What a crazy world we live in. As scary as it sounds, it seems like telling the truth and being honest is an afterthought in today’s culture. I don’t want to get political but let’s just look at this past election for example. Every media company is telling a different story, most likely based on their political affiliation. Each candidate is saying things about the other candidates that may or may not be true. As citizens, how are we to know what to believe anymore? Not knowing who to trust is a dangerous situation to be in. The best thing you can do is intentionally seek after truth in the right ways.
One of my favorite actors, Denzel Washington, was asked about the state of the media in a recent interview. His quote was perfectly articulated.
If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed. If you do read, you are misinformed.
He went on to say…
One of the effects is the need to be first, not even to be true anymore.
Let that last line sink in. The only thing that matters with the news these days is who can report something first. True or not isn’t the point, what matters is first. If it comes out later that the story was false, people don’t even seem to care. They are onto the next crazy story that has just come out.
Which, again, begs the question: what ever happened to just telling the truth?
I am a believer that telling the truth is always the right thing to do — regardless of personal gain or harm; regardless of how it makes you feel; and regardless how others will view you. Telling the truth is always the right move.
In today’s world, it is so refreshing to find someone who is real and speaks truthfully.
In business, it’s not always easy to tell the truth, I totally get that. Business is hard and there are difficult decisions to be made with massive consequences on a day-to-day basis. Every circumstance and every decision in business is different. However, there is one constant that can always be present — the truth. We often act like moral consequences are secondary to monetary gain. But a note of advice: just because something works, doesn’t make it best. Cutting corners and using people has a nasty way of coming back at us in the end.
The world, especially the business world, is filled with so many lies and so much hypocrisy. If you want to be different and unique in your business/work/life, just be honest. The things you say and the way you act may “offend” some people. But it will also attract numerous others who want to do business or just be around you simply because of your honestly. Not a bad thing, right? Not to mention, there’s no price tag on peace of mind. Regardless of the outcome, if you were honest with yourself and merely told the truth, what would you have to worry about?
To me, speaking the truth starts with first knowing the truth. We all have to have a baseline, and mine comes through Jesus. The truth that Jesus died for my dishonesty and hypocrisy so that I could know Him and have abundant life – regardless of my bank account – frees me to do business and relationships for truthfulness sake (instead out of insecurity and selfish ambition). This is the truth that changes everything.
If you stay in my word, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
-Jesus
We all have values, but even values need to rest upon something. What are you resting in?
People want to trust again — fight for honesty in an age set on being crooked and you might be surprised to find yourself flourishing.
Hoping the best for you all this week.
Reach out to me anytime.
