Most people lie at sometimes. lots of people lie lots of times. The liar always has a good reason. Lies are generally meant to gain advantage, avoid cost, embarrassment or discomfort or, occasionally they are designed to protect someone else or make someone feel good or less bad. The assumption, of course is that the liar will not be caught. This parable about being caught in a lie – in a church no less — brings the point home.
A minister asked his congregation, “Next week I’ll preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, please read Mark 17.” The next Sunday, he asked for a show of hands, “How many of you read Mark 17?” Almost every hand went up. The minister frowned and said, “Mark has only 16 chapters. Now, let’s talk about lying.”