We all have opinions about what makes a lie, BIG or small. ‘Little white lies,’ as some lies are called, are thought to be even harmless.
Lying is a fallacy of men, women, boys, and girls. Kids lie about eating the cookie in question with crumbs on their faces yelling, “Look in their mouths.”
Sometimes parents lie to their children about not having money to avoid a frivolous spending spree. They say politicians lie about any and everything.
But the unsurprising prevalence and social acceptance of lies do not nullify the the truth.
And if the truth is told, a lie isn’t without consequences regardless of its perceived size or origin.
There are all kinds of Pinocchios telling whoppers.
Lying isn’t a political issue but a moral one. And morally, a lie is neither big nor small; it’s simply not the truth. This is the truth: a liar is the author of every untruth. And that’s why liars hate the truth serum or the Ninth Commandment, “Thou shalt not lie.” Many people prefer to leave God out of their conversations and declarations.
The truth is: a lie, whether big or small, is despicable and unbecoming of a Christian.
What makes a lie big is everyone should be able to see it for what it is. What makes a big lie is there’s not an ounce or fragment of truth in it. It’s as big as the nose on your face. You’ve heard people say, ‘that’s a bald-faced lie.’ It’s right in front of unseeing eyes. It’s flagrant, intentional, and blatant.
What makes a lie big is that it is absurd!
To say that Africans immigrated to America is a COLOSSAL lie!
Sorry, I got a little carried away! Even that lie isn’t colossal; it’s simply not the truth.
What makes a lie big is it’s egregious and impactful to millions. The truth is: no one is absolved from the liabilities of lying. Somebody is going to pay for breeding and believing in them.
Moreover, what makes a lie big is leaders who cultivate it and the number of people who believe it.
What makes a lie big is it can divide families, friends, countries, and nations. A lie can start a war.
There are two big reasons people tell lies:
(1) They benefit from them.
(2) They want to deny the truth to prevent others from benefitting from the truth.
If the truth is told, everyone benefits from the truth. The Bible says, “The truth shall set you free” (John 8:32 NIV).
The truth doesn’t change for anyone: popes, kings, queens, prime ministers, or presidents.
We should all give voice to the truth.
I found the following poem about lies. The author of the poem is unknown.
First, somebody told it,
Then the room couldn’t hold it,
So the busy tongues rolled it
Till they got it outside.
Then the crowd came across it,
And never once lost it,
But tossed it and tossed it,
Till it grew long and wide.
This lie brought forth others,
Dark sisters and brothers,
And fathers and mothers–
A terrible crew.
And while headlong they hurried,
The people they flurried,
And troubled and worried,
As lies always do.
And so evil-bodied,
This monster lay goaded,
Till at last it exploded
In smoke and in shame.
Then from mud and from mire
The pieces flew higher,
And hit the sad victim
And killed a good name.
God says a liar, or he who practice lying, shall not tarry in His sight (Psalm 101:7 NIV).”
We must be courageous, faithful, and tell the truth.
Stay Woke.
Stay Safe.