Minister’s Hot Takes

Lies, Integrity, and the World That Works for Everyone

"Our time should be devoted to knowing the Truth that sets humanity free from the problem of ignorance; that Truth which alone can bring enlightenment to the world, that war should cease, that people should live together in harmony because they have recognized the Divinity within each other." Ernest Holmes

Lies are everywhere — and most of us know it.

I worked for a long time in the arts, specifically in theater. Over the years, I have been fortunate to meet and get to know well-known people in show business. So, when stories about them circulate on social media, I often know the facts firsthand. And what I see, again and again, are stories that are clearly, demonstrably untrue — fabricated for clicks, for drama, for engagement.

It's a small but revealing window into something much larger: we live in a time when people are not afraid to simply make things up.

The Cost of Untruth

Lies don't just distort facts — they erode trust. It can look like outright untruths or intentional misdirection of the related context. What we know and what our teaching tells us is that when trust erodes, our ability to connect authentically breaks down. We lose the joy and camaraderie of collaborating to build something lasting together. Every relationship — personal, professional, communal, global — runs on the currency of trust. When we devalue that currency with careless or intentional dishonesty, we all become poorer for it.

The consequences are everywhere. Division. Suspicion. A creeping sense that we can't quite believe anything or anyone. These are not just social inconveniences — they are genuine obstacles to peace.

Integrity as a Spiritual Practice

Don Miguel Ruiz, in The Four Agreements, offers what may be the most foundational principle for a life well-lived: Be impeccable with your word. Not just avoiding outright lies, but speaking with intention, with care, with love. Our words carry creative power. They shape perception, influence action, and ripple outward in both expected and unexpected ways. 

At CSL Nashville, we understand this. The Science of Mind teaching reminds us that consciousness precedes experience — that the inner life becomes the outer world. If we want a world that works for everyone, we must begin by becoming people whose words can be trusted. People who say what they mean and mean what they say. People who tell the truth even when it's inconvenient. Also, people who create brave spaces to share our truth without judgment and with compassion. 

Peace Begins With Us

If peace is to come in our lifetime — and it can — it will not arrive through force or legislation alone. A collective commitment to integrity will usher it in. One conversation at a time. One relationship at a time. Ernest Holmes reminds us, "Wake Up! Your word is all-powerful." 

What would shift in your life this week if you committed fully to that practice?

Rev. John W. Adams

Senior Minister | CSLN