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I like the word because; it is a conjunction that introduces a direct reason for something, particularly
when an excuse is being offered as to why something wasn’t done; I didn’t do it, because I got my priorities mixed up. It’s a word
that gets to the point without implying anything. When there is an expectation
I prefer the explanation because over the implying words: as, since, for, and inasmuch as. Inasmuch
as I wanted to keep my word, I had some errands to run first.
Because is a cleaner more efficient word that cuts to the chase rather than mealy mouthing around with inference words if we are being honest and not downright lying in using it. I didn’t do it, because I overslept, for instance, but we were wide awake; we lied to make it easy on ourselves for whatever reason which was never disclosed. We do it all the time, and some are very lame to the point it is obvious to all parties we were making up an excuse, lying, in other words. Because is forthright in expressing the facts or opinions directly.
I think clever people limit using the word because; it directly links them to a lie which is hard to deny because it was stated as fact or links them to a truth setting them up for possible personal rejection or being looked upon less favorably or running the risk of losing something simply for being truthful, telling the truth! Neither situation is acceptable to the savvy politically minded; therefore, the word because is avoided in the language of conversation. It is better to be truthful; I didn’t do what I said I was going to do because my priorities were out of whack. Before I bore you to tears, allow me to give one example of replacing because with one of its synonyms, for.
Instead of giving a direct reason for why I didn’t do what I said I was going to do, by replacing because with for, the reason or proof of my failure to do something comes across indirectly like an afterthought or parenthetical statement; My priorities were out of whack, for I didn’t do what I said I was going to do. Personally, I could deal with because better than being lied to or getting the run around with inferences or insinuations. However, that troublesome conjunction because offers forensic evidence of guilt or creates unnecessary trouble! It's better to ditch it altogether and look for an indirect conjunction to imply rather than be explicit, particularly if there is an agenda involved.
I have witnessed people who told the truth and were treated harshly for it. It had sent a wrong message, for example, to all the employees throughout the company – telling the truth doesn’t pay. The company’s real motive was looking for a scapegoat; someone to pin the blame upon. I had witnessed this on more than one occasion with some very large corporations. If those under scrutiny or pressure lacked moral fortitude, they simply would lie to those in authority to retain their job or keep someone else from losing their job. Naturally, with management and labor, there is an element of “we versus them” in the workforce which exacerbates discovering the truth. We also avoid using because in the family all the time just to keep the “peace,” and I almost have to cough when I say, “It was for the greater good.” This is definitely an overworked piece of rationalization if there ever was one – for who’s greater good?
For a believer in Jesus Christ the word because should be a part of our vocabulary because it incorporates getting quickly to the real reason as long as we are connecting it with honesty. I know there is a myriad of what-ifs or scenarios, some very difficult and challenging. However, half-truths and lying undermine the veracity of our testimony and trust in the Lord. If we’re guilty we need to take our licks and trust in the Lord. If we speak the truth though it puts us in a bad light with others, we need to trust in the Lord.
Because is a cleaner more efficient word that cuts to the chase rather than mealy mouthing around with inference words if we are being honest and not downright lying in using it. I didn’t do it, because I overslept, for instance, but we were wide awake; we lied to make it easy on ourselves for whatever reason which was never disclosed. We do it all the time, and some are very lame to the point it is obvious to all parties we were making up an excuse, lying, in other words. Because is forthright in expressing the facts or opinions directly.
I think clever people limit using the word because; it directly links them to a lie which is hard to deny because it was stated as fact or links them to a truth setting them up for possible personal rejection or being looked upon less favorably or running the risk of losing something simply for being truthful, telling the truth! Neither situation is acceptable to the savvy politically minded; therefore, the word because is avoided in the language of conversation. It is better to be truthful; I didn’t do what I said I was going to do because my priorities were out of whack. Before I bore you to tears, allow me to give one example of replacing because with one of its synonyms, for.
Instead of giving a direct reason for why I didn’t do what I said I was going to do, by replacing because with for, the reason or proof of my failure to do something comes across indirectly like an afterthought or parenthetical statement; My priorities were out of whack, for I didn’t do what I said I was going to do. Personally, I could deal with because better than being lied to or getting the run around with inferences or insinuations. However, that troublesome conjunction because offers forensic evidence of guilt or creates unnecessary trouble! It's better to ditch it altogether and look for an indirect conjunction to imply rather than be explicit, particularly if there is an agenda involved.
I have witnessed people who told the truth and were treated harshly for it. It had sent a wrong message, for example, to all the employees throughout the company – telling the truth doesn’t pay. The company’s real motive was looking for a scapegoat; someone to pin the blame upon. I had witnessed this on more than one occasion with some very large corporations. If those under scrutiny or pressure lacked moral fortitude, they simply would lie to those in authority to retain their job or keep someone else from losing their job. Naturally, with management and labor, there is an element of “we versus them” in the workforce which exacerbates discovering the truth. We also avoid using because in the family all the time just to keep the “peace,” and I almost have to cough when I say, “It was for the greater good.” This is definitely an overworked piece of rationalization if there ever was one – for who’s greater good?
For a believer in Jesus Christ the word because should be a part of our vocabulary because it incorporates getting quickly to the real reason as long as we are connecting it with honesty. I know there is a myriad of what-ifs or scenarios, some very difficult and challenging. However, half-truths and lying undermine the veracity of our testimony and trust in the Lord. If we’re guilty we need to take our licks and trust in the Lord. If we speak the truth though it puts us in a bad light with others, we need to trust in the Lord.
People may not like it; we may not like the outcome, but we will be
respected for telling the truth rather than lying. Isn’t this one of the things
that make Christians distinctive from the herd, truthfulness (cf. Rev 21:8!!)? I love how the
Apostle John’s expressed his joy under inspiration, “I have no greater joy than
to hear that my children walk (personal conduct) in truth” (3 Jn 1:4). Another good thing about always telling the truth is it helps our memory. Mark Twain once said, “If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.” What was I saying?
Wouldn't we rather go down doing the right thing than keep on our feet by doing wrong (that's a tough question)? No peace or joy is to be found in being a non-because Christian. A lost person may get away with lying, but never a Christian, not for an instant! A believer loses ground on personal ethics, reputation, blessings, and the peace of God whenever half-truths or outright lying is substituted for the truth. There is no immediate escape; shame and guilt will follow us no matter how much we rationalize our behavior in our mind and to others, for God is all-knowing, not to mention that the Holy Spirit lives within us!
Personal character is not up for sale as a believer when it comes to the truth. God honors the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, for He is truth (Jn 14:6). He demands the truth from us; it is not optional or relative though we may think that it is. Truth is forever, lying is but a blinking of the eye because God said it was through Solomon in Proverbs. We need to do the eternal thing and tell the truth.
We bank on the truthfulness of God for eternal life (Titus 1:2); it would shatter our faith in Him if He wasn’t telling us the truth all the time! How could we trust in God while under extreme pressure if He was less than truthful at times? What would that do to our confidence in Him? What would that say about our “eternal” life? Now, what does telling a lie do to others who know we are Christian? What does it say about our character? Let’s just say it doesn’t help the cause of Christ or us at all. God expects you and me to walk worthy of Him ( worthy, Gk, axios, of equal weight, comparable, Eph 4:1; Col 1:10, emphasis mine) so that people will see a faith that is consistent, vibrant, and authentic, causing them to inquire of us concerning the truth of the Gospel or Good News. It’s powerful stuff!
Wouldn't we rather go down doing the right thing than keep on our feet by doing wrong (that's a tough question)? No peace or joy is to be found in being a non-because Christian. A lost person may get away with lying, but never a Christian, not for an instant! A believer loses ground on personal ethics, reputation, blessings, and the peace of God whenever half-truths or outright lying is substituted for the truth. There is no immediate escape; shame and guilt will follow us no matter how much we rationalize our behavior in our mind and to others, for God is all-knowing, not to mention that the Holy Spirit lives within us!
Personal character is not up for sale as a believer when it comes to the truth. God honors the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, for He is truth (Jn 14:6). He demands the truth from us; it is not optional or relative though we may think that it is. Truth is forever, lying is but a blinking of the eye because God said it was through Solomon in Proverbs. We need to do the eternal thing and tell the truth.
We bank on the truthfulness of God for eternal life (Titus 1:2); it would shatter our faith in Him if He wasn’t telling us the truth all the time! How could we trust in God while under extreme pressure if He was less than truthful at times? What would that do to our confidence in Him? What would that say about our “eternal” life? Now, what does telling a lie do to others who know we are Christian? What does it say about our character? Let’s just say it doesn’t help the cause of Christ or us at all. God expects you and me to walk worthy of Him ( worthy, Gk, axios, of equal weight, comparable, Eph 4:1; Col 1:10, emphasis mine) so that people will see a faith that is consistent, vibrant, and authentic, causing them to inquire of us concerning the truth of the Gospel or Good News. It’s powerful stuff!
Living in a lying and dying world engulfed in a moral morass, the time is ripe for reaching people for Christ who are simply looking for the truth and not another endorsement of a lie. A large portion of our society is sick and weary of lies and corruption. A because believer longs for the truth, loves the truth, and lives the truth. The wisest of earthly kings declared that truth is eternal, but lies are not (cf. Jn 8:44). If ever there was a time to be a because believer for the glory of God, it is now and always! Speak the truth in love and make a difference, a believer with a because! <><
Prov 12:19, MSG, “Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.”
·
Prov
12:19, NLT, “Truthful words stand the test of
time, but lies are soon exposed. “
·
Prov
12:19, GNB, “A lie has a short life, but truth
lives on forever.”
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