Issue #70, November 30, 2011
A 2009 study found that men tell lies six times a day and women 3 times! Whether or not that is true, we live in a world filled with deception and lying is one of the big sins of the tongue. God’s expectation is clear, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices” (Colossians 3:9). How do servant leaders put this into practice in their own lives and with those they lead?
Servant leaders identify the varieties of lies.
Leaders recognize that there are many different ways to tell lies or spread falsehood. (Wikipedia lists 21 different kinds of lies!)
Lying can be done directly or by exaggeration. Leaders often are tempted to exaggerate the numbers or statistics that make them look good. We don't call it lying; we simply say that we are “stretching the truth!” Lying is often done in business to earn money. Products may be misrepresented or claims made that are not true. Financial records or receipts can be changed to increase income. Some tell lies to get a job. Lying can be done simply by giving a false impression and allowing people to believe something about us or a situation which is not true. At other times lying can be done simply by saying nothing!
Servant leaders identify the root cause of lies.
Leaders go beneath the surface to find the root cause of this sin. Why do we lie? Certainly there are many reasons that this sin is so common. We lie to shift blame, improve our self-image; or to control situations, people or outcomes. We lie to avoid confrontation and often assume that a relationship will be destroyed if we tell the truth. But, from my perspective, the primary reason we lie is because of our sinful nature. Lying is natural; no one has to teach us how to do it! When we lie, we reflect the nature of our enemy Satan whose native language is lying (John 8:44). Servant who leaders honestly recognize their own tendency towards deception, repent of their sin, and ask God for His help so that their life begins to reflect His truthful nature. This is a difficult and potentially long battle, especially when we have allowed this sin to take deep root in our hearts and practice. But it must be fought and won.
Servant leaders encourage a culture of truth.
After dealing with lies in their own lives, servant leaders begin to influence others around them to develop a culture of truth. They do this by their example as well as deliberate teaching and training of others. In communication with those who follow servant leaders intentionally tell the truth at all times and deliberately seek to share all that is helpful for their followers to know. They do not hold information from others unless it is absolutely necessary. They set high expectations of truth in their organization by refusing to listen to the lies of others and holding followers accountable to the standard of truth.
Servant leaders earn trust.
What is the outcome of truthfulness? Very simply, it is trust. Over time as followers observe a truthful leader, they respond by trusting the leader. Without trust it's impossible to lead effectively. Servant leaders recognize that serving others requires building trust and they are willing to pay the price to make it happen. As they do so they reap the reward of trust which enables them to lead more effectively. That’s the truth!
For further reflection and discussion:
- When is the last time I told a lie? (Be honest!) Dig a bit deeper. What was the root cause of that lie? In what way was it a reflection of my sinful nature? In what way did it impact my leadership? What have I done to make it right or what needs to be done?
- Are there specific situations in which I am most tempted to lie? What can I do to guard myself against these temptations?
- How do others see my truthfulness or lack thereof? Do my followers know that my "yes" means "yes" and my “no” means “no”? Can they count on me to be a person of my word?
- Reflect on the organization or group that you lead. What level of truthfulness characterizes the group? Are there ways in which my leadership is moving them towards greater truthfulness? Have I confronted lies recently among those I lead?
Take some time to reflect on the biblical teaching of the verses listed below and many others which deal with the topic of lies, truth and deception in Scripture.
Scriptures for future study/reflection: (Lev. 19:11, Num. 23:19, 1 Sam. 15:29, Psalms 5:6, 10:7, 34:13, 62:4, Proverbs 12:19, 14:5, 17:7, 19:5, 21:6, 12:22, 26:28, 29:12, 30:8, Jer. 5:31, 9:3, Ez. 13:19, 22, Hos. 7:13, 11:12 , John 8:44, Col. 3:9, 1 John 1:6,