1. Backed By Truth
Chapter 15

2. What did Jesus teach about the truth?
John 1:17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 4:24  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;  and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 16:13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
John 18:37  Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

3. Types of Lying
A lie is a deliberate attempt to mislead others. It is always sinful.
Slander (Calumny)—saying something false about someone; harming someone’s good name
Flattery—false or exaggerated praise
Detraction—use truth irresponsible or maliciously to harm someone’s reputation
Rash Judgment—judging another’s behavior as wrong without evidence
Gossip—malicious talk about others
False Witness—to give untrue testimony
Hypocrisy—pretending to be better than you are OR pretending to believe something is you know is not true to impress people
Perjury—lying under oath before God

4. Can the truth be sinful?
Speaking the truth can sometimes be sinful if we do so in order to hurt the other person.
Sometimes it is more prudent or charitable for us to remain silent.
There are even times when we must not tell what we know to be true, for to do so would be wrong.

5. St. Philip Neri and the Gossip of Rome

6. Controlling our Speech
Matt 12:36-37 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 5:19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
1 Corinthians 13:6-7 Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Ephesians 4:29  Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

7. Taming the Tongue James 3:2-18
 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,  but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth.  Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.  For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

8. Dignity Matters—Words Matter
Show, by your life, that it is worth giving your time and talents in order to attain high ideals, it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human person, and it is worth taking risks for Christ and his Gospel.—Pope Francis at World Youth Day 2013
Reflection… who are you? List the words that truly describe you and LIFT YOU up… Because you matter.