Masonic Education 4- The Most Important Tenet of Masonry "TRUTH"

by: desertknightfm Rhojel





How important is Truth to God?

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.” Exodus 20:16

God requires us to always speak truthfully because we are created on his own image.“God is not a man, that he should lie.” (Numbers 23:19) it teaches us that  “the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.” (Psalms 33:4) because He is a “God of truth.” (Deuteronomy 32:4). And “His truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalms 100:5)

“Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbour no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow-man … [and] who keeps his oath even when it hurts.” (Psalms 15:1-3). 

When Jesus started his ministry  his main objective is to teach the truth as a universal way of life and this is the will of God “Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.” (Zechariah 8:3).

 “Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 Yes, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.” (Psalms 85:9-13). 

Before making our first step as a traveller in the lodge, we are been ask “In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13). Through this we surrender our life to God's word as truth.

When Jesus ask by Pontio Pilate if he is truly a King, He did not hesitate to tell the truth even though he know it would cost him his life,  “You sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:37). 

Jesus Christ's character was and is a perfect contemplation of the character of our Great Architect Of The Universe, the God of truth. In response to a query from one of His disciples, Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. His disciples, by “speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

Many of us that in order to scape from any responsibility or liability we tend to lie or cheat. Even politician and bussinessman involved in a corruption doing any deceptive act they can be without attracting lawsuits or alienating potential customers and voters. Until lying become an accepted way of life to every one of us, one example was about the case of one cadet who violated one of their Code of Honor "Lying" and he was kick out from the cadet corps. I've read so much comment on the social media condemning the Institution (PMA) for a harsh decision of the Honor Committee. Many people think that lying is just only a common offense that should not be considered a big deal.

Even God's prophet are aware on this ancient social injustices;

“None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.” (Isaiah 59:4). How did God view on this wide spread outbreak of lies? “But you shall say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.” (Jeremiah 7:28)

As of now many of us routinely interpose deceit in social, political, economic, even in our life and in a  relationship. An acute insufficiency of honesty is so widely accepted that public censure no longer even discourages lying.

Now let us test our selves by simple questions and if proven that we lie then we should start to repent to God and change from within. Do I lie? Is lying offensive for me? How important for me to be truthful?

 “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” (Proverbs 12:22) everyday and every moment the temptation to lie never cease. Lying is such an easy way to gain an advantage over others. It seems to bid easy and swift elude from embarrassment, fear and guilt.

The devil has relentlessly mislead people ever since. We know that devil is “a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) the devil brought suffering and death on our first parents. Satan's temptation is so great that he can “deceives the whole world.” (Revelation 12:9). This explain why it is too easy for us to lie when we deal with others and especially when lying is so commonly practiced all around us.

Man in nature is deceitful, Steadfast and consistently truthful demands discipline, courage, and integrity that we must rely on help from God.  We frequently find ourselves doing things that we know are wrong. So why then do we do them? A: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Jesus explained that even though we may be willing to obey, our flesh is weak (Mark 14:38) We always found so hard to resist temptation but we have to neutralize this weekness by understanding and internalizing what Paul described the timeless human struggle “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” (Romans 7:14-15)  

Life of a Mason is anchored to truth. God wants us as His servant to commit ourselves to truth and reflect it in everything we do. That is why God commands us: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)