In our world, words seem to flow in endless disharmony. Words are often misused in ways that do an injustice to truth. We are exposed to endless words in print, social media and everyday speaking that do not build a framework of goodness, honesty and truth. We experience words that alarm, serve people’s own selfish needs, are untruthful, controlling, or seek to appeal in ways that do not speak the truth in love. When the power of self-interest replaces truth, we are headed in the direction of chaos.
Of course, truth is about not lying. On a personal level, what would happen if we quit lying and stopped avoiding the truth about ourselves, and our weaknesses? Certainly, honesty can leave us vulnerable and exposed. As a parent of children with severe brain disorders, I find that people frequently do not want to hear the truth, change their attitudes, or accept people with brain disorders and their caregiver families as they are. We are tempted to stick to our own version of truth. Truth often means saying things others don’t want to hear. Such truthfulness is not always popular and can have harsh consequences, especially when they are spoken to power.
The more power we have the greater our opportunity to use words in both good and harmful ways. Power can negate our ability to be a good listener. Power can easily be used to diminish others and thus diminish truth. We see all too many examples in politics, government, sports, industry and even in faith communities, of words and actions doing great damage. Thankfully, the same entities can and do build up.
Words are often chosen for their appeal rather than their truthfulness. The temptation is always before us to use words dangerously and at great cost to the well-being of others. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to our need for civil conversation, “People fail to get along together because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
We live in a world, nation, state and community where there are many versions of truth. Groups are constantly screaming for their version of truth which may or may not serve the common good. If the power of self interest takes control at the expense of truth we are headed for chaos. As Proverbs 12:17 reminds us, “Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but false witness speaks deceitfully.”
Not only is it important to chose our words carefully, but we can benefit greatly by expanding the diversity of voices we listen to. If we only listen to powerful voices, we lose touch with the majority of voices! Frequently those who speak without power are the very voices we need to listen to. Life is grounded in the reality that we all need to be better understood. The powerful and capable Apostle Paul experienced some troublesome health limitation, in his life, that sensitized him to understand that “power is made perfect in weakness.” If the weak among us are ignored, not listened to, or cared for, we have lost sight of the fact that God places equal value on all people.
Power needs to be tempered by truth. God’s purpose for us can get lost in the lingo of power. Issues can become so rhetoric laden that honest, moral debate can’t happen.
Our challenge is to equip ourselves to think and act faithfully regarding the issues in all areas of life. Our voices need to speak the truth in love in the midst of diverse viewpoints. We are tempted to stick to our versions of truth, which limits creativity and outreach to others. The truth is begging to be heard. Sometimes we are the ones who need to make truth known.
As we seek to choose our words carefully and truthfully, may we be a voice of compassion that listens to every voice in the choir of humankind.
• Pastor Larry Rorem is a retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor living in Juneau.
