Lies have Short Legs
Lies Have Short Legs
There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. (Luke 12:2)
Recently I thought about an incident that took place when I was sixteen. As I was driving home from high school, I took a turn too sharply, going too fast, and skidded on the rain-drenched asphalt. I tried to regain control but slammed into a guardrail. No other cars were involved, but my fender was crunched. But because I was afraid, I told my parents that another car hit me and drove away. The police were called, and a report was filed—a report filled with lies.
Obviously the police never found the phantom car that hit me, and I thought I was home free until my friend Tricia asked about the accident at church in front of my parents. Unknown to me, Tricia was nearby and saw me hit the guardrail. So when she asked how much damage my car sustained from the guardrail, my parents were confused. I mumbled through an answer to Tricia and excused my parents and me as quickly as possible.
There is an old saying: Lies have short legs. My lies found me out in a matter of days, and I damaged the trust of my parents. When I lied, I was hoping to avoid repercussions. Instead, by lying, I caused a rift in my family.
The Bible calls Satan the father of lies. The Bible also says that all lies will eventually be exposed. Even if the truth is ugly, uncomfortable, and painful, there is strength in honesty and integrity. Telling the truth allows us to be transparent and open with others. And this transparency draws people in and attracts others to us. When we choose honesty over lying, we are choosing God and reflecting His presence in our lives.