What do you call a piece of spaghetti wearing a false mustache? An impasta!

All levity aside, there’s nothing funny about someone deceiving or lying to us. In fact, there’s no better way to sabotage a relationship. Lying – any form of deception – kills relationships.

Being an impasta can manifest in many ways, such as submitting false expense accounts or taking credit for someone else’s work. Withholding information is also deceptive, including giving vague responses to avoid the truth.

It could also include exaggerating about our successes or skills. Ouch. It’s scary how easy it is to lie or exaggerate about ourselves, thus compromising our integrity.

If we’re honest (while discussing our lack of honesty), could we admit that even those of us who profess to be Christ-followers struggle with this sin? Perhaps we should all ask God to show us areas where we’re living in less-than-genuine ways.

Our questions shouldn’t be, “What little white lie or exaggeration can I get away with and still be Christlike?” or “What behavior can I get away with and still be okay with God?”

Rather, we should ask ourselves, “How can I behave in such a way as to reflect the One Who made me in His image?” We’d be wise to remember that “a lying tongue” is one of the seven things God hates:

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue. (Proverbs 6:16-17 ESV)

I’m not proud of the times I’ve deceived others in any way, especially since becoming a Christ-follower.

Read Ephesians 4:25 (ESV), taking special notice of the last phrase:

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

If we live and speak dishonestly to those with whom we do life, we not only compromise our Christian witness, we chip away at our self-respect and cheapen our relationships. Our friends will never get to know the real us. Eventually, we’ll lose sight of the truth about ourselves and others. Is lying, for any reason, worth the price?

Most of all, is it worth grieving our heavenly Father?

Let’s choose not to be an impasta. Especially a Christian impasta.

What about you?

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