Do you love the truth? | Tomorrow's World

Do you love the truth?

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Why do some celebrities experience a rapid rise to stardom out of relative obscurity, and then simply fade into the backdrop of history, seldom to be remembered? Because popularity is fleeting. An article in the Kansas City Star dated July 29, 2010 titled "A Real Lady" states the philosophy and one of the goals of the singer, Lady Gaga.

The article states Lady Gaga's goal of having 10 million Facebook fans. Even if this goal was attained, what lasting purpose would it serve? The Bible describes a king who reigned over many people. "There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind" (Ecclesiastes 4:16). At some point, just as the king was, Lady Gaga will also be forgotten by her adoring fans.

Seeking adulation of human beings will not bring lasting happiness. Only a sincere desire to obey God can. King David had his share of popularity, mixed also with attention from those who wanted to cause him great harm. He stated, "Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your fame, O Lord, throughout all generations" (Psalms 135:13). David spoke of God's fame, not his own. Human fame is nothing more than vanity.

The newspaper article then went on to state plainly her philosophy: "'I hate the truth,' she told one of her Madison Square Garden crowds. She also told Rolling Stone magazine: 'Music is a lie. It is a lie. Art is a lie. You have to tell a lie that is so wonderful that your fans make it true.'" This direct admission of how she truly feels concerning the truth is coming from one of the most influential singers of our modern day.

The Bible offers a stern warning to those who love and practice a lie. It is a warning to those who hate and refuse to obey the truth, which includes the keeping of the ten commandments, the law of God which directly forbids lying (Exodus 20:16). In the book of Revelation we read, "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie" (Revelation 22:14-15).

The Apostle Paul states it is not only those who practice such things, but also those who approve of those who practice them: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality … full of … deceit, evil-mindedness; they are … haters of God … who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:28-32).

When one as brash and open concerning her "hate" of the truth as Lady Gaga is revealed, should we approve of what this person is doing by listening to her artistic "lie?" We cannot judge and condemn the person, but we can and should discern the good from the bad – the right from the wrong. We must come to despise evil and love good. That is what pleases God.

Do you love the truth? Are you seeking after the truth of God in your life, or are you buying into the lie being pushed ever more overtly in the pop culture around us? Are you swallowing "hook, line, and sinker" the deceptive entrapments of the world – cutting off the opportunity to have a real, dynamic relationship with God? Start – today – loving the truth by reading The Ten Commandments.