Lying is one of the most prevalent moral problems we face. It affects private relationships, families, social lives, business practices, entertainment, music, etc. Lying is everywhere. We find it at school, on the golf course, at the grocery store…even in the church. Lying is at epidemic proportions!
The Day America Told the Truth by James Patterson and Peter Kim says that: 91% of Americans lie regularly; 63% men and 52% woman have lied to protect themselves; and 40% said they had lied on job applications. What does this tell us? It says that Christians are not immune from the temptation (Ephesians 4:25; Philippians 4:8). God is not pleased! (Jeremiah 9: 3-9)
Our words should be well thought out and our words should be few. For example, if we tell someone that we will call them back tomorrow, and we have no intention of calling them, then we have lied. This excuse is often used with a deliberate intent to deceive. The person does not call back at the appointed time and will call back at a much later date with excuses of why they were unable to call which usually goes something like: “I just was so busy, I meant to call , but did not get around to it.”
We all have been guilty of this, but we need to realize when we say we will do something we need to keep our word. We do understand there are legitimate reasons that make it impossible at times to keep our word and in those circumstances we are not guilty of lying. But it might be better not to make this promise or to say, “I will try to call you back tomorrow
I could list numerous examples. The point is, any time we say the words “I will” we need to be responsible to do it. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that we have lied if we fail to act. We all, on occasion, fail to do the things we have good intentions of doing or we are hindered in some way and can’t do them.
However, if we are unable to keep an appointment we should be thoughtful enough to call and cancel, or tell of our delayed arrival. We are living in an age when there are so many uncaring attitudes expressed. Too often, these careless attitudes, if left unchecked for too long, can be construed as lies and deceit. As Christians, we can be good witnesses by being different.
None of us likes being lied to. None of us likes being falsely accused of lying. The reason is because truth is primarily a self-regarding virtue. In other words, it is in our own best self-interest to see things as either being true or untrue. If we wish to walk carefully through life, to do so we must be able to calculate our true position.
When you lie to me, you know your position but you have given me false data which obscures mine. When I lie to you, I create a situation in which you have a false view of reality and you may lose your way. (Jonathan Wallace, Lying, The Ethical Spectacle, May 2000, www.spectacle.org)
The implication of this is that no one who has any regard for his own dignity and self-respect will be guilty of the immorality of a lie. Even a liar does not like to be lied to. The one principle of truth that I have tried to demonstrate today is that lying must always involve malice (the desire to harm others).
In addition, it is possible for an honest person to understand truth such that he or she might make an error without any intention of deceiving. Such an honest person may prove himself to be inept, but not a liar. Just as the hypocrite is justly detested and despised, so should the liar be. However, as no honest man would ever consent to play the hypocrite, so no honest man will ever be guilty of a lie.
What kind of witness are we to those around us? As Christians we need to ask the Lord to forgive us if we are guilty of lying or deceit. Not only do we not want to lie, but we also want to keep our word so that people know we are honest and trustworthy.
On the other hand, before we point our finger at another for being a liar, we need to make sure that we can prove malice or intent, or we might be deceived and become liars ourselves. As Christians, we want to represent our Father well in this life and be honest and free from fabrication and false accusation. We can only do this through the power of the Holy Spirit as we seek to be like Jesus.
Jesus always kept His Word. God still keeps His Word and is faithful to keep every promise He makes in the Bible. That is why He is reliable and we can trust Him. We are called to be like Him. According to Webster’s dictionary, a lie is:
- To make a statement that one knows is false, especially with the intent to deceive.
- To give a false impression or action or false statement, especially with the intent to deceive.
- To make a false statement in order to evade the truth.
- The invention of a false story or excuse in order to deceive.
Are we guilty of lying when we do not keep our word? It is certainly true that if we knowingly tell someone that we are going to do something while at the same time knowing that we have no intentions of following through on our promise or commitment, then, we are guilty of lying - there was intent to deceive that person.
But if we do not follow through on a commitment or promise, it does not necessarily mean that we lied. Too often we are just too quick or rash with our mouth. One who is “hasty in word or impulsive in thought” doesn't take enough time to think about what they are saying. They usually don’t have too much thought behind their words. This can lead to other problems in our relations with God and others.
For instance, more often than not, making senseless vows or commitments is a result of talking too much. We tend to think in financial terms when we think of making vows, especially since Solomon says to “pay what you vow”. But much more is in mind here. It’s especially dangerous for a person to make vows, especially to God, if the person has no intention of keeping the vows.
When vows are made to God, there should be no delay in paying them; God has a right to require payment in full, and to not pay is considered sin before God. It is better not to vow, in which case the person will not be held guilty. The point is that our words should mean something. Our words should be well thought out and our words should be few.
In closing, lying is easy, but oftentimes the truth is hard. Are you known to be a truly honest person, or do people have to question you and wonder about your genuineness? Do you have a reputation as a liar, or do people know what you say is true? Is your word as good as your signature? Do you do what you say you will do? Do you tell the truth even when it will cost you something?
In closing, lying is easy, but oftentimes the truth is hard. Are you known to be a truly honest person, or do people have to question you and wonder about your genuineness? Do you have a reputation as a liar, or do people know what you say is true? Is your word as good as your signature? Do you do what you say you will do? Do you tell the truth even when it will cost you something?
Scripture: Colossians 3:9-10; Leviticus 19:12; Proverbs 25:18; Zechariah 8:17; Proverbs 14:5; 1 Kings 22:16; Proverbs 19:5; Deuteronomy 19:17-19; Revelation 21:8; James 3:14; Proverbs 12:19
Prayer: Father, from this day forward, I seek Your Truth and whatever it may look like. I trust You and Your Divine Plan because I know that I originally came from You. Protect me Father and help me to always speak the Truth and to purposefully move away from omissions, lies and anything that is not a deliberate reflection of Your Truth. Through Jesus Christ's Precious Blood and Most Holy Face. Amen
Have a blessed day!
Ginny
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