Few months ago I heard an Indian politician saying, not to believe everything what the media says. To prove her point, she referred to her own practice as a journalist. Actually I did not take her comments seriously. But some of the recent developments around the world and the way media handled it, show that not everything we hear is true. Certain stories are over - emphasized or taken out of context to give a different picture. At the same time some incidents are just ignored as it doesn't suit their purposes. There are so many shocking events the mainstream media neglect.
It's not just about media only, even a casual look around us reveal that there are so much falsehood and half-truths going on and we are slowly being accustomed to such a lifestyle. From the general public to the rich and powerful, all try a lie here and there to achieve each one’s agenda. Many tend to think, trick and tactics are more valuable than honesty and openness. For them truthfulness and sincerity is old-fashioned; not a respected virtue!
What should be the Christian attitude to such a mindset of the modern man? If we are not clear about it, chances are that we too may be influenced by this worldly attitude and begin to simply follow the crowd. Consider five things in this context.
1. Falsehood and deception are marks of satan. John 8:44
“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
From the Garden of Eden we can notice the deceptive work of devil. Satan lied to Eve about God’s truthfulness, righteousness and goodness. In Job 1:10, 11 we see him lying to God about man. Thus throughout history we can notice the way satan used falsehood to accomplish his evil schemes. The word of God also tells us that in future, devil will energize the antichrist to speak lies. 1Jn 2:22.
2. It’s one of the features of a sinful life. Rom 3:13
"Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips."
As man became a slave to satan, no wonder he is just imitating devil ‘the father of lies.’ As referred earlier, today man has found many excuses to whitewash his lies. Many think there are even white lies. We should not forget that exaggeration, flattery, half-truth, hiding a fact, slander, tale-bearing, fabricated stories to tarnish the reputation of another etc are all different aspects of lie and it comes from satan. (Cf. Leve 19: 16; 1Tim 5:13; Psa 55: 21; 101:5; Jude v. 16.) God’s people must be aware that anything other than truth is evil and we cannot part of it.
3. Deception affects generations. Gen 27: 24; 37: 32.
Abraham lied about his wife; his son Isaac repeated the same. Jacob, Isaac’s son in a very treacherous manner deceived his father, brother and father in law. Jacob’s sons also continued the same. See how the habit of falsehood spreads to generations. David’s dishonesty passed on to his son and it was so terrible for David to bear. cf. 2Sam 13:6. This is something we should be careful about, our children notice our hypocrisy and follow it. Sad to notice that in spite of the too many examples before us, we refuse to learn and amend our ways. Oh, how much we ought to be true and sincere even before our children, at the least for the sake of their blessed future!
4. Outcome of lying is destructive. Pro. 21:6.
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.” –
The consequences of any lie are far reaching. Not only it spreads to generations, but also damages the life and reputation of many. Think of the result Haman’s lying in the book of Esther. King made decree to destroy an entire community. It was the lie of Nero that resulted in the persecution of Christians in the first century. The result of unfaithful and fraudulent dealings will never be good for any.
5. Liars do not last. Pro 12:9.
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Whether lie, liar or whatever achieved dishonestly, cannot last for long. It is foolishness to think that we can succeed with falsehood forever. We know the lie of Gehazi and the results. Cf. 2King 5:22. Lie of Hamaan did not survive either. Esther 3:8. We cannot continue forever with our deceptive life style.
“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD” – Pro 12:22 . Our God hates any form of falsehood. Some, with sweet talk and diplomatic dealings gain the confidence and good-will of many, alas one day God almighty Himself intervenes, the deception is revealed. One day He will punish all the liars. Reve 21:8.
Follow truth
At the same time, He delights in those who act faithfully for He is a God of truth. Deut 32:4; Jn 14:6; 18:31. As God’s people let us be marked by truthfulness just like our Lord. There was no deceit found in his mouth. Malachi 2:6; 1Peter 2:22.
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Eph 4: 25.
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” 1Peter 2:1
It is true that our commitment to truth will be costly. We may lose many things just because we refused to follow falsehood. But remember, the Lord does take note of our truthfulness. He saw the sincerity of Nathanael and commended him. "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Jn 1:47.
He will never forsake the true and sincere. The Lord will stand with those who stand for the truth. He will not withhold any goodness to those who walk uprightly. Let us shun anything false but love and promote truth.
