Almost True!

“Whatever is only almost true is quite false, and among the most dangerous of errors because being so near the truth, it is more likely to lead astray.”
Henry Ward Beecher

I used the quote above at the end of my sermon on Sunday night, and had a request about it, so I decided to use it as the basis of the article this week. Beecher’s point is obviously accurate. If we someone uses elements of truth in making an assertion or proclaiming a position, it is much more likely to be accepted. The little step away from the whole truth is not really a big deal; we can still see the truth from where we now stand.

There are at least two dangers from that kind of thinking. One is that the place we are now standing is not level and leaves us in jeopardy of slipping or stumbling further from the security of truth. Perhaps more to the point but less easily seen is that when you leave the truth, you are standing on a lie. We see it as a rationalization, or socially desirable, or expedient. But the fact is that the ends never justify improper means in God’s eyes.


Untruth permeates our society these days, and most of it has an element of truth in it. That is why our politicians are so mistrusted these days. That is why the world’s view of the church is so negative these days. Christians have not stood solidly on the truth of God’s Word. They have given messages and used means that are rationalizations, or that are thought to be expedient.

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) So, folks, when Christians take a step away from the Truth, they have stepped away from Jesus!

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