DO YOU KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT TRUTH? (and also leadership?)

We all want our young, high school lives to be as easy, fun, and happy as possible. Yet we are constantly nagged by one great obstacle: the persistent nagging of morality and its obligations. On top of our own silent notions that maybe life isn’t all about ease and complacence, we deal with people around us who constantly tell us this. Life is hard.

To give two examples…  Telling the truth is frequently less helpful than lying. Yet we are constantly barraged with the idea that we should tell the truth anyway.  Being a leader can require discomfort and social unease, and it is rarely necessary. Yet we are still told that we should not hesitate to take initiative. TRUTHLEADERSHIP

Well, maybe there is something more to it. Maybe it’s not about what will be of gain to us, but what will be of some greater gain to something else. Or maybe taking such sacrifices will yield us some greater, unknown gain in the end. Let’s look into it. Even so, these obligations persist.

Telling the truth?  If we are to call ourselves Christians, we must, by definition, adhere to Christian doctrine. So, let’s take into account a few biblical references on truth-telling.  “22 Lying lips are an abomination to the L ORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”  As Proverbs 12:22 tells us, lying is sin. By well-known Christian doctrine, all sin is an abomination and an insult to God. It follows, then, that we must not lie if we are to delight God. It is important that Christians maintain honesty and integrity to avoid the appearance of hypocrisy.

Truth, continued  When we as Christians lie, the "victim" of our deceit may never know. However, our omniscient* God will always know, and that's far more significant than petty, worldly troubles. It's important for Christians to prioritize actions based on what pleases God, rather than themselves.  *“ 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20

What about leadership?  Similarly, being a Christian community, we must observe what the Bible has to say about how and why we lead.  “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4  “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3  “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” Matthew 20:26

Leading for God  A student needs to strive to be a leader in all fields, whether it is athletics, fine arts, or academics. Though achieving these goals provides instant gratification, it also equips oneself for success in the future. Ultimately, we must lead in such a manner that will bring glory to God.  "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.“1 Corinthians 10:31

Though we may not like it, it is necessary for us, as Christians, to tell the truth always and never hesitate to take initiative or seize a moment of leadership for the greater glory of God. So what’s this all mean?