‘..truth is both a sword and a shield in a democracy…” Justice Chandrachud

“Impossible!” we shake our heads and say in disbelief.
“That there’s actually someone who believes in the truth!” we whisper.

With lies, fake news, manipulation of data and tweaking of facts becoming a way of life, and even governments joining in the fray, it is a relief to millions to hear a lone voice albeit a powerful one defending truth!

The Supreme Court judge said the act of speaking truth counteracts power and obviates the predisposition to tyranny.

But what I liked best was what he also said, that, ‘truth is both a sword and shield!’

And hearing those words made me quickly skim the holy scriptures which also talk about swords and shields and fighting falsehood armed not just with truth, but wearing and bearing other weaponry and armoury any of which we can put on, equipping ourselves to do what the good judge wants us to do:

‘Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying….

Powerful words, right? Lines showing that upholding truth is not an easy task, and that to do so, you need to gird yourself, as if going into battle. Though Justice Chandrachud says that it is the duty of everybody in a democracy to fight for the truth, the scriptures warn us that to do so, we need to spiritually arm ourselves substantially well.

That we need Divine protection or the armour of God, so we can stand and fight, and with our own truthfulness buckled round our waist, we need to also put on the breastplate of righteousness! Which simply means, that to fight for truth we ourselves need to be uncorrupt or righteous! But the next line is even more powerful; we need to fight with a message of peace that comes from God. Only with such weaponry will we be able to fight the clouds of falsehood that slowly, yet steadily are enveloping us.

A big fight for truth is in store, but do not be afraid, for apart from the good Judge, a God above is ready to join and help us win the battle against falsehood..!

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