The Thrill of a Myth, The Pain of a Lie!

The Thrill of a Myth, The Pain of a Lie!Dr. Vincent D. HefnerPastorFirst Baptist ChurchCherryville, North CarolinaI have always been intrigued by the allure of a myth. Webster’s Dictionary defines a myth as “a person or thing having only an unverifiable or imaginary existence.” When I was a child I would stay up late at night on the weekends to watch the series “In Search of,” when it discussed various myths. Take for instance the legend of Big Foot. I was fascinated when the amateur film would role of a 10-foot ape walking in the woods of Washington State. Then they would have testimonies of people who had actually seen Big Foot in the wilderness or others who had seen his footprints on a muddy trail. I must confess that I went to the theatre to watch “The Legend of Boggie Creek” to prove to myself that there was such a thing as a Big Foot. I just knew that Hollywood would not lie about such a thing as Big Foot. Not to change the subject, but have you ever wondered why they called him “Big Foot?” With all the high quality pictures I have seen, he seems to be big all over, and hairy. Why not call him “Big Head” or “Big Hairy Monster”? I guess “Big Foot” was the best politically correct name. Too bad they have not caught him yet, but that is what makes a myth a myth.Other myths like UFO’s, Locke Nest Monster, Dracula, and Elvis sightings can be followed with regularity in certain tabloid newspapers sold at the supermarket. Even I have seen a man I think is Elvis driving an old Bonneville around another town. I guess it could be someone who looks like Elvis and who likes old cars and side burns. I didn’t want to say anything because it is bad medicine for a preacher to get a rumor started!However, I would like to mention a rumor that I dealt with in a previous church. The youth pastor came into my office and told me that someone had called the Church to ask about a fight that took place at a church league basketball game. The caller said that our church and another local church were playing when a fight broke out that involved even the fans in the bleachers. The man gave specific names of people from our church and gave details about the entire fight. He finished the conversation by saying that both teams had been kicked out of the league. Over the years I have learned one thing, never to jump to conclusions over hearsay, no matter how much information is included in the story. Later on that day, I called one of the young men allegedly involved in the basketball brawl and asked him if he knew about a fight at a basketball game. There was silence on the other end of the phone as if he was thinking of how to answer my question. He said that he had been refereeing some games at the Recreation Park for kids but there had been no real fights. Then I told him the whole story, and he told me the whole truth. He said, “Preacher, our church doesn’t even have a basketball team this year!” What?! This was not a myth, this was a lie. At least Big Foot left a footprint!John 8:31-32 says, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”(NAS) As Christians we should always speak the truth, for it is God’s truth that sets us free and keeps us free forever. The world should not have to wonder whether or not we speak the truth. One way of keeping our reputation is to make sure we don’t pass something on as truth when it is a myth, or even a lie. Don’t allow your character to be considered as a myth by the world, let them know that truth lives in you. Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!