Why Truth Matters

   In his book “How Do You Kill 11 Million People?”  , author Andy Andrews asked that question about the Holocaust that occurred in Nazi Germany. It was not asked about why that it happened but rather how it occurred. He asks the question this way:

“Why, for month after month and year after year, did millions of intelligent human beings –guarded by relatively few Nazi soldiers– willingly load their families into cattle cars to be transported by rail to one of the many death camps scattered across Europe? How can a condemned group of people headed for a gas chamber be compelled to act in a docile manner?”

  The answer was surprisingly simple. In short, they lied to them. And, sadly, they believed it.  The Jews were told it was for their protection.  First, as barbed-wire fences were erected, encircling entire neighborhoods, leaders assured them that the physical restrictions being placed upon their community were only temporary necessities of war.  As long as they cooperated, he told them, no harm would come to those inside the fence.  Second, bribes were taken from the Jews in the promise of better living conditions. The bribes convinced the Jews that the situation was indeed temporary and that no further harm would befall them.  After all, would the Nazis accept bribes if they only intend to kill us and take everything anyway?  Finally, Nazi officials would appear before a gathering of the entire ghetto.  Accompanied by an entourage of no more than thirty local men and officers—many unarmed—he told them the Russian were coming to kill them.  For their safety they were being moved to protective camps.  They only wanted what was best for them.  They would give them a better life. And willingly many crowed aboard the trains that led not to a better life but to the gas chambers

  Lies bring destruction. They have since the Garden of Eden and still do today.  We unfortunately have become very comfortable with them.  We lie to our bosses, our friend and even our self. We hear lies by our leaders, our media, our universities and we go along with them. We would rather hear a pleasing lie than an uncomfortable truth.  It even is happing in the church which should be a pillar of truth (1^st Timothy 3:15)  As Paul warned in 2nd Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” The lies are easier. They make us fit in better with the world. They fit better with our own likes. So we believe the lies, and we too are led to destruction.

   Romans 1:18 tells us, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness”.  Those that follow lies are bound for destruction; whether in the political arena, the business world or in their religion.  Truth matters!  Anything that is not based on truth will fall.  We can’t be followers of Jesus and not accept truth.  Jesus told Pilate, "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."(John 18:37). 

   Don’t think a little lie won’t hurt. Don’t follow those that lie to you. Truth is what keeps us free (John 8:32). God’s word is Truth (John 17:17). Don’t believe anything that goes against it. A lie is very dangerous thing!