I
preached this last Lord's Day on the problem of lying. I believe it to be
one of the most prevalent and damaging problems in the lives of not only the
world, but Christians as well. It has become epidemic. It is in our private
relationships, our families, our social lives, our business practices. It's
everywhere--at school, at the golf course, at the PTA meeting, even in the
church.
Coincidentally, The Houston Post, in its June 4 issue, carried a review of
The Day America Told the Truth, a new book by J. Walter Thompson Advertising
Exec., Peter Kim and his associate James Patterson. It is an astonishing
look at the morals of our people. The picture is not pretty. For instance:
-- 91%
of Americans lie regularly
-- 63%
of American men and 52% of American women have lied to protect themselves.
-- 40%
of the people interviewed admitted to having lied on job applications.
-- 62%
think there's nothing morally wrong with the affairs they're having.
-- And
get this: 13% of the people have had an affair with a fellow worker. And
26% have shoplifted.
What a
sad description of our times! How deplorable that people have such little
regard for truth, such little respect for morality.
Can you
believe that?
A lie is
a false statement deliberately presented as being true; something meant to
deceive or give a wrong impression. And we all have trouble with that at
various times, some chronically. My Dad once spoke of a man who “would lie
for a check when he could get cash for telling the truth.”
Why do
people lie? Sometimes it's done to deceive
(Psalms 50:19);
sometimes to shirk responsibilities
(Luke 14:18,
An excuse is not a reason, it's a lie); sometimes out of fear (Matt.
26:69-74,
Peter's denial). And sometimes it's done to hurt someone (Gen.
39:14-17,
Potiphar's wife); or to get gain (Acts
5:1-10,
Ananias and Sapphira).
And yes,
there is such a thing as a religious lie
(1 Tim. 4:12; Rom. 1:25).
2 Cor. 11:13-15
is an apt description of those televangelists who have duped people in this
age by making claims of inspiration or having powers like those of the
apostles'. They have charmed old ladies out of fortunes, talked the ignorant
and superstitious out of their life savings, while they live in houses with
gold-plated faucets or carry on illicit relationships with prostitutes. This
is religion?
Some
lies are hard to detect. Self-righteousness, for instance, looks good on the
surface, but is no more than a subtle lie, an impression created to deceive
(Matthew 27:27-28).
One of
the worst forms of lying--and very subtle--is the innuendo. It is a rather
indirect implication or impression which often takes the form of an
insinuation. In fact, the word is from the Latin innuere, ``to nod to.''
Some of us nod just at the right time to leave a wrong or derogatory
impression. And one of the worst forms of the same is to not stand up for a
friend when you know what is being said is not so. Dereliction in such
instances is no different than a blatant lie. I see entirely too much of
this among brethren!
There
are other forms of subtle lies: To appear to be more than you are. To
discredit someone who has been praised. To transfer suspicion. To procreate
gossip. To get ahead in line. And that most subtle of lies, self-deception,
lying to yourself about yourself.
The end
of all liars is predicted. Lying is repulsive to God
(Prov. 16:16).
He warns against it
(Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; 1 Pet. 3:10).
He will punish all liars
(Prov. 19:5; Rev. 21:27).
Make no mistake about it, God will deal with all liars, those who make lies
and those who proliferate them.
No one
is immune. The problem is huge, greater than most of us realize. Let every
man examine himself and take care about lying. Let every person be impressed
with the value of truth. And let us teach our children that all lies are
sin.
Other Articles by Dee Bowman
Are We Just Lazy?
All That Glitters is not Gold
How
to Form a Good Character
What
Does Your Heart Want?
You Can
Tell
Repentance -
What Is It?
Intentions Won't Get It
I Saw a Friend Die
Its You're Life, You Know
How to Build a Good Character
Today is Today
Different by Design
Just Wad It Up and Start Over
Competition for the Mind
The Importance of Good Judgment
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