While standing as a prisoner before Pontius Pilate, Jesus explained to the Roman procurator that he came to earth in order to testify to the truth, that everyone on the side of truth would listen to him. (John 18:38)

Pilate responded with:

“What is truth?”

If Jesus had answered that question, we have no record of it.  But maybe he didn’t need to answer it. Truth is truth.  So why do we have so much trouble with it?

Listen to any sound bite, talk show comment or politician, and you can easily see that the whole truth doesn’t always surface.  Sir Winston Churchill said, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.”

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The title is clever.  The tune is catchy.  And it annoys my grandson whenever I sing it repeatedly.  I stop whenever I get the expected response from him, that being, “Ah-h-h-h-h!”

The animal kingdom may have their own language with grunts and growls, but I’m guessing that it doesn’t come close to the human language.  Maybe because we exhibit more emotion and determination. Domesticated animals respond to voice commands because of conditioning and rewards.  We never have a discussion with them regarding their behavior; if so, it would be all one-sided.

My native tongue, English, is replete with innuendos and double-entendres, making if difficult to understand the true intent, let alone try to form a response.  Words are powerful.  Consider the children’s rhyme:

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
But words will never hurt me.

Not true.  Words spoken or written can generate a number of feelings inside of us.  I’ll be the first to admit that in my own life I am often affected by words sent my way.  I must check myself quickly in order not to respond in haste.  I also notice how many times I have misunderstood comments.  On many an occasion I find later that they were not directed toward me, were not meant in the way that I took them, or were certainly not worth me being worked up about.

My wife says I’m a ponderer, and she’s right.  When I receive a negative comment or response from someone, I can mull it over for hours, or even days, before I’m willing to let it go.  On the other hand I can receive a kind remark from someone I don’t generally care for, and it’s as if they were never unkind to me.  Someone that I am confident is an untruthful person can so embellish a statement that I am eager and willing to consider that they are being honest with me.  Along with being a ponderer, I seem to be a responder-er.

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If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

Sounds too easy. And too good to be true. But I believe it with all my heart. God has given us everything we need to sustain life — all without us asking for it. Wisdom, on the other hand, requires a genuine relationship with him.

How do you know when you lack wisdom?

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