Lying by exaggeration

This morning the stories about Osama’s end are being revised. The “million dollar mansion” he was reportedly living in was not luxurious at all. The ‘prolonged firefight’ did not happen, with only one person firing at the Seals who did the raid. Osama did not use his wife as a human shield. It’s easy to get the story wrong in the excitement of the moment, but I think other things were a factor, including making this villain even more villainous to enhanced the story of his capture. My experience with the news makes me discount much of what I read and hear, thinking - "So, what really happened? What is the kernel of fact under the layers of padding?"

Hyperbole is not the problem. When a person says, "I've told you a thousand times!" we know what they mean, that their words are not to be taken literally. The problem is word inflation, which is just plain old dishonesty. It is everywhere around us.

• Candidates for political office say things that are designed to impress. "It's so good to be here in NJ, the best state in the US. I always look forward to visiting beautiful downtown Newark." The audience politely applauds while thinking, "How many times have you said that this week?"

• Job titles are handed out that mean little in reality but that give the appearance of importance. Have you ever noticed how many assistant vice presidents there are in banks?

• Advertisers routinely mislead consumers, though carefully within guidelines that avoid legal repercussion.

• A couple of years ago my grandson and I visited McD's where he got a Happy Meal, which included a little toy. After a moment, he threw the toy down on the table in disgust. "What's the matter?" I asked. "It doesn't work like on TV!" he replied. Hey, little boy, welcome to the deceptive world.

Even though ‘everybody does it’ we who follow Christ must not go along with the trend of dishonesty. We must not fall into the trap of padding our stories. It is sin. Jesus tells us "Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." (Matthew 5:37, The Message) He made this statement while talking about vows and promises. Our word should be so filled with integrity that we feel no need to buttress our truthfulness by saying things like, "I swear to God!" Those who follow Him should be so transparent that no one even thinks to wonder if there is any need to search for hidden messages. James, likewise, directs us to plain speech. "Since you know that God cares, let your language show it. Don't add words like "I swear to God" to your own words. Don't show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you." (James 5:12, The Message)

Disciple, have developed a habit of inflation, even in the little stuff? Do you exaggerate the tone of another's words? When you speak of yourself do your words make no more, no less of the situation than is real? Do you use language in a way that always shines the favorable light on yourself?

Aim for honesty. I am not suggesting that in the name of being real that we have to say hurtful, mean, or ugly things! There's a time for discretion which is expressed best by silence. Sometimes the best words are no words. Honor the Lord by refusing all forms of puffery, dishonesty, and fluff! Refuse to cultivate an image. Be the person God, in His grace, has called you to be, nothing more, nothing less.

Here’s the word from the Word. "We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God." (2 Corinthians 4:2, NIV)