –the two prime motivators for LYING–overtaken them completely?
Words and actions by those in prominent places can make or break this country. Are they ready to take responsibility?
Will the words and actions they use as weapons against others be ignored, or inevitably condemned by those they are supposed to serve?
Jesus says, The devil was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks according to his own nature, he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44).
Beware. The devil is on the doorstep now. What are we going to do about it?
We must form our conscience and the consciences of our children to perceive absolute truths that will guide us throughout our lives until the day of our death. Because Eternity is an awfully long time to be wrong.
Translating a World on the Edge 