The truth is that most people think that they are really honest when they say ‘I never lie’. Yet given a bit of questioning, they quickly prove themselves incorrect. The fact is that everyone lies, white lies and otherwise. Some people make up little lies, some lie with deceptive intent, some with malicious intentions, some to cover up wrong doing, (excuses), some because they do not want to admit their imperfections, and others who are compulsive liars. The truth is that the average person lies about .75 times per day, but those in denial don’t want to believe that they are included.
When someone says ‘I never lie’, they may be unaware of the amount of dishonesty that comes off of their tongues. Ponder this quote from 1 John 1:8; If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Have you ever been pulled over by a policeman for speeding? Think about it, did the policeman ask you if you knew how fast you were going? Did you say I don’t know, when you did? Did you tell him 5 miles per hour less than what you knew your speed was? Oops, did you just realize something about yourself? The only way you could never tell a lie is to be perfect. Since none of us are perfect, then we must be telling lies from time to time. Here is a truthful quote from James 3:2; We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
What about when a friend asks you how you are doing? You say good or alright, when the truth is that you are not. Sure, that’s a minor infraction with regards to your dishonesty right? Do you tell lies when you are confronted with things that you are not proud of? What about the lies you tell when you are arguing with someone? And when you are in the middle of an argument, and the phone rings, you pick up the phone and act like there is nothing going on because you want to avoid the embarrassment of your relational shortcomings? The person on the other end of the phone greets you by asking some question that you in turn give some false reply to.
One lie often becomes a host of deceptions, a lie to cover up the last lie and so on. Look at this bible quote from Proverbs 10:19; When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. What about this quote from James 3:5; In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.
People lie about relationships, martial status, drug use, alcohol, smoking, gambling, money, finances, politics, religion, sex, cars, pets, age, weight, email, texts, health, jealously, habits, addictions, careers, work, school, grades, education levels, negative feelings about others, prejudices, racism, & about themselves due to low self esteems or victimhood. Popular liars quotes include; I didn’t do it, I love you, It wasn’t me, I’ll pray for you, and what difference does it make? (Hillary)
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? (Proverbs 20:9). Deception is a form of dishonesty, leaving out pertinent information to sway others in any manner is indeed a form of lying. A quotation from Jeremiah 2:22 says; Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me,” declares the Sovereign LORD. Who are we kidding, ourselves right?
It is estimated that we speak some 17,000 words a day, that’s a whole lot of words to be without lying. How often do you tell lies to your employer? You know when you call in sick when you really aren’t sick. Or when you are late for work and you blame it on traffic when it did not have anything to do with the traffic? What about when you go to a job interview, what kind of hogwash do you try to sell the potential employer?
Then there are the profuse liars and manipulative liars, like many of the politicians in the government. They lie to get political positions, they lie to cover up poor performance, and they lie because they want the public to believe something other than the truth. Harry Reid told reporters on July 14, 2014 “The border is secure,” despite the massive surge of illegal minors from Central America that was overwhelming federal agencies. Then there are the many falsehoods and deceptions of the liar Barrack Obama; For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:16).
You can see more truthful quotes from the bible in 2 Peter 2:3; And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. Also in Romans 16:18; For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. And in 2 Peter 2:14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed–an accursed brood!
Of those who are honest enough to admit their lying behaviors, about 56% think that they are getting away with lying. So these people are the liars who purposely lie to get out of something or to get over on others to obtain a selfish outcome. Proverbs 17:4 quotes; An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
Businesses of this day and age are not excluded, deception in the market place is on the rise with deceptive tactics taking the front lines. Businesses are now playing with words to deceive customers. Think of about this great new chicken deal, buy a bucket meal and get 2 free side dishes. Really? The bucket meal is already for $24 dollars, but you could simply buy a bucket of chicken for $10 or $14 dollars separately. It’s an advertising ploy, and frankly, it’s a lie, there is nothing free in it, the price already includes the so called free sides.
Check out the popular grocery store ads, 2 for 1 lies galore, buy one steak, get one free! The price on the steak is already jacked up to compensate for the one they say is free, what liars! This is not to say that all grocers do this, some do offer more legitimate deals, yet they all are raking in the dough! A quote to remember from Proverbs 10:9; Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
I say this, let no man deceive you with persuasive words. (Colossians 2:4). Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21). One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. – Luke 16:10