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A few years ago, the President of the United States
confessed that he had "an inappropriate relationship" with Monica
Lewinsky, an intern at the White House, and that he had "misled
people." Citizens of the United States
immediately began to debate whether President Clinton should remain in
the highest position of the country. Some said that he should be
removed from office while others said that he should resign. However,
one thing became clear to everyone - the American baby boomer
generation has become used to deceit being a normal part of life.
What is deceit, and why is it so wrong? How does one find victory over deceit if it has been a part of their character? First, we need to understand that truth and deceit are incompatible. They can't live in the same house. In fact, deceit is often the withholding of truth. It's telling partial truth but not "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." Deceit is somewhat different from lying in that a lie is a direct contradiction of the truth. Deceit is much more subtle. It simply doesn't give a full disclosure of the truth and is usually rooted in selfish ambition.
Justice is built upon truth, and without it, there can be no justice. Once truth is compromised, then justice ceases to exist. That's why the actions of President Clinton are so grave. If truth doesn't have its way, then the entire American system of Justice collapses. If that were to happen, then it would only be a matter of time for the United States to exist as a nation that leads in world affairs.
But there's an even more critical issue for the Christian. The goal in the life of the believer is to become like Christ. One particular description of Jesus in the Bible continually amazes me. John, inspired by the Holy Spirit described Jesus, saying that He was "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). In the debate over the President of the United States, we hear two distinct voices being raised. One demands truth. The other cries for grace. One says that justice is the issue. The other claims forgiveness is that which is needed.
But when we look to the Savior, we see absolute truth and perfect grace. He carries justice in one hand and forgiveness in the other. There is no partial truth nor any incomplete forgiveness in Him. The standard for the Christian is not the American judicial system (or any other political system). It's not the opinion polls of the day. The standard is absolute purity and perfection. It's full forgiveness. It's simply Jesus. There's no deceit in Him. He is absolute and total truth. If we are to know His forgiveness, then we must come clean about the dirt in our lives. There's no room for half truths. They only lead to total deception.
If we are to experience victory over deceit, then we must learn to be painfully honest. John wrote in his first epistle, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8, 9). Notice how interconnected truth, justice and forgiveness are in that passage, and observe how related denial and deceit are. The victorious Christian life is one lived in the light of the truth. Victory can only be seen in the spotlight of truth.
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