TELL THE TRUTH

A small boy was on the witness stand in an important lawsuit. The prosecuting attorney cross-examined him, and then delivered, he thought, a crushing blow to the boy’s testimony. “Your father has been telling you how to testify hasn’t he?” “Yes,” the boy replied without hesitating. “Now,” said the lawyer triumphantly, “just tell us how your father told you to testify.” “Well,” the boy responded, “he told me the lawyers would try to tangle me in my testimony, but if I would just be careful and tell the truth I could repeat the same thing every time.”

We have all dealt with the temptation to lie. We often rationalize in our own minds, “It’s just a little white lie,” or “No one will ever know,” or “No one will get hurt.” Jesus refers to Satan as the father of lies (John 8:44), and we do not want to be his children. WE must be aware of the dangers of lying in any shape, form or fashion.

God hates lying. “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19). I do not believe it is coincidence that two of these involve lying.

Lying brings consequences. “A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape” (Proverbs 19:5). As illustrated by the story above, when you start lying you have to keep up with your lies to keep your story straight. This is what catches so many people. They forget what lies they have told and then tell something that contradicts what was said earlier. Lying also destroys trust. It is difficult, if not impossible, to have a satisfying relationship with anyone (family, friends, business) you do not trust. While it may take years to build trust, it can be destroyed in a matter of seconds with one simple lie.

Lying will cause your soul to be lost. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). How sad would it be to be condemned to an eternal hell knowing it was because of your failure to tell the truth?

Always tell the truth and you can repeat the same thing every time.

--Lamar