The Truth Will Make You Free!
The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble. – Proverbs 12:13 NKJV.
How often do you lie? How often do I lie? Do we lie once a year? Do we lie once a month? Do we lie once a week? Do we lie once a day? Or, do we lie even more often than that? There was a study conducted by a psychologist at the University of Virginia about how often people lie. One hundred forty-seven volunteers over a one week period wrote down every falsehood they told. The result was that these people averaged one or two little lies a day.
Why did they lie? They lied to make themselves look smarter, kinder, or more fun loving. They also lied to give a little push to things to make them go their way. Strangers were lied to much more frequently than friends, family, and spouses. However, one in four of the biggest deceptions are about extramarital affairs. The researcher conducting the study, Dr. Bella DePaulo, said “It’s like we save our most hurtful lies for the people we care about most.”
Have you ever been caught in a lie? I have and it is painful for all concerned. Before I was a Christian, I had a major problem with lying. It seemed I lied to avoid responsibilities and problems. I even lied sometimes to avoid hurting other people. The truth does sometimes hurt but a lie hurts even more. A lie is especially harmful between husbands and wives and between parents and children.
There is something about telling the truth that is freeing. Isn’t that what the Bible says in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”