Lies can be harmful

One of my favorite fairy tale characters is Pinocchio: the wooden, marionette boy carved by Geppetto who becomes a boy. I am most familiar with the Disney version of Carlo Collodi?s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. As a child, I was fascinated by Pinocchio?s growing nose when he lied. When Pinocchio is confronted by the Blue Fairy, he lies to her so many times his nose grows to the point of sprouting leaves, housing a bird?s nest, and with a final lie the leaves turn brown, fall, and the birds fly away. The Blue Fairy tells Pinocchio, ?A lie keeps growing and growing until it?s as plain as the nose on your face." In the Disney version, Pinocchio gets into several messes, but in the end all becomes right and Pinocchio becomes a real boy.

That sure makes for a cheerful story, but in real life lies are hurtful and destructive. We lie to preserve ourselves from the consequences of our actions, embarrassment, or the shame of not living up to our or others expectations. We also lie to build ourselves up at the expense of others. Unfortunately, lying can flow from one?s lips with ease and without hesitation. When in conversation with a liar, they will look straight into your eyes and speak venom as smooth as ice. We don?t live in a fairy tale land where noses actually grow. The cunning tongue of a liar can easily cause you to fall on their ice. You?re conned into their web of deceit and before you know it you?re passing on their lie as truth. We don?t have the wisdom of the Blue Fairy, so be wary of the gossip shared over coffee ? it just may be a lie. For lies become twisted into distorted lives of their own. Left in the wake of a liar are broken trust, tarnished reputations, and severed relationships.

God knew that lies would be destructive to the health of communities and relationships, so God gave us a few laws, ten to be exact, as a pure gift to keep us in a right relationship with God and one another. A liar?s tongue breaks these God given gifts and lays them in shambles upon the ground. Yet, Jesus stands in the middle of the shambles we lay at his feet. There amid our lies Jesus gives us another gift, a gift of freedom. Jesus said, ?If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.? John 8:31a-32 (NRSV). As beloved, real people of God, as Christians (disciples/followers of Jesus) we are freed from the bondage lies have over us. We are freed to speak the truth with boldness and confidence. Once the truth is told we are no longer captive to fear, but are released to know true joy.

Join us at Immanuel Lutheran (1226 E. Washington St., Washington) where you will be set free through the word of Jesus. We worship Sun 9 a.m. and Wed 6 p.m. with education on Sunday 10:30 a.m.