WE all lie.
Lying has been a part of our everyday lives, unfortunately. It seems like each day, I see deception on both traditional and social media from both sides of the spectrum of society. Some justify these lies only to make another lie. Some can get very creative. Lying can be habit-forming and can be honed as a skill. Some deliberately lie to feel safe from the hostile environment of a critical media and a watchful civil society. Some politicians, past and present, have this propensity to make campaign promises, only to break them as soon as they get into office.
Politicians will likely land at the top of any lying statistical survey, yet are often rewarded with another term in office. In a typical campaign strategy, organized lying, more known as propaganda, aims to exercise power over others by limiting or distorting the truth by way of control and concoction. Lying has been a way of life.
Psychological studies have shown that lying is a common phenomenon. Lying to others seems normal yet can be constructive on very few occasions. For instance, since telling the truth to a murder suspect may dampen his morale, some lawyers tend to stretch the truth, if only to give hope to their client. Perhaps, among all professionals, lawyers are notoriously associated with lying. Or to put it mildly, lawyers are known as fact fabricators or truth distortion experts, if only to benefit their clients’ cause. That is the reason perhaps why Shakespeare once said, “let’s kill all the lawyers.”
But lying to ourselves is not only abnormal but can be totally destructive. Take the case of this one Internet personality, who projected a life of wealth and generosity by posting videos of him giving relief goods while challenging his neighbors to do the same. His YouTube channel had a significant number of followers, all duped by living lie. He is currently in detention due to some outstanding warrants of arrest. Using multiple identities by way of two passports, this person’s entire life appears to be one great lie after another.
We all lie.
Some lie about the littlest of things, like one golfer I know who purposely declares a wrong score just to win a measly bet. I can consider this untruth as a little white lie, arguably excusable since its impact, at least to me, is limited to a few pesos. But, to the speaker, such a trivial lie reflects his character. He might win some bets, but at the expense of his honor. Some lie by twisting the simple truth, like the PNP general who kept on giving different versions and angles of his “mañanita” party if only to escape liability from current quarantine rules. Now, this white lie may appear harmless or trivial to the speaker’s point of view and, unfortunately, even to his superiors’ perspective. The PNP leadership found nothing untruthful in their statements while valiantly explaining that the photos of a birthday celebration did not violate social distancing rules and the restrictions against mass gatherings. Alas, such lie, uttered by the speaker and tolerated by his superiors, tarnishes the image of the institution, raises questions as to the rationale/spirit of quarantine rules, and destroys the very credibility of the government response to the pandemic. Stretching the truth is often practiced, but seldom punished.
Others lie more often than others. Sadly, research shows that all people lie everyday even though lying is considered wrong. Science has helped us detect when a person is lying, as in the case of polygraph test, which measures heart rate, skin conductivity, and rate of respiration. Polygraph, however, is not really a lie detector but a fear detector. Anyone who is a comfortable liar, say a poker player, can easily pass a polygraph test. There is no such thing as 100 percent accurate lie detection test, aside from our God who can see and knows the truth. There is only one version of truth in His eyes. And such truth will last forever, as lies will soon be exposed. In our mortal selves, when we lie to ourselves to avoid being punished or to protect another person from being punished, then lying becomes the worst kind. I wished my PMA classmate, that PNP general, was more truthful to himself. To make a mistake is not necessarily wrong, but simply being human. But, lying about such mistake is not only wrong but also shameful.
We all lie.
Some lies may be justified as acceptable if, for instance, the motive is to get out of awkward situations or out of tact or politeness. But some lies, when anchored on evil motives, are totally unacceptable. While we all lie, let’s remember it is always a sin. We may save others or ourselves from punishment by lying, but our God who is just and right always knows our motives. “Liar liar, pants on fire” is a term used when a great lie is exposed to everyone such that the liar’s pants are burning to attract instant attention. “Pants on fire” indicates that others can readily see the lie, but, despite feeling the panicky heat in his legs, the speaker refuses to admit the lie.
Lying may promote or preserve our careers (PNP general), gain wealth and popularity (Internet personality), or elect us to office (some call them seasoned politicians), but, in the end, lying displeases our true master. After all, the Bible in Proverbs 12:22 tells us, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.” Lying is inevitable, science will tell us. But lying can be tempered by a conscious effort to please the One and not himself or the other.
We all lie, but not everyone has pants on fire.
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.