We’ve all lied in our lives. From the time we’re small children, we soon discover how to maneuver the truth to our advantage.  We may use a lie to cover up a bad behavior – to make ourselves look better – to avoid hurting someone’s feelings – to get our way.

We now live in a world filled with untruths.  We’ve come to a point where we don’t know what to believe anymore. Our media fills the air waves with untruths in order to be first with a story.  Our politicians are guilty of getting elected on one platform and carrying through their own agendas.  In our friendships, our work relationships, even our families, we may hide the truth or replace it with a lie.

The Bible is filled with stories of those who got themselves in a mess of trouble by not being honest.  The father of lies, Satan, was the first liar as he told Adam and Eve they could be like God if they ate the forbidden fruit.  That started the ball rolling and it’s been on a downward spiral ever since.

The fact that honesty is such an important word in our language, makes me wonder how we’ve gotten so far from it.  Success is now measured by how much money you make, what you have in possessions, how quick you climb the ladder no matter how you get there.  Integrity is still an important asset when it comes to business and all our dealings in life, even when it appears to be the least.

An actor strives to believable in presenting his character.  He studies hard, learns what  physical, mental and emotional aspects are involved. He learns about the time period, the pulse of society at that time, how the character fits in.  If he fails at  portraying the character, it’s because something didn’t ring true.

When we meet someone for the first time, we may be impressed with their background, their personality, their looks, but do we know their ulterior motives?  In our marriages, we try to be honest, but often tell a white lie to protect ourselves and not hurt the other.  Our children hear may hear us lying about something, and that will set the pace for what the children do in their lives.

It’s not always easy telling the truth, but doing so isn’t going to break you.  I’m not one for confrontation.  In fact the hardest thing for me to do is get in someone’s face.  Yes, I am a wimp, but I also harbor my feelings.  They grow within me and when they do come out, it’s usually a torrent of rage.  I’d be much better off if I was honest in the first place.

We’ve all failed at being completely honest.  The fact is, we often see through a lie and which is worse – being caught in one or having your reputation suffer because of it? That’s why we need a Savior.  Thankfully, Jesus took our place as the perfect sacrifice and paid the ultimate price.  He said, “I am the way, THE TRUTH and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6