Truth Builds Trust

By Fred Wikoff

It’s ironic that in a nation where we boast “In God We Trust” on our currency, we find it so difficult to trust each other. But with almost daily reports of scams, dishonest repairmen, corrupt politicians, and scandal plagued religious leaders; it’s not easy to know who to trust. Yet trust we must. For without trust our world would cease to function as we know it.

One only has to witness the war in Iraq to see the chaos that just a little mistrust causes. Most wars, terrorist attacks, racism, and ethnic cleansings can be traced to mistrust. In a more subdued form, mistrust and suspicion destroyed the Soviet Union from within with surprising ease. And closer to home our present political scene reveals yet another, but less stark consequence of mistrust . . . political gridlock.

With all of this mistrust in the world the old adage, “if you want to get something done right . . . do it yourself,” sounds like plain common sense. But it’s obvious we can’t do everything ourselves. Nor do we have the expertise in many areas to do the task at hand. Clearly the logical solution is to trust someone else. So why is it so difficult? The answer depends on how we view the truth.

Recently ABC’s evening news program, Nightline, aired a segment on children who lie. The claim was that lying was a natural process and when children lie it shows they are developing intellectually. Thus the sooner the child starts lying, the smarter the child because he is learning to interact with others.

During the broadcast I recall no mention of the parents influence on these children. And since it is well known that virtually everyone tells lies to some extent, I would suspect that the true reason some children lie sooner than others is that they have parents that lie more prolifically than others.

What does this have to do with trust? Lies destroy trust. One lie can destroy trust that took years to build. Christ says that Satan is the “father” of liars. (John 8:44) And while it’s true that by nature mankind lies, it’s only natural because we are born into Satan’s world of deception. Lying is not natural in God’s kingdom. God hates liars. (Proverbs 6:17)

Jesus came into the world to counter Satan’s lies and build trust by making the truth known. (See John 1:17) Truth is more than not lying or good ethics; it is essential for a trusting relationship. And just as lying destroys trust, truth builds trust. Of the truth Christ said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” John 14:6 and “if you continue in my word . . . you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32

Trust, based on this truth, is the foundation for all Christian teaching. By seeing the truth of Christ’s faithfulness over and over, as recorded in the scriptures, we gradually stop believing Satan’s lies and eventually place our trust in God. In its purest sense, trust in God combines a firm unwavering commitment with love, based on truth.

Unfortunately Satan and his lying nature still rule the world and trust will continue to suffer as a result. Wars and rumors of wars will continue; as will dishonest repairmen and unethical salesmen.

But there is a ray of light.

By putting His trust in us, Christ has made it possible for us to make a difference in the world. Like Paul, Silas, and Timothy, we have been “entrusted with the gospel.” (See 1 Thessalonians 2:4)

How well we do the job depends on trusting Christ completely, and walking hand in hand with Him so that those outside Christ may clearly see the presence of His spirit in us. May we rejoice in the knowledge that Christ has chosen us to bring His everlasting truth to an untrusting world.

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Fred Wikoff writes from Eugene, Oregon. EugeneSpud@msn.com