Speaking the truth…
in Love.
Or these days, on facebook.
We all grew up hearing “thou shall not lie” is one of the big ten. (here is a whole list if you need a refresher)– but when I was writing this, I realized that isn’t what Exodus 20:16 says. It says, do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Interesting-which leads you down the rabbit hole when a lawyer asked Christ, “who is my neighbor?” (and we got the great parable of The Good Samaritan.)
Oh law…everyone. All y’all.
Here is an opinion on the 9th commandment that is very interesting. According to this, I can see how we easily shortened bearing false witness to not lying, because it is part of it, but not the whole.
1 Corinthians 13:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
In general, I think that the internet can make adults act like children. As evidenced by some of the things we see posted on facebook everyday.
Falsehoods, not checked or verified and blindly posted and re-posted. If you know me at all, it makes me crazy. Because, to me, blindly posting an unverified internet meme or news article without reading, verifying or even considering the implications of what the act means.
What it means for you, if you identify as a Christian.
What it means for those you are posting about-ESPECIALLY, if it is false.
I don’t think for a moment that it is over stating “bearing false witness”.
I spend a fair amount of my social media time on reading some of the things people post, but MOST of my time, is actually googling did The President say this? Does vinegar really kill cancer? Is a kid still missing, did that man actually commit the crime suggested (or is it a disgruntled former mate-it happens.)
Re-posting a story about how someone was cured from cancer by drinking apple cider vinegar may prevent someone from seeking qualified medical care.
Forwarding missing kids who are no longer missing makes people numb to the kids who really are in danger.
Are those REALLY the hands of God in a cloud or is it Photoshop?
You may wonder, what does it matter…
Because, i personally believe, the Creator of the Universe can show His majesty at anytime and does not need someone to fake it for his holiness and presence to be known in the world today. It cheapens what he is able to do.
Now, I know that I am not perfect and it is not my intention to come across as such, because I know I have made loads of mistakes in my life and heck some of them even this week.
I also deeply feel that this is an important issue that we need to take seriously as kingdom builders and witnesses to our faith.
The next time I post more information on something you may have posted on facebook, my intent is speaking the truth in love, 2019 version.
Molly J. McMahan 
I do my best to only speak the truth, my truth and to verify that anything I forward – meme or article – is truthful. I also hate the BS and spin I see. Makes me nuts. And maybe I’m a bubble burster too, because I’ll point it out to those that post such things (except the woo-woo folks that are just too out in the clouds, those I either have hidden or have given up on.)