There is nothing short of a furore in UK politics. Lord Peter Mandelson had held several important governmental positions, including Ambassador to the USA. With unfolding revelations about the extent of his relationship with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, he has been sacked as Ambassador, resigned from the Labour Party and also stepped down from the House of Lords.
In a memorable response to parliamentary questions, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said with emotion that Peter Mandelson was guilty of ‘repeatedly lying’ about his dealings with Epstein both before and during his term as ambassador, and had betrayed his country, the parliament and his party. This is serious stuff.
There are examples in the Bible of people ‘deliberately misleading’ others for a seemingly good cause. For example, Rahab lied when she hid the Hebrew spies (Joshua 2:1-7), Hushai gave foolhardy advice to Absalom in order to protect King David (2 Samuel 17:1-14).
Years later, at his sham trial, Jesus was accused of misleading the Jews.
‘And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king”’ (Luke 23:2).
This was a completely false accusation, as the Bible says of Jesus: ‘He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth’ (1 Peter 2:22).
Does truth matter? Indeed it does.
‘For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth’ (Romans 1:18).
In contrast, Jesus was ‘full of truth’ (John 1:14).
So we need to be very careful. The Apostle John warned that by denying our sinfulness we actually accuse God of being a liar:
‘If we say we have not sinned, we make him [God] a liar, and his word is not in us’ (1 John 1:10).
He also says that ‘Whoever says “I know him [Jesus Christ]” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him’ (1 John 2:4).
Now that is truly serious stuff!
Anna Hart
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