When a Lie is Really Just Stretching the Truth

It never ceases to amuse, amaze, and frustrate me that what you see is not what you get. Did you ever wonder why there is a Securities and Exchange Commission? How about the Consumer Protection Act? Another example is the need for a label on a gasoline pump stating that the amount delivered is the amount for which you paid. Proverbs 11:1 says, “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” God can see the stretching of truth, the bending of truth, and all of the other clever deceptions in our lives.

When We Want to Lie and put a pretty Face on it, we can Stretch the Truth
One way we do this is to “stretch the truth.” In other words, we exaggerate something in order to mislead someone without “technically” lying. We can also try bending the truth. I can alter or omit certain details of a story in order to achieve my goal.
Creative Idioms for lying are Manifold
This is how we do it in English: It was just a “little white lie.” We are really being nice when we do this because we say something that is not true in order not to hurt someone’s feelings. However, we don’t want to be taken to the cleaners by someone. That probably means they are going to take something from us in a way that seems good to us until we get the results.
Some just like to “pull the wool over someone’s eyes.” I just don’t want you to see reality so I will deceive you to take advantage of you. In fact, we know we need to “take something with a grain of salt” because some sources aren’t reliable. We want to keep in mind that what is being said may not be completely true because the source is not a reliable source. We know we need to be skeptical of what is being said.
Product Lies

We see examples of product lies almost every day. They are so common that we often think this is normal. The size of the box lies about the contents. The television commercial, and even the signs in the fast-food restaurant lie about the burgers. A rope looks like it is good for climbing, but it isn’t. Perhaps we need to be a bit more focused on seeing truth so that we can spot the deceptions.

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus
A follower of Jesus takes great comfort in the reality that he tells us the truth. I have read the scriptures from cover-to-cover. They tell the truth about me, about life, about relationships, about wealth, and about anything else that really matters, like eternity. Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
Five Minute Friday
This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.
All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.
WOW! What a great blog! I will never look at a little white lie, or an exaggeration, or leaving details out in the same way again. I liked your last paragraph about a true Christian. Very good blog.
Terri
#10 FMF
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White and little tiny lies
are like the thing that Jesus told
to conceited Pharisee guys
in the days of old.
Like tombs, they’re whitewashed outside
to shine in light of day,
but the things they really hide
are dead bones and decay,
so think on this when tempted
to mildly stretch the truth,
for what you’ve represented
is not your worth and proof,
but what Satan’s placed within,
old-fashioned inconvenience…sin!
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The older one gets, the spec sheet, reviews, family and friends stories, history of product success and a solid warranty from a reliable company…are boxes to check. It’s sad that our countries leadership has earned such poor reviews.
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Great post! love the contrasts you show
Just popped by from FMF #20
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