Today’s society has altered most (if not all) of the basic human core values that exist. Indeed, popular culture is continually turning us away from the true significance of things and redirecting us to a different view and mindset.
In this new context, the definition of good and evil is now open to debate and what was once universally recognized as wrong is being given a new label and meaning.
Slowly but surely, we are being pushed to revoke the truth and the good morality we were taught to adopt a new way of life made of: lies, deceit, and falsehood.
Bad behaviors
Lies, lies, lies…
Lie suppresses and nullifies the truth. In other words there is no truth in a lie. Whether we call it half truth or white lie, its sole purpose is to deceive others.
In Leviticus 19:11, God clearly said: “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another”.
Yet, lies have spilled everywhere – from the early stages of life to the very end of it – and both christians and unbelievers are practicing them daily.
Examples are…
– The now established tradition to teach our children to believe in a man who rides a flying sleigh;
– The common falsifications of news reports, research experiments, and polls;
– False advertising all around us on billboards, television screens, etc.;
– “Enhancements” on resumes and bogus references to appear the best candidates for the job;
– Lies on tax forms for some, and manipulation of the tax code by others in order to pay less or nothing at all;
– Perjury under oath in courtrooms to seek revenge;
… The list goes on.
The double life
The double life is the life of the unrepentant, people-pleasers, and hypocrites, who put on a mask of good deeds while living a life that goes in the opposite direction.
Hidden from the sight of men – but not from God – they are (1) nice to people, but despising them in their hearts; (2) Christians, but still lusting after the world; (3) married, but actively flirting; (4) preachers the day, yet bound to vice at night; (5) talking nice, but not meaning one bit of it; (6) officially coming to help, but will do anything to sabotage; (7) loyal during business hours, but selling companies’ secrets at night; Etc.
Being truthful
Truthfulness is a simple, yet honorable quality in a person.
A truthful man opens his mouth cautiously and does not make vain promises because he is bound to his word. Therefore when he speaks, one listens and when he makes a promise, one waits for its fulfillment.
Jesus, the most excellent truth, walked in all the ways of His Father. He never bent the rules, or “customized” them to His own needs. Moreover, he remained faithful to His assignment (John 17:4).
Speaking to His disciples, before his crucifixion, He said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”; Thus, teaching them there is no other way to salvation outside of Him, for He is the only savior and redeemer of our souls (John 10:7-10) – and this statement is entirely true.
When privately or publicly asked a question, He always spoke the truth without fear, and so should we.
Did everybody receive Him, or the word He was preaching? No!
Did all Israel believe He was the Son of God, No!
Knowing this, did He adjust His message so He could make more people believe in Him? No!
Simply because what is of God has no part in the works of the darkness… And lie is one of them.
Jesus-Christ NEVER said one single lie, “enhanced” the Word of God, sugar-coated the scriptures, or made bogus promises.
Then, how come so many of His followers today are living in total contradiction of his example?
Every person can distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, for that’s the forbidden fruit our ancestors Adam and Eve ate in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3).
Therefore, every man knows in his heart when he is speaking a lie. Lying is a sin, and he who sins should be in fear of the judgement of God.
Thus, let our ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and our ‘No,’ ‘No’. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one (Matthew 5:37).