Lying is an intrinsic evil. “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Prov. 12:22 RSV). Because of the ontological connection between truth and goodness, when we lie, we attack and hurt that which is good. This is why lying is classified as an intrinsic evil, for when we lie, we always denigrate the good which lies behind the truth that is being falsified. Therefore, we should not be surprised that the Law of Moses took lying seriously. “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” (Lev. 19:11 RSV). The Law of Moses tells us that we are expected to show respect to our neighbor, to love them (cf. Lev. 19:18), which, of course, we do not when we lie about them. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex. 20:16 RSV). And, as with all sins, the corruption of the good that comes out of lying, if it is left unchecked, will defile us so much, we risk finding ourselves in a cycle of continual degradation that could lead to eternal perdition. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who utters lies will perish” (Prov. 19:9 RSV). Obviously, this is not to say all liars will be damned, or even if any will ultimately suffer eternal perdition; we are warned, however, it is a possibility for those who grievously lie and hold onto their lies throughout eternity.
When we lie, we need to repent, and if we repent, grace can come into our lives and heal us from the harm we have caused ourselves due to lying. Then, we can set on the path of truth, the path which leads to salvation. Jesus, therefore, said if we are to be his disciples, we are to embrace the truth, allowing it to set us free: “Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’” (Jn. 8:31-32 RSV). If we follow Christ, if we love him, we will not only love the truth, we will worship him in and through our love for the truth. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:24 RSV). When we think nothing about lying, when we embrace it for the sake of our inordinate desires, we show we do not worship God in truth, and so, we are far following the way of salvation.
It amazes me how often those who talk about intrinsic evils, especially within a political discussion, rarely point out lying is an intrinsic evil. If they seriously believe we cannot vote for a politician who “supports” an intrinsic evil, why don’t they say that about those politicians who not only lie, but revel in their lies? If they answer that it is because all politicians lie, so it would be impossible to vote for any politician, I would point out the kind of lie, the effects of the lie, differ from politician to politician. Thus, not all lies are equal, and not all politicians lie with the same quantity or gravity. We should be concerned with those who lie, who revel in their lies, and use their lies to promote other, especially grave, evils. That these commentators rarely, if ever, do that, makes me question if they even believe their own argument. They know there is a difference between supporting and promoting an evil, and tolerating it. They try to suggest toleration is support in regards politicians they do not like, but they will be the first to say no one is perfect when it is their own politician whose moral integrity is in question. We must realize that people will have various ways they might want to deal with some evil, and sometimes, they think those ways are best done by dealing with the root causes which lead people to doing such an evil than it is to make such actions illegal. Certainly, this was what St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas following him, suggested concerning prostitution. Just as it would be foolish to suggest Augustine and Thomas Aquinas supported prostitution because they wanted it to remain legal, it is similarly wrong to assume those who want various other evils to remain legal support those evils. Like Augustine and Aquinas, they often think there are better means to deal with the problem than by the mere force of law.
While lying is an intrinsic evil, it is best not to make lying, in and of itself, illegal. It would be impossible to enforce such a law in a just manner. What we should do is deal with those who lie, and our response to them should be based upon the lie they make, the harm the cause through their lies, and what they say in defense of their lies. While every lie contains a sin, we should keep in mind that not all lies, like any other sin, is not of equal value or gravity. When politicians lie to gain or maintain power, when they lie in order to have society cause harm to those they hate, their lying must be denounced, and we must question whether or not we should allow them to have any power. Thus, when J.D. Vance admitted he made up stories about Haitian immigrants, that he would continue to make up stories about anyone who gets in the way of his pursuit of power, Christians, and anyone else of good will, should have seen how dangerous Vance is and why he should not be given any power. Instead, it seems that those who otherwise like to moralize about intrinsic evils, had no qualms in supporting him, indeed, they just shrugged it off, proving that their rhetoric against intrinsic evils was pure sophistry.
The lies we see coming from the Trump administration are extremely grave in nature because they come out of malice, and the intention is to promote the harming (or execution) of innocents. For example, when Trump and J.D. Vance claim it is wrong for anyone (whether or not they are a former soldier, a politician, a reporter, or a common ordinary citizen) to tell soldiers they must disobey illegal orders, that it, when they claim it is the crime of sedition to tell soldiers not to engage war crimes, Trump and his administration not only are lying, their lying is intended to bring grave harm, not only to those who would suffer war crimes, but to those who call out such war crimes (as can be seen in the way Trump suggests executing those who call out such illegal actions). It’s amazing how many people talking about free speech and the right to free speech have already given that right up! Similarly, when the Trump administration tries to defend itself by laying blame for their actions (or inaction) on others, like Biden, the sin involved is much worse than the lie coming from someone lying in order to defend the honor of an innocent. Finally, when Trump lies in order to justify his vile attacks on migrants, the purpose of the lie, and the harm which it can and will cause, once again, suggests a grave sin is involved. Trump is using lies to promote his anti-immigrant agenda, and one can say, it is the same kind of agenda and technique used in totalitarian regimes. Why, then, are those Christians concerned about intrinsic evils willing to support him in his, or at least, remain silent?
Christians must do better. They must do away with those lies which lead to great pain and suffering in the world, such as those which lead the poor, the oppressed, the migrant, and others Christ lifted up as representing himself, to be persecuted and killed. “Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Eph. 4:25 RSV). Christians are to love their neighbor, which, as Christ showed us in the parable of the Good Samaritan, means everyone, especially those who society looks down upon and is willing to oppress. We must not only look after those who are “our own” and ignore everyone else. We must help everyone, especially those in need. We must help those who suffer grave harm due to the lies being told about them. In the time of Trump, this includes refugees, and other migrants, as well as the poor and others the structures of sin oppress.
* This Is Another Post From My Personal (Informal) Reflections And Speculations Series
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