QUESTION #18
Are we true in our statements, or do we exaggerate and thus convey false impressions? Have we lied?

Today my physical therapist was telling me of a story of watching a couple work out at her gym. They agreed on a time goal for a particular exercise and began reps. By the end, the girl was so determined to finish the allotted time that she kept doing reps but was in very poor form. My PT then commented how it would have been better for her to have done less time with reps in a correct form to avoid messing her body up in the long run.

Often we think that if we exaggerate or fabricate things that are small, then they are insignificant. The reality is that like the girl doing reps, those small things we do with “wrong form” can cause serious altercations as time goes on. The same analogy applies when you think of flying an airplane. Imagine a plane taking off from Tulsa, Oklahoma and heading to Chicago, Illinois that starts 1 degree off course at the beginning. It stays on this path as it journeys East until what was once 1 degree is now so many miles that it lands in New York City. (Now mathematicians and pilots don’t calculate my silly analogy—math isn’t my strength ;) ) Really though, go with me on this. The person who gives false impressions in their speech and lives may start off small, but every lie is eroding their character. No longer will people trust them when they do reveal their real selves.

Truth is either truth or it isn’t. Profound statement right? ;) What I intended to convey from that is half truths or partial truths aren’t full truths. If we are to walk in the truth of God’s word, we must walk in truth. This needs to manifest in our speech, our actions, our relationships and all aspects of life. If we have a habit of lying, it must be put away so that truth may exude from our lives.

APPLICATION:
1. Are we true to ourselves? Beyond our interactions externally, are we living with truth of who we are?

2. What insecurities are the root cause behind your exaggerations?

SCRIPTURES:
Jesus says in the Gospels many times, “I tell you the truth”. While this is not a phrase we commonly use today, Jesus said this to emphasize that He was not lying.

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Ephesians 4:25Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.