The Lie of Exaggeration

 Do not lie to each other… Colossians 3:9

 Props: can of soup, large (serving) spoon, gallon of water, six bowls

             When you think about lies, you probably think about things you may say that are completely opposite the truth.  Today, though, we’re going to talk about how a true story can easily become a lie.  One of the ways to change a true story into a lie is by exaggerating.  Exaggerating is adding things to the story to make it more than what it was.  The problem is that if you keep adding to the story, it’s not the truth any more. 

            Let me show you what I mean:  Years ago, there was a great depression in this country.  Many people didn’t have jobs, so they didn’t have enough money to buy food.  Often they would buy just a little food, then add to it to try and make it stretch.  For example, a mother might take a can of soup like this and try to make it feed 6 people.  (Display soup and distribute it among the bowls, adding water as you speak).  She would add water to it.  Then she might have to keep adding water until each bowl was filled.  (Hold up a bowl).  Is this the same as the soup in the can?  (Allow for response).  No!  This is more like flavored water. 

Adding to the truth has the same effect as adding to the soup: in the end, it’s not the same.  And adding to the truth, or exaggerating, is so easy to do.  Think about the times you don’t feel so well at school.  Most of the time you are still well enough to stay in school, but it’s so easy to tell your teacher and the nurse that you feel worse than you really do, just so you can go home.  Maybe your friends ask you how many video games you have.  You want to seem cool, so you tell them that you have boxes full, when really you only have a few.  Saying you were awake all night at your friend’s slumber party, when you know you slept some, is exaggerating, and it’s also a lie. 

            Remember that honesty is being truthful in everything you say and do.  Make up your mind today that you are going to be honest and tell the truth—without adding to it.