“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22). “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices” (Colossians 3:9). ”

What is the real news? What is fake news? When trusted newsman Bryan Williams was caught manufacturing “reality,”  he was discredited and lost his position. He had everything going for him as the nightly news anchor. He had a great voice. He looked trustworthy. He was popular. But he couldn’t lead the nation through the events of the day without integrity. The Bible says, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:10-11).

Lying is a great temptation because it allows us to live in a different reality. It allows us to escape responsibility. It allows us to easily benefit from others falsely. The Bible says, “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1).

Lying will eventually catch up with us. We will be found to be a fraud (Proverbs 10:9). We will be judged before God and give an account. Honesty is the best policy.  In Acts 24:16 Paul said, “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” Lying may temporarily and easily get us an advantage. Honesty, though possibly painful, will allow us to have peace with both God and man.

D. L. DeBord

gloria in excelsis Deo