By Russell Stephen Pang

Did George Washington really say, "I cannot tell a lie. I chopped down the cherry tree"? Or was it pure fabrication by someone other than George?

Proverbs tells us that "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight."

Jesus said, "The devil has no truth in him, that he is a liar and the father of all lies."

In spite of the above Scriptures, isn't lying prevalent throughout society that it appears to be an acceptable lifestyle for many?

Don't politicians "spin" so often that it's difficult to discern truth from fiction as they deflect, misdirect or manipulate information?

Even jury trials, where witnesses swear to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" aren't immune.

Perhaps to ease our conscience further about lying, we soften the "L" word by describing lies or lying with other terms. Isn't it easier to say, "I misspoke" or "I was less than truthful" than to say, "I lied."

Isn't the "little white lie" alibi handy to rationalize our actions, "We don't want to hurt someone else's feelings."

How many of our relationships could be built on this foundation of sand where we don't say what we mean or mean what we say?

Is it deception when we share less than the whole truth? Is it manipulation when we share only selected truth? Is the slightest distortion of truth the most devious lie? Is this trend of lying reversible or are we caught in a runaway avalanche?

Or to ask another way: Is there a way back to truth telling?

I believe that Scripture sheds insight on how we should live our lives.

Jesus said, "We are in the world but not part of the world." The apostle Paul exhorts us, "Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Paul further challenges us, "If we be risen with Christ, we should seek things above"; that we "Lie not one to another seeing that we have put off the old man with his deeds"; that "Whatsoever we do in word or deed, we do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the father by him"; "And whatsoever we do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men."

Will we confess that lying is sin and that we have all lied in the past? This very moment, will we vow that our desire, our will, is to please God by speaking truthfully in all future circumstances?

If our motivation is to walk in the light of God, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sin.

Maya Angelou said it well:

"You did what you knew how to do and when you knew better, you did better."

So may we not be deterred by the past or be anxious about the future, but may we focus on the moment and our commitment to please our Lord Jesus, who is the truth.

Russell Stephen Pang lives in Kane'ohe.

Correction: A previous version of this column had a wrong photo.