Lying Through our Teeth
by Rusty Miller
As we go to press, the nation is enthralled with the scandal in the White House. The president stands accused of adultery, deception and obstruction of justice. His detractors say it is time for him to consider resignation. His defenders call the allegations unfounded and say there is a rush to judgment against the president.
We do not claim to know the facts of the case and therefore, will not comment on it except in this manner: the most troubling aspect of the entire episode has been the reaction of the American people. In poll after poll, the people have stated none of this matters, even if the allegations are true.
This appalling lack of moral backbone is certainly one of the contributors to the decline of our nation. It is obvious someone is lying in this case, and whoever that may be, apparently they believe that to be perfectly within the realm of the political arena: lie to get ahead, and lie to stay in power. The president's accuser has been quoted as saying (concerning whether she would find it difficult to lie to protect him), "I was brought up with lies all the time. That's how you got along . . . I have lied my entire life." Indeed, the most common response to the charge of lying is, "Everybody does it." If so, the state of our nation is far worse than we had suspected. If so, we are caught in an epidemic size web of deceit and lies.
Though the entire issue is not devoted to the subject, you will find inside (pages 2 and 3) two articles dealing with lying. We have purposely left out the politics, for it must be communicated that lying is wrong no matter what the arena, and to center on the current scandal would almost certainly alienate one sector of our possible audience.
No matter what you believe to be true in this case, we hope that you will devote an open mind and heart to the study of lying, for God's position is certainly clear: "There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers" (Prov. 6:16-19).