Truth can be hard to see.
Untruths, deceptions, and lies are tricky. Sometimes they masquerade as half-truths or partial truths. I don't know many people who would label themselves as liars but we may be more vulnerable to lie-telling than we'd readily admit. Do you ever do these things...?
*Exaggerate, i.e. make it seem bigger, better or brighter than it is. How about attendance numbers at that last fundraiser or donations you've received this year? How about number of people served by your organization or ministry?
*Tell little white lies. "I asked Jane to take care of that." "You look fantastic today." "I didn't realize we were out of toilet paper."
*Deny. "You didn't tell me that." "I didn't get your email." "No, we didn't talk about you." "I wasn't aware of that."
*Omit, i.e., deliberately leave out important information that changes the whole picture of what is true.
*Deceive, i.e., deliberately leading someone to believe something is true that isn't.
Deflections of truth may seem more harmless than outwardly misleading someone, but lying is a slippery slope. Hold yourself to the standard of truth-telling. Be challenged to watch over your words and don't settle for less than what is the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
