Who among us speak the truth? Who are men and women of integrity? Who are liars seeking to deceive?

Each day I read various news articles. A recurring one focuses on statements made by public figures. Produced through a collaboration of unnamed researchers, it claims to report the truthfulness of those statements, labeling them True, Mostly True, Half True, Mostly False, or False. The presumption, of course, is that they themselves are being truthful in their reporting.

The standard used in these articles is that while True is best, an evaluation of Mostly True or Half True may be good and acceptable. That bothers me. I was raised on the premise that if someone says something which contains anything false, then the overall statement is false. If there are any nuggets of truth, finding them requires concerted effort. But there's something deeper here.

I spent more than 32 years practicing law. In every courtroom situation, if it were determined that a witness had given testimony that was Mostly True or Half True, an attorney would turn to the jury and say, Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you...a liar. You cannot trust this witness.

When did we decide Mostly True and Half True were acceptable? Why do we no longer expect integrity? How did we begin thinking, Everyone speaks this way or We can't do any better? Guess what? Everyone doesn't speak that way. We can do better, and for those who follow God, we must!

We believe that God speaks absolute truth. No playing around. Not Mostly True or Half True. Jesus made it clear when He said, I am the way and the TRUTH and the life. (John 14:6) There are those who have decided that while He may have been a nice guy, what Jesus said was only Mostly True or Half True. They reach that decision for one simple reason -- it supports what they want to believe.

But if what Jesus said was Mostly True or Half True, then He wasn't a nice guy or a prophet, but a liar. We'd be left to pick out what we believe as though it were food at a market. I like the way this tastes, so I'll take some that. But that's too hard to digest. I'll leave that alone. Our beliefs would be merely a personal collection of likes and dislikes, subject to changing with our moods, emotions, and desires.

But absolute truth cannot and does not change. Jesus said that He is absolute truth. His words, teachings, and messages...all true. Everything, everything, everything else is a lie, a tool to manipulate and deceive. Yet there's more to this. Truth is not just the domain of God.

If you love me, you will obey what I command -- John 14:15. If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me -- Matthew 16:24. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME - - John 10:27.

These are the words of Jesus. Mostly True? Half True? Sorta True? Or is it possible that what He said, what God left for us to one day read, is actually...True? Careful in how you answer. Peter added, Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21).

Do you follow in Jesus' steps? Are you an example of His life and message to a fallen world? Do you live His life of Truth? Are you a person of honesty and integrity? Can you be trusted? We have been called to follow Truth, and when others deceive and manipulate with their lies, we must stand against them.

Seek Truth! Follow Truth! It is time to rise and stand against those who lie!