The Lip of Truth Established Forever

The highest and only proper use of speech is to show what is right. Speech may set forth: right views of God as revealed in Psalm 40:9 and John 17:25–26; right views of personal experience as in Psalm 66:16; right estimates of character, requiring great caution in testimonials; right statements concerning the value of merchandise; and right expositions of Scripture. Some "wrest" the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16), others make them void through tradition (Mark 7:13), and still others handle them deceitfully (2 Corinthians 4:2). Yet the God-taught expositor aims at "the manifestation of the truth."

Foolish speech often wounds, but in the word of wisdom is healing. Healthy doctrine produces healthy living and becomes its own advocate. As one Victorian preacher observed, "Truth, like cork, will be uppermost one time or other, though an effort be made to keep it under water." Time stands with truth, and so does eternity.

Consider young Duncan, called "True Duncan" by his schoolmates because he would never lie. When an accident killed his teacher's beloved cat, the other boys whispered that Duncan might finally break his vow. His friend Tom Brown declared, "Duncan will be as true as gold." In that moment of fear and sorrow, Duncan's commitment to truthfulness—established in his character—proved unshakeable. The lip of truth shall be established forever.