Individuals, communities must practice truth to get transparency from leaders
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Editor,
A couple of headlines in the Lake County newspapers last week caught my attention, one said, Awana Truth Seekers is a Christian Bible program at the Alliance church in St. Ignatius for students K-6, adults are welcome; the other headline indicated that transparency and truth are needed from our government. I was immediately engaged by both headlines.
Several churches in the county offer younger children the Awana program as well as youth ministries and family Sunday school classes which emphasize biblical truth, including the ninth commandment in the Decalogue (Exodus 20) which states that we should not give false testimony. A few of these local churches identify some of their beliefs with large signs displaying the Ten Commandments.
Someone once told me that you do not have to teach a child to lie, they do it naturally. I still remember a couple of the lies which I told when I was a child. Lying seemed easier and less painful than telling the truth. Later, I repented of my lying. Teaching our children to tell the truth is a parent’s God given opportunity and responsibility (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 11:19, Ephesians 6:4). Fathers and mothers do this teaching by their godly example and by teaching Bible truth. The word of God is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It is never too soon to begin.
Followers of Jesus, who is The Truth (John 14:6), demonstrate their commitment by being people of honesty (truth with words) and integrity (truth with actions). Isn’t it true, more truth is caught than taught. Monkey see, monkey do.
Can we expect transparency and truth from those folks who serve us in the halls of government at whatever level? Yes. Yes, we can. If we as individuals are becoming more godly persons, if we as parents continue to practice truth and speak truthfully to our children and if as a community we clearly established integrity as a core value. Then, and only then, can we ask or expect to receive transparency and truth from those who lead our nation.
Harvey A. Town
Polson
