The Opposite of Truth
Good morning. It is Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Jeanette Stark here.
What is the opposite of truth? More to the point, what is the opposite of telling the truth? A lie.
Have you ever lied to your children? Storks deliver babies.
Your spouse? By hiding that new purchase under the bed.
Your employer? I had a flat tire on the way to work.
Your friend? That baby is the cutest baby I have ever seen.
Maybe not big whopping lies; maybe just little white lies?
One of the most ingenious lies I have heard is parents who tell their kids the ice cream truck only plays music when they are out of ice cream.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “white lies” as, “lies about small or unimportant matters that someone tells to avoid hurting another person.” But is it okay to lie, even small little white lies? Let’s see what the Bible says about lies.
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22 NKJV
“Do not lie to one another…,” Colossians 3:9 NKJV
“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.” Leviticus 19:11 NKJV
“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.” James 3:14 NKJV
“Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:2
There are dozens of verses on lying. I did not find one that says a little lie is okay.
I found this article on-line and wanted to share a bit with you. “You are lied to dozens of times every day. They range from little white lies, such as people telling you they are doing great when in fact they are having a terrible day, to serious lies from loved ones and employers that have the potential to change your life…While you might like to think you’re an honest person, statistically speaking you too are a liar. Researchers estimate the average person lies a minimum of once to twice per day. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself these questions:
Do you ever give people compliments that aren’t completely genuine?
Have you told someone you were doing well when, in reality, you were exhausted and having a terrible week?
Do you ever tell people you are busy to avoid having to talk to them for an extended period of time or do something with them?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you’ve lied. Those are just a couple of the common scenarios that trigger the most lying. The good news? Most people are honest…”(Source: scienceofpeople.com)
Often a little lie leads to another lie and another and soon you have forgotten the very truth you were trying to hide. Some people lie so often they themselves begin to believe the very lie they spoke.
There is that expression: Honesty is the best policy. The truth may be difficult at times, but in the words of President George Washington “Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring ti to light.”
Hebrews 6:18 tells us that it is impossible for God to lie. Let’s be more like God and less like the devil.
Jesus speaks plainly of the devil in John 8:42-44. “Jesus said to them, “…You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
Satan is the father of lies. God cannot lie. Whose side do we chose to be on? Whose example will we allow to lead and influence our daily lives?
“Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not…turn aside to lies.” Psalm 40:4