To Tell the Truth

When I was growing up in the sixties, there was a TV program called “To Tell the Truth.” A person with an unusual occupation or who had done something bizarre, and two impostors would try to convince a panel of four celebrities that they were the real person. The object of the game show was to get the panel to vote for the two imposters. The real person and the imposters would get money for each wrong vote.

I liked the show, but I do not like people saying to me, “To tell the truth.” I am thinking, have they not been telling me the truth in previous conversations?

I also do not like for someone to throw in “Honestly” in our conversation. When have you not been honest with me. Yes, I realize that those are just common phrases that a lot of people use without thinking about it. But I do think a lot about them.

Same with “truthfully.” Now I have been challenged with my nit-picking hangups. Some wise guys, including a member of my immediate family, have said to me, “Well, Jesus used the words “verily, verily” several times in the Bible.

My response is that Jesus always spoke the truth, so He could use the word “truthfully” for emphasis if HE wanted to. However, you and I are not perfect, and we do not always speak the truth.

“Therefore, ridding yourselves of falsehood, speak truth each one of you to his neighbor, because we are parts of one another. (Ephesians 4:25 NASB)

Mark Twain once said, “Always tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember what your said.”