Fact of Fable
Fact or Fable? 11/11/2022
Would I lie? Doesn’t everyone? Are we all liars? No. Well, not exactly.
Sometimes a person will lie to escape perceived consequences, or a person will lie to avoid social events. We neither want to get in trouble, nor appear to dislike someone. “The dog ate my homework.” Or, “I’m going to Mom and Dad’s that day.” Or, “They’re called ‘catfish,’ because at night they climb up trees and eat baby birds.” (That last one’s a joke my older brother played on me when I was just a tyke, and when I was older I repeated it and was not just a little embarrassed.)
But a liar is somewhat more than that. Far less innocent, there is an intent to cause substantial harm with the deception. Maybe the lie is passed through secondary channels — another person or a social platform, either human or electronic. Liars think no one will know, and they will get away with it. But the Creation sees. God who sits on the throne in Heaven sees.
“In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings.” — Revelation 4:7–8 (The four living creatures represent both wild and domestic animals, humans, and birds.)
“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” — Luke 12:2
Finally, a person may repeat a lie ignorantly, believing it to be a truth, passing it along to others, compounding the harm — great or small. Don’t be quick to repeat anything you have yet to confirm.
“My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.” — 1 John 4:1 (The Message, paraphrase). Also, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
In other words keep your head screwed on tight and your lips from fluttering aimlessly in the breeze.
I suppose the money-grubbing and political “evangelists” are extremely irritating, but becoming angry only takes away from one’s own personal peace and may also upset one’s stomach.
Are Aesop’s Fables lies? No. Of course not. They are fictions told from illustrations from real life to impart wisdom. Jesus used real life situations also to impart wisdom and insight. Liars have been around from the beginning of Creation, and I think of the Bible records almost as parables to give Humanity wisdom and insight. Yet, the Bible is not a collection of fables. It is factual and actual and historical.
There is going to be a new Heaven and Earth, but those who refuse to learn those Bible lessons of wisdom and insight will not be there, but will have their lot with the Father of lies. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:..” — 1 Corinthians 6:9
You can find out the truth for yourselves by setting up WiFi with God. Call on Jesus if you have questions. It’s a free trial. Try it. If you’re not satisfied, call me. Of course, if you really don’t want to talk about it, I’m not the Complaint Department, so no skin off my nose, but I’ll still try to resolve your issues. (And I know there are many issues.)
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” — 1 John 4:9–10.
