Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.
This passage of scripture teaches us that lying in all of its various forms, is an abomination to the Lord, and as such should not be harbored, practiced, encouraged, or cultivated by the Christian. Truth is the currency in which God deals, and thus, we as Christians are commanded to follow in His footsteps. As Moses was writing under the inspiration of The Holy Ghost, he declared the name of the Lord, and in his descriptions, he mentions the fact that God is a God of truth, with justice and righteousness being the foundation of His government. Therefore as Christians, we are to reflect these virtues in our everyday interaction with our fellowmen, and more so with God. Let's read:
Deuteronomy 32:3 Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
However, it is a sad commentary on our day that exaggeration has become a part of our daily lives, and there are many who gloss over the practice as being the norm, without knowing that it is a form of lying. Whenever the facts in a particular matter are artificially inflated to create a desired result, either positive or negative, then lying has taken place. Exaggeration takes place all day long in the many advertisements of medicines, goods, and services that are advertised on radio and television, for the good attributes of products are lauded to the high heavens, whilst the detrimental aspects are studiously hidden from view, or are minimized to the point where the unwary are brainwashed in to making light of serious side effects. This is a common practice, and has become a part of doing business as usual.
Then there is also exaggeration on a personal level, in which insurance claims are bloated in order to receive exorbitant payouts from companies. As a matter of fact, it is a reality that some people make their living by staging accidents, and then going to complicit chiropractors, who then inflate the supposed injuries of the persons in question, and then insurance claims are filed with the sole intention of bilking those institutions out of as much funds as possible.
There was a day when a person was reversing, and did not know that a vehicle was parked just behind. And so there was a mini accident, with very minor damages to one vehicle, but no one was in it at the time. The owner of the damaged car, who was standing about twenty feet away from the scene saw what was taking place, and ran over to see the damage, and then, with agitated mien, called for the police so that the appropriate ticket could be written up. Not long after, the owner of the vehicle at fault received notice that a lawsuit for personal injury was pending, and soon after, hospital bills and chiropractor claims started coming in, until the insurance company finally settled the matter with a lump sum payment that was made to cover the supposed cost of personal injuries.
What had taken place in this instance was not only an exaggeration of the facts, but also a series of blatant lies, with the hope of receiving ill-gotten gain. As Christians living in a world where fraud is the name of the game, we are commanded by God, and are under solemn obligation to stay clear of any such activities and practices, for not only do they cast a shadow over our profession of faith in The Lord Jesus, but they also cause the name of Christ to be evil spoken of, by those who have no love for God in the first place.
Truth, equity, honesty and integrity should be our watchwords in all of our interactions with our fellowmen, for Christians are not to live for the here and now, but more so for the great hereafter. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to practice speaking and living the truth in any and every situation, until by the grace and power of God, it becomes second nature to every fiber of our being. Let's read:
Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro".... "by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!