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Psychology research has unearthed some truly confronting statistics within our modern, western society. It tells us that the average person will lie more than ten times each day. The prevalence of lying is reinforced in the statistic that people will, on average, lie three times within the first ten minutes of interacting with strangers in order to gain advantage over others. Intentionally deceiving someone for an advantage or our own personal gain is contrary to God’s will for lives. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” (Exodus 20:16)

No doubt, some of these lies are so as not to offend others. “Do you like the gift I gave you?” Unfortunately, the research also tells us that the more we lie the easier it becomes and the more likely we are to do it again. We can even lie to ourselves with the result of fooling our own selves through justification. Our inherited propensity to lie began when the knowledge of good and evil was ingested. Since then, we inherit the capacity to lie and have to work at walking in truth.

The good news in the research is that, although we have the capacity to lie, our bodies resist and give away tell-tale signs when we try to deceive others. Our heart rate increases, we move body parts, we give too much information, we don’t answer directly. There is an internal battle going on and we must decide between truth and lies. That is why we require the Spirit of Truth to guide us. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:” (John 16:13)

Our Lord’s words above were spoken to the Pharisees who had accused him of bearing false record of himself. He clearly explained that he was sent by the Father of Truth. He also indicated that there is a Father of Lies in the world that seeks to mislead mankind away from the truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

There are always two paths before us in our choices and there are two powers that will lead us to either life or death. We must consider whether we are following the Father of Truth or the Father of Lies in our life’s journey. Our role is to choose the pathway. Honesty is always the best policy.