From the Pulpit: Called by God!

Deceit is a pretty tough word. Webster defines it as: 1.)  the act of representing as true what is known to be false. 2.)  a dishonest action or trick. Definition shortened up a bit, but you get the drift. 

So now 2 questions:

1.) Have you ever been deceived?

2.) Have you ever deceived?   

The first question is easily answered as another’s actions are most clearly able to be called out. When we find out the truth. After all, if we were the one deceived, we are the aggrieved – the one deceived by another.

But how about number 2?  

There are rationales; the truth might hurt; they don’t need to know the truth now; good reasons exist to not tell the truth right now – but later is okay; what they don’t know won’t hurt them; they aren’t ready for the truth; I don’t feel comfortable telling the truth; really, I don’t know the truth. And the ever present – just avoid talking about it.

With those rationales we don’t even truly see it as deceit.

How interesting is it that we can justify our deceit so much easier than accept another’s reasons for it. 

And I just realized something while writing this.  Labeling something as deceit makes it so much more serious than calling it a lie, or a little white lie.  That is interesting.   

But when you have been deceived – well – time for an apology – an explanation – a reckoning regarding trust going forward. 

Something to think about.