You Sit on a Throne of Lies
Be totally honest, first of all with yourself.
Maxim #24
Sometimes I think that we don’t take the sin of lying seriously enough. We convince ourselves that a little fib is ok here and there and that it really doesn’t do much harm. We tend to forget that one of the 10 Commandments is, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”. It is too easy to narrow the parameters of this commandment so that things like little white lies are acceptable, instead of widening the parameters to include the many untruths that lead us away from Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
When I was teaching at Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, I had a student who would challenge me about how strictly we should follow the command to tell the truth by asking, “Should I tell the truth when someone asks how I like their new haircut when I think it is hideous?” And of course most men know that the correct answer to, “Does this dress make me look fat?” is always, “No”. I have come to see such situations as ones where we place charity above and beyond all other virtues.
But returning to the heart of this 24th Maxim for Christian Living, I think it is safe to say that being honest is at the top of the virtues, especially when it comes to ourselves. We are very good at deceiving ourselves when it comes to our own spiritual health and our own sinfulness. This is why it is important to have a good confessor, spiritual director or friend to keep ourselves honest. Without an honest assessment of where we are on our Christian journey it is difficult, if not impossible, to progress very far towards the goal of holiness.
A lack of honesty with others, on the other hand, can easily lead to the avoidance of conflict, and without conflict it is very difficult to form strong relationships with others. We do our families and communities a great disservice when we fail to have honest conversations. Of course we have to always remember to keep charity at the heart of all our interactions, but I for one don’t believe that dishonest conversations are all that loving. At the heart of the Christian life is speaking the truth in love. Holding these two virtues together requires a delicate balance, but I hope all Christians will have the courage to attempt it and when we fail to ask forgiveness and try again.
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