Call Me Irresponsble? II

Let's return to a pamphlet we mentioned in our last post, which we picked up at our last casino poker day. It offered three "warning signs that you might be at risk" of a gambling problem. We called the first question unfair. Now let's continue....

2. Have you ever lied to family members, friends or others about how much you gamble or how much money you lost gambling?

We agree that this is a warning sign - especially when it comes to your family. While bluffing and "Hollywooding" are accepted parts of a poker tournament, outright lying should not be a part of a believer's game.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering tongue works ruin. - Proverbs 26:28

Let's apply this verse away from the table, to our question. You might think that lying "hate" is really love - that you don't want to hurt the feelings of people close to you, by revealing how big your losses really are. But the opposite is true,,,,

Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. - Ephesians 4:15-16 (CEV)

Yes, the truth can hurt. But it's always better than lying about what you're doing, and adding layers of distrust to a relationship. The Bible warns it can also ruin a relationship with God:

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. - Revelation 21:8

Believe it or not, the Bible speaks of two deaths. The first involves our physical flesh (Hebrews 9:27), while the potential second death follows judgment at the throne of Jesus Christ:

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. - Revelation 22:15

These people are placed outside the "holy city" known as the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:10). It's a truth so important that the end of the Bible mentions it twice - the liars get fire.

If you're lying to other people about gambling, it's ultimately about more than their friendship. Eternal life in God's Kingdom is at stake. So stop it. Tell the truth about what you're doing, as difficult as it may be. It ultimately will benefit you - and hopefully others around you.

(We'll address the third warning sign in a future post.)