Truth or Consequences

by Tim Howard

I just finished reading a narrative found in Acts chapter 5 which talks about a young couple named Ananias and Sapphira. This Biblical story is very dramatic and ultimately ends in their death. It all happened because this husband and wife team concocted a plan, which involved lying, deception and greed. Money wasn’t the core issue but it was the vehicle that revealed their flawed character.

The core issue is seen when this young couple makes a bold faced, calculated lie to the Apostle Peter regarding some financial dealing they were involved in. Their lies, their deceitfulness and their false pretense led to their demise.

You may wonder about the severity of the penalty they paid for this falsehood but you must admit that in similar fashion many long lasting, healthy relationships have experienced the same fate because someone decided to lie and act deceptively.

Lying kills! Lying destroys! Lying severs relationships! Yet we all are tempted to do the same thing for a myriad of reasons. Peter asked Ananias and Sapphira, “Why? What made you lie to me and ultimately to God? How could you do such a thing?” Any person reading this text should begin to understand that lying is not the real problem or the main issue. It is a symptom of a deeper problem. Why do we lie? What prompts us to be deceitful? Allow me to suggest three reasons:

1. We lie to COVER UP something we don’t want seen. John 3:19-20 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” Many marriages and families have suffered severe ramifications because secrets were kept and lies were told.

2. We lie to avoid CONSEQUENCES. A child will lie to his mother so he doesn’t have to take a ‘time out’. An employee will lie to their employer to avoid some punishment and some adults will lie to protect themselves from an undesirable repercussion.

3. We lie to CREATE a better self-image. This is when you lie to impress people. Proverbs13:7 “One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” The word ‘pretends’ used in this verse is rooted in the word: ‘pretense.’ It is an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. When you live a life built on pretense, the path is littered with lying. You're trying to create an image or cover up low self-esteem so you lie. That’s what seems to be the motivating factor behind this couple’s act in chapter 5. They wanted to be viewed by others more favorably than they deserved. They were caught in the web of conceit and pride.

So what's the solution? It starts with identifying the motivational factor. Once you understand the motivation behind your lying, then you can begin to deal with the real issue by seeking God’s help. He is the author of truth. Everything he does is based on truth and there is no deceit in him. When you fall in love with Jesus and begin to follow instructions, you start growing a love of truth. Then if you look for the truth, learn the truth and listen to the truth, you will be on your way to becoming a person of integrity. The Consequences that come from living a truthful life outweigh the ramifications of a life based on lies and deception.