LYING - the attempt to put a different "spin" on reality in order to change it, (usually to one's perceived advantage).  We gain momentary approval but risk losing our inner integrity in the process.

Maybe I'm becoming cynical.  While I am the kind of guy that takes people and situations at face value,  I find I am becoming more suspect of the things they tell me.  I am discovering that many people's words are not honest or true.

And I feel pressure to shade the truth "just a little" to protect myself.  I even want to give partial answers when I'm talking about others in order to put their best face forward.  Is the truth harder to come by nowadays?

I feel indicted by Jesus' admonition to:

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No'' 'No';  anything beyond this comes from the evil one."  [Matthew 5:37]

When I want to justify myself or protect someone else I end up adding words which I hope will give the hearer my version of the truth.  Yet I want to be a "man who is as good as his word."  I want people to believe that what I say is honest and accurate and true . . . even if the truth hurts.  Do you feel the same pressure I'm experiencing?

If so, you join the ranks of millions of people who battle with the issue of lying.  The truth is getting harder to tell.  The temptation to rationalize our behavior, to give false compliments to manipulate people, and the tendency to avoid telling the "whole truth and nothing but the truth" is growing stronger all the time.

 It also is getting harder to tell what the real truth is.  We are surrounded by lies.  Our media  wants us to believe what isn't really true in order to sell us a product, service or way of thinking.  They even want us to change our sense of morality to fit their scheme of things to justify their immorality.  We are in danger of losing our sense of right and wrong because we are giving up our adherence to an external standard for truth given by God.  Deep down we want to be people of integrity.  Consider this description of a "true blue" person:

"My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just;  none of them is crooked or perverse."
[Proverbs 8:7-8]

• How do you feel the pressure to tell "little white lies" you know aren't exactly true?
• Do you wonder if people trust your word?  In what ways do you find yourself betraying your integrity at times to avoid conflict or pain, even punishment?
• What is one practical step you can take to become more honest, trustworthy?