Deception in This Dispensation

Martin L. Gross opines that ‘Politicians are the masters of deception’. It is worth noting that politicians are not only people who belong to political parties. They are everywhere. That is to affirm what James Sanborn said that ‘deception is everywhere’. Deception is one big challenge that leaders of various institutions find it difficult to deal with. Since those leaders cannot be everywhere to monitor the sequence of events at their workplace, they usually depend on information or messages delivered to them by their subordinates.

How are these leaders able to decipher between the truth and what looks like the truth? Just as there is a messenger behind every message, leaders should be vigilant when those messengers begin to exaggerate or attempt to overdo things. Most of these people pretend to have the interest of the leaders and institutions at heart yet they seek to fulfill their selfish interest.

It is for this reason Charles Dudley Warmer once said, ‘people always overdo the matter when they attempt deception’. These people are usually visible and pretend to be working when opportunities present themselves. They can go to any extent in an attempt to destroy those they see as threats. How sad! I wish everyone could think like Elizabeth (I) who prayed to God that she should not live for more than one hour if she ever thought of using deception.

Deception is not for the greater good. It is evil. Funny enough, Joseph B. Wirthin puts it right when he said, ‘Lucifer is a master at gradual deception’. How many Lucifers do we have at our workplaces? Leaders of various institutions should not be easily carried about by every information the people that have access to them bring to their notice. People change, times change, yet change is constant.

People do not change with time; they change with the decisions and choices they make. Every great system and institution is founded on the truth not on deception. The truth protects. Even though lies seem to travel faster, one will need to lie to keep a lie. What a life! No wonder E. V. Lucas concludes that ‘nothing is so boring as having to keep up a deception’.

In this dispensation, leaders of institutions should not be quick to draw conclusions from a one-sided reportage. Together, let's strengthen the system by rewarding hard work, reinforcing integrity and promoting teamwork. It is possible.