Well, I'm willing to bet that you don't have to be a Christian to detest lying also. If you've ever been the target of someone's lies or witnessed someone intentionally deceiving someone, you know how hurtful it can be. I remember when elders used to say if you lie, you steal; if you steal, you kill. Meaning, one bad action leads to a worse action. Since I blog about communications, this is one pitfall in our conversations that should not be overlooked. Is it common sense to say don't lie because it's wrong? It would seem so, but unfortunately, people do it anyway. It is estimated that we are lied to as many as 200 times a day. Several surveys have been conducted asking people how often they lie. But the numbers often come back low enough that researchers think the participants were lying about lying.
Of course, people have all sorts of reasons for lying. Some feel they are justified because they are trying to protect someone else in some way. Others feel the small ones they tell are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Still some feel it's okay because they're telling a partial truth. Regardless of the reasons why people lie, the fact remains that they do. We have to find a better way to communicate so that we maintain our integrity. I'm willing to bet that most of the lies we tell are for selfish reasons. Unless you don't care if your credibility is busted, you should be trying to protect your reputation as a reliable and trustworthy person. To be thought otherwise compromises your ability to lead and serve. Who wants to follow a liar? Who would trust a liar to deliver on his promises? Who would believe a gossip or busybody? Who would trust their heart to a deceiver in a romantic relationship?
Lying hurts feelings and futures. Lying destroys reputations and lives. Lying fuels hate and more lies. Whether a victim of falsehoods or a perpetrator of them, there is no good thing in lying.
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