A Little White Lie

Love you all, praying for you.
 
Why do people lie? Have you ever noticed – how much easier it is to talk about other people, than yourself?  So lets just continue.  Why do people lie?  I think perhaps the number one reason – is because they don’t want others to think less of them.  They don’t want to be thought less of – when their actions reveal a lack of character or diligence, or kindness or fairness, or wisdom… And they don’t really want others to know it – the truth, or the full truth about them.  When their motives are selfish, they would rather people not recognize their true heart.  So they lie.  Most lies aren’t bald-faced untruths.  Most lies are shades of hiding or repositioning.  Like the car for sale that shows the good side, not the side with the dent in it.  We always want to be viewed in the best light, so our reputation doesn’t suffer.  So that it’s enhanced, not diminished, or at least protected.  So we use words that make us look better than we are, or than we did, that make our real actions or motives not quite so visible.  Most lies are for gain.  To gain advantage or prevent loss, whether reputation, money, or benefit, to keep from getting caught, or to gain advantage or increase.  Why do people do that?  Selfishness, yes, but it’s really the old nature rearing its ugly head.  Some people habitually lie, to protect themselves, and increase themselves.  Others lie because they believe a lie.  Liars are the most easily deceived themselves – because they lie to others, they are most susceptible to lies themselves – they reap what they sow.  They repeat the lies they have themselves been deceived to believe.  While all of this is natural, it is not the character or nature of God.  And not God’s will for you.   God is truth.  There is no lie in Him.  God hates lies, because they come from the father of lies, not the Father in heaven.  His standard for truth in our life is not just higher, it’s complete.  And while honesty doesn’t come naturally, it does for your new man.  The new heart, the clean heart you’ve been given in Christ.  Walk in the Spirit and you won’t fulfill the desires of the old man.  You won’t need to be dishonest to protect your reputation, because you no longer do those things – that require lies to cover up.  You motive is love, not self-preservation, or self-advantage.  When you seek God’s plans, and do them only, and you soak in His Word that transforms your mind… When you value His blessing and favor, more than the couple dollars that a lie could produce, it’s laughable that you would sacrifice God’s blessing on your life by choosing a lie.  Sometimes people will never know.  But God knows, and He has truth for you to hear and believe and become – because He is truth.  His power can overcome a lifetime of lies.  Don’t get fooled by this one.  Some people say – "I just tell the truth, I just tell it like it is.”  That’s a lie, you’re not telling the truth, you’re just being rude.  That’s just selfishness, saying what you want to say, when you want to say it, inconsiderate of others or what might be best for them.  You’re not telling the truth, that’s just a lie.  Don’t fall for it.  Praise God - what you were, you are no more.  What you used to do, you don’t have to.  What you couldn’t do, He has grace for you to overcome.  It starts with God’s Word.  Praying that you will review the Relationship Topic – Honesty.  It is so important to God.  It will position you for God’s blessing and favor.  It’s the character of God which is now become the character of you.  Praying that truth is your shield.  That the Word of truth is your diet and consumption, so the character of God shines through every thought you think, every word you speak, every principle you believe, and every action you take.  Honesty is the beauty of God’s character – and it brings you eternal gain.  It never brings loss, it brings increase in the end.  Praying that God’s Word will produce His character in you every time.  That you will speak the truth in love.  Love for God, and love for others. 
 
Love you all,
dad