What role does truthfulness play in our witness, as seen in John 9:20? Setting the scene • Jesus has just healed a man born blind • Religious leaders investigate the miracle, summoning the man’s parents • The parents are under pressure: acknowledging Jesus could cost them synagogue membership (vv. 22–23) What we observe in John 9:20 “His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.’” • They state only what they undeniably know • Their plain, factual answer becomes an anchor point for everyone listening • Even in fear, they refuse to deny the obvious work of God Truthfulness: A cornerstone of witness • Truth gives credibility—people trust a message when the messenger is reliable • Truth honors God, “the God of truth” (Isaiah 65:16) • Truth points to Christ, who is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6) • Truth exposes darkness; the miracle could be contested, but facts stand firm Scriptural foundations for speaking truth • Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” • Proverbs 12:19 – “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” • Psalm 15:2 – “He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart.” • Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” • Colossians 3:9 – “Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices.” Consequences when truth is compromised • Witness loses power—credibility once lost is hard to regain • God’s name is dishonored; His people are called to reflect His character • Untruth opens doors to further compromise (John 8:44 links lies to the devil) • The gospel message can be dismissed if messengers seem unreliable Growing in truthfulness today • Saturate the mind with Scripture—God’s Word renews thinking (John 17:17) • Pray for courage; truth sometimes invites opposition, as in John 9 • Check motives—speak to glorify God, not to protect self-image • Keep statements within personal knowledge: “We know…” (v. 20) mirrors wise restraint • Cultivate accountability—invite fellow believers to correct exaggerations or inaccuracies • Practice daily honesty in small matters; faithfulness in little builds faithfulness in much (Luke 16:10) Key takeaways • Truthfulness authenticates our testimony and aligns us with the character of God • Even brief, simple facts—“He is our son; he was born blind”—can powerfully affirm God’s work • A truthful witness stands firm under scrutiny, giving the world a clear, unwavering view of Christ |
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