4 replies to this topic

[CHRISTOPHER310]

Is there ever a situation where the ‘greater good’ causes the truth to be denied or excluded? Has this happen before in the history of a faith? Should it ever happen?

[Charles Miles]

I guess I don't understand the question. Untruth is a large part of some religions, so if that is the question.....yes. Faith, in my humble opinion, has very little if anything to do with religion and is a personal thing between a person and his God. If someone knows that their faith is misplaced, they would be lying to themselves to continue, and untruth in dealing with it would not be very helpful.....maybe even deadly.

[ADVRider]

Is there ever a situation where the ‘greater good’ causes the truth to be denied or excluded? Has this happen before in the history of a faith? Should it ever happen?

There should never be a situation where a claim to the "greater good" negates your walk with Jesus. But there may be times when we are asked to go along that might not really be an act of compromise, even though it could feel that way. If you have a specific situation, pray, get local counsel and read the Word and then follow your heart after you've done these things. On the other side, Jesus said our faith at times would not make us a lot of friends. He certainly didn't go along when truth was at stake, but He still loved, even those who hated Him for it. And the concept of the greater good is certainly misused a lot of the time. Socialists, communists, humanists and the state often use the idea for manipulative purposes. It can raise red flags when someone appeals to it and says, "you are being too selfish, close-minded, etc." Consider Matt. 7:13. 

[Charles Miles]

Jesus said....."I am the way, the truth, and the life". If one looks at situations with that in mind, then to deny or exclude the truth would be to deny or exclude Jesus.  Sometimes the truth hurts.  Often people ask for the truth on a matter but really don`t want the truth, they want reaffermation of their side of a situation.  Then there are those situations where you know a thing to be true, but to reveal that to another person would be hurtful to them and actually accomplish nothing.  To remain silent in such a situation, unless directly asked, might be the better course of action.  

 

I would never advise anyone to do anything but be truthful, but hurtful gossip, even when true, does not become a christian.

[Julie Daube]

I would say that there are times when people aren't ready for the truth (or at least not the whole truth); in such situations, we need to be guided by the Holy Spirit as to how much truth to speak.

Here is an excellent quote on this topic by noted apologist and licensed C&MA evangelist Ravi Zacharias:

"All my life as an apologist I have spoken . . . to virtually every major religious group, sometimes at the risk of threats of violence. Differences ought not to keep us from carrying the truth to everyone. Must we not graciously build one step at a time in communicating our faith with clarity and conviction? Is it really necessary at the early stages of such openness to 'dump the whole truckload of goods,' rather than first gaining a hearing and respect? . . . There is no other Name given under heaven whereby we may be saved. How we communicate that Name is equally important as the message itself if we are to be persuaders of men and women under the anointing of the Holy Spirit."