Isaiah warns us, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa 5:20 ) If this doesn’t describe many Americans today, nothing does.

Recently I decided that it was time to trade in my car and find something a little bigger and newer for my growing family. I received a phone call from a certain dealership, not in this town, telling me that I’m already approved and that I can come in and drive off in my new automobile. I went in to the dealership and filled out the application and waited. The sales lady came back out with a big smile on her face and gladly informed us that we have been approved and that our credit was fine for the process to go through. My wife and I were ecstatic. The lady goes to finish her work and then comes back to tell us that since I do not receive W2’s for my type of work, I need to have someone on my credit app that has more verifiable income. I said fine, and proceeded to call my dad and asked for his help. He immediately obliged me.

Everything was going great! We were going to be able to get the vehicle that we needed and be on our way. The lady then came out again and mentioned that she’s just going to put my address on the papers seeing how that I’m the one buying the car and that the paperwork and registration needed to be at my address. Being a person to normally trust someone rather than not, I said that’s fine. She’s the specialist. She should know how to set this up correctly.

Once everything was signed and ready to be sent off to my dad for his signatures, we were told that we needed to provide some proof that my father’s address was mine. In other words, they lied to the bank that my dad and I lived in the same house so that I could secure financing for this car easier, and they wanted me to create some fraudulent document to show proof of something that they lied about to the banks. They even asked if my father would change his address at his bank and print off a statement for proof!

I couldn’t believe that a professional outfit as this major car dealer would practice things like that. When I refused to do that and asked them to go about it another way, they refused and demanded that I bring back the vehicle. That’s fine. A company that would lie and commit fraud with a financial institution wouldn’t care to be dishonest with their patrons!

What about our ethics today?! Is it only those that cheat, steal, and lie that get ahead in life or can one live an honest life and still be successful? I believe that we can live honestly and still get ahead.

Solomon tells us, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Prov 6:16-19 ) Lying is something that God hates! Jesus tells us, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 21:8 ) Those that lie and are deceitful are listed among murders and whoremongers. Lying is a serious offence to the law of God!

Many feel that a white lie that doesn’t hurt anyone is alright. Is this true? The scriptures do not teach of any difference in lies. Paul says, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.” (Col 3:9 ) The word lie comes from a Greek word that means “to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.” (Strong’s) Paul also says, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” (Eph 4:25 ) Lying in the scriptures is simply anything false or anything untrue. It is as simple as that. Lying is condemned and hated by God no matter how ‘white’ they may seem. Let us all be truthful and not deceitful!