So Help You God

“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” A phrase we are familiar with that is asked of witnesses about to be questioned in court. You see, if they tell the truth, then it could set someone free or help convict the guilty. The truth is powerful!

I had a friend who once told me a story about getting into some serious trouble at work. The problem was what he told me didn’t make sense. When I prayed for them and about the situation, I asked God what the truth was. He told me. Later, I asked my friend if I could share what God had told me, and he agreed. When I shared God’s truth about the situation, he got outraged and hung up on me, and he hasn’t spoken to me since.

Even though the truth was embarrassing for them, I didn’t judge. I wanted to see them get the victory over the underlying problem. As I continued to pray for them, God showed me more truth and how they had lied and deceived me on many occasions.

I once shared the truth with my pastor that God had shown me about him and his home life. I started the conversation with two pieces of knowledge that I could only have known if God revealed it to me. The supernatural shouldn’t be awed but used to get one’s attention for what God wants to do or say next. The problem was that the command structure in their home followed them into the church, and it did not please God at all! In fact, it was preventing God from pouring out His Spirit upon the church and using that church in a mighty way! When one’s leadership isn’t right at home, people get hurt!

What was worse was, out of fear of being exposed, the pastor and his wife told many lies about me to the congregation. Yep! That was the day I had to fire my pastor! He knew what God said to him was truth, but he was afraid of being alone! In other words, he was fearful if he put things right, then his wife might divorce him.

The truth can attract some while it repels others. Thousands heard Jesus teach the truth and saw him perform many signs and wonders, but only a few radically changed how they lived and followed him. Sad, but many don’t want to be around one who represents the truth, tells the truth, and lives with the truth. Even some family members may no longer talk to you or want to be around you. Their consciousness may be seared when you are around!

But if they are ready to drop their defenses and accept the truth, then they will begin to enjoy a life of freedom. Look at the drastic turnaround when Saul encountered the Truth, Jesus, on the road to Damascus. He didn’t stand there and try to justify himself or his actions. He confessed he was wrong and went on to set others free with the truth he had encountered in his life.

Yes, the truth can be challenging to accept, but if it is, then there truly is freedom and no more condemnation. Try hearing it, and better yet, try telling it, so help you God.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NIV)

Saul’s Conversion: Acts 9:1-19
⁵ “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶ “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13

Copyright © 2024 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.