Editor’s note: Russell Gehrlein was a special guest on the syndicated radio program The Plumb Line, hosted by Jay Rudolph, on Monday, June 17. Russell and Jay discussed the importance of truth-telling in work and life. Below is a partial transcript of their conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity. We invite you to read part one and part two of this conversation or listen to them here. The final part of this conversation can be heard here.

Honoring Jesus & Others with Truth

JR: We’ve talked a little bit about the importance of truth-telling as far as our relationships with other people go. But first and foremost…we should be truth-tellers because we want to honor the Savior who died for us.

What is it that people need to do so that they are honoring God with their lives by having a relationship with him?

RG: God got a hold of my heart when I was a seventeen-year-old in high school where I heard the gospel for the first time. Before, I had this desire to do good, to do the right thing, to treat people right, but I kept falling short. I couldn’t change myself. I had no power to do that.

Then, I discovered that Jesus Christ could come into my life through my surrender and faith to him, and that he could change me from the inside out. Once I became a Christian, I sensed that I had this newfound power to make the right choice. I saw the fork in the road more clearly…

In John 14:6, Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to God. We know that God is true and that everything he says in the Bible is reliable. So, if Jesus’ words are true and reliable, he embodies the truth. When we trust and put our faith in him alone for salvation, we know that he will never deceive us, steer us in the wrong direction, or feed us a lie.

Also, his truth is the only thing that can set us free from being a slave to our bad habits, the evil ways of this world, and disappointment. In Jesus, I have found peace, joy, love, and contentment. I know this is true because God’s word gives me that promise. My experience over the past fifty years has confirmed it.

JR: Very well said. Human dignity requires truth-telling. When we are telling the truth, we are treating people with respect and dignity. When we don’t, we are really not doing that, are we?

RG: What comes to mind is the basics of truth and theology in the book of Genesis, particularly in chapter one. Here, it says that all human beings, men and women alike, from all backgrounds, are made in God’s image.

Society everywhere reflects the image of God, and that moral capacity to do the right thing, at least to know what’s right, is certainly in there. Even though the tendency to want to get ahead and be selfish is also in there, too. It’s like two different worlds that are inside you. Which one is going to win? The answer is, the one you feed.

If we want to become more truthful, then we need to feed ourselves with God’s word, and this allows that change to take place.

Drawing the Line with Truth

JR: Regarding deception, one area that is typically an example of temptation is finances. This would include financial statements and taxes. This is applicable to all of us, even among those who would call themselves Christians. I wanted to have you point out and share a little bit about the importance of telling the truth in this area.

RG: The people who are keeping track of those financial records owe their employers a truthful assessment of where they’re at and shouldn’t try to hide the bad news. In my experience, bad news does not get better with time. We all love to give good news, but the bad news has to be addressed as well.

JR: I want to bring up some additional aspects to truth-telling that might be considered exceptions. A lot of these deal with advertising. It’s pretty much expected when you’re watching an ad that there’s going to be some exaggeration or “puffery.”

Tell us a little bit about these exceptions to truth-telling that we have all come to expect or accept.

RG: Advertising is a fascinating thing. Those who do it are very creative. Advertisers use words and images very carefully to get people’s attention, make claims, put their best foot forward, and beat the competition. We certainly do that in the workplace.

At my annual evaluation, I had to summarize my accomplishments over the past year. By the grace of God, I didn’t take an advertiser’s approach. I did not exaggerate anything. I couldn’t say that I was the best guy that’s ever been in this job or that my team was the best team out there. I just had to lay out the facts.

We have to take a different approach than advertisers and other people who are trying to get attention do.

JR: Let’s just briefly tackle white lies and bluffing. Do you have anything to say about those two examples?

RG: White lies are a nice way of saying they’re lies, but small ones, with small consequences. I think all lies matter. Jesus said, “if you’re faithful with a little, you’re going to be faithful with much” (Lk. 16:10-11).

With bluffing, I think about playing cards with someone. That’s part of the game. I think everybody understands the rules of the game, that you can’t believe everything that’s said. Card and board games would fall into that category, and some of that is harmless. However, when it comes to how we treat people in business, that’s where we need to draw the line.

Growing in Truth

JR: How can we do better and become more honest at work?

RG: Honesty is one of those virtues, or what the Apostle Paul would call the fruit of the spirit, in Galatians 5. The fruit comes from one tree, which is a heart committed to Jesus Christ.

As Christians, if we want to be more honest, we should get to know Jesus and Scripture. Scripture is true. In doing so, you will find that you won’t have to strain and struggle. You will begin to catch yourself as you’re about ready to say something slightly untruthful. Over time, God is going to change your heart as you walk with him. That’s what I have experienced.