「什麼是真理？」這是千古以來無數人問過的問題。對於哲學家、社會學家、諮詢顧問、作家，甚至是商業和專業人士來說，彷彿「真理」是某種哲學自助餐上不斷變化的選項。只是一個反覆出現的議題。

然而，無論是在刑事調查、法庭審判，或是在進行科學研究的過程中，尋求真理都很重要。但奇怪的是，當我們聽到人們談論「我的真理」時，感覺好像對一個人真實的事，對其他人可能完全不同。我們當然有權在各種事情上發表自己的意見，但在很多情況下，真理絕不是複選題。

領導力顧問提姆·凱特寫道：「真理的存在，是獨立於人們所「相信」的東西之外的。如果我相信湖上的冰很厚，而事實上它只是我所相信的，這並不會改變冰真實的厚度。如果我按照我「錯誤」的信念行事並在湖上滑冰，我會把自己置於危險之中。如果我邀請其他人加入我的行列，他們也會有危險。

真理，與商品或服務的價格不同，它不是可以商量的。不同於社會上某些人希望我們去相信的，我們可能對很多事情有不同的觀點，但絕對的真理確實存在。

在猶太領袖逮捕耶穌基督後，羅馬總督本丟彼拉多在審問耶穌基督時，就對真理做了一場引人注目的討論。他問耶穌：「你是猶太人的王嗎？……你做了什麼事呢？」耶穌回答說：「你說我是王。我為此而生，也為此來到世間，特為給真理作見證。凡屬真理的人就聽我的話。」然後彼拉多問了一個著名的、似乎具爭議性的問題：「真理是什麼？」 （約翰福音 18章33-38節）

我們為什麼要關心職場上的真理？我們每天的挑戰，就是推廣我們的品牌、完成銷售和獲得利潤，我們才能繼續經營不是嗎？是的，這是正確的 – 但我們不應該在追求這些目標時犧牲了真理。也許思考一下聖經中對真理所說的一些教導，會有所幫助：

真理證明我們是值得信賴的。對有些人來說，真理只不過是權宜之計。只有在不影響「達成交易」的情況下，誠實才對他們重要。但是，歪曲事實的短期利益往往伴隨著長遠的後果。「口吐真言，永遠堅立；舌說謊話，只存片時。」（箴言 12章19節）

真理提供安全感和信心。當人們表明他們重視真理誠實和正直時，這使他們的客戶 – 包括員工、利害關係人（stakeholders）和供應商，能夠有信心地與他們合作。「用詭詐之舌求財的，就是自己取死；所得之財乃是吹來吹去的浮雲。」（箴言 21章6節）

真理帶來自由。不誠實的嚴酷現實是，如果我們不誠實，就很難記住自己說過的話。另一方面，真實的陳述相對容易記住。誠實使我們擺脫了說謊被拆穿的恐懼。正如耶穌告訴祂的追隨者所說的：「 你們必曉得真理，真理必叫你們得以自由。」（約翰福音 8章32節）

© 2021. Robert J. Tamasy 是企業巔峰: 給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧 一書的作者。也與導師之心的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書: 透過苦難成長。Mike Landry. Bob的網站為www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com

備註：如果你手上有聖經，想要閱讀更多與這個主題相關的內容，請參考下面的經文：

詩篇 85篇10-12節
85:10 慈愛和誠實彼此相遇；公義和平安彼此相親。
85:11 誠實從地而生；公義從天而現。
85:12 耶和華必將好處賜給我們；我們的地也要多出土產。
箴言 10章9節
10:9 行正直路的，步步安穩；走彎曲道的，必致敗露。
箴言11章3節
11:3 正直人的純正必引導自己；奸詐人的乖僻必毀滅自己。
箴言12章22節
12:22 說謊言的嘴為耶和華所憎惡；行事誠實的，為他所喜悅。
箴言14章5節
14:5 誠實見證人不說謊話；假見證人吐出謊言。
箴言20章14節
20:14 買物的說：不好，不好；及至買去，他便自誇。
箴言29章4節
29:4 王藉公平，使國堅定；索要賄賂，使國傾敗。
約翰福音 4章23-24節
4:23 時候將到，如今就是了，那真正拜父的，要用心靈和誠實拜他，因為父要這樣的人拜他。
4:24   神是個靈（或無個字），所以拜他的必須用心靈和誠實拜他。」

反省與問題討論

1. 如果有人問你「什麼是真理？」，你會如何回答？你對真理的定義是什麼？
2. 你有沒有遇過有人這樣說：「這對你來說可能是真的，但對我來說不是」？他們說這句話的時候是什麼意思？這樣的說法是否有道理？為什麼？
3. 在你看來，誠實、始終願意為捍衛真理採取堅定立場的最大好處是什麼？
4. 你同意耶穌所說的「真理會讓你自由」嗎？如果同意，在哪些方面你發現它是真實的？

WHAT IS TRUTH? IS IT EVEN SUBJECT FOR DEBATE?

By Robert J. Tamasy

“What is truth?” This is a question countless people have asked through the ages. It has been a recurring topic for philosophers, sociologists, counselors, writers, even business and professional people. As if “truth” were an ever-changing commodity on some kind of philosophical buffet.

The quest for truth is important, whether it is during a criminal investigation, courtroom trial, or in the process of doing scientific research. Curiously, we hear people talking about “my truth,” as if what is valid for one person can be totally different for someone else. We certainly are entitled to our own opinions on various matters, but in many cases, truth is not subject to multiple choices.

Leadership consultant Tim Kight writes, “Truth exists independent of what someone ‘believes.’ If I believe the ice on the lake is thick, when in fact it is think, my belief does not change the thickness of the ice. If I act on my (false) belief and go ice skating on the lake, I put myself at risk. If I invite others to join me, they too are in danger.”

Truth, unlike the prices for goods or services, is not something that is negotiable. We may have different viewpoints on many things, but absolute truth does exist, contrary to what some factions in society would have us believe.

A notable discussion of truth took place while Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, was questioning Jesus Christ after Jewish leaders had him arrested. He asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?… What is it you have done?” Jesus replied, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Then Pilate asked the famous and, seemingly, debatable question, “What is truth?” (John 18:33-38).

Why should we concern ourselves with truth in the marketplace? Isn’t our everyday challenge to promote our brand, to finalize sales, and to achieve a profit so we can stay in business? Yes, that is correct – but we should not sacrifice the truth as we pursue these goals. It might be helpful to consider some of the things the Bible says about truth:

Truth proves us to be trustworthy. For some people, truth is used only when it is expedient. Honesty is important for them only if it does not interfere with “closing a deal.” However, the short-term benefits of distorting the truth often carry with them long-term consequences. “Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment” (Proverbs 12:19).

Truth offers security and confidence. When people demonstrate they value truth, honesty, and integrity, this enables their customers – including employees, stakeholders, and suppliers, to work with them confidently. “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare” (Proverbs 21:6).

Truth brings freedom. One of the harsh realities of being dishonesty is the difficulty in remembering what we have said if we have been untruthful. True statements, on the other hand, are comparatively easy to remember. Honesty frees us from the fear of being caught in a lie. As Jesus told His followers, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

© 2022. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; andThe Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. If someone were to ask you, “What is truth?”, how would you respond? What is your definition of truth?
2. Have you ever encountered someone who said, “That might be true for you, but it is not true for me”? What did they mean when they said that? Is there validity in such a statement? Why or why not? 
3. What, in your opinion, is the greatest benefit of being truthful, of always being willing to take a strong stand in defense of the truth?
4. Do you agree with Jesus’ declaration, “the truth will set you free”? If so, in what ways have you found that to be…true? 

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Psalm 85:10-12; Proverbs 10:9, 11:3, 12:22, 14:5, 20:14, 29:4; John 4:23-24

相關（靈修文章）：

• 週一嗎哪
• 讀經日引
• 荒漠甘泉
• 成語靈訓
• 真理再思
• 歲首到年終

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