A man from Vermont wrote to circus owner P.T. Barnum, offering a cherry-colored cat for $100. Barnum, always on the lookout for rare attractions for his “Greatest Show on Earth,” replied that he would send the money if the man guaranteed the cat was genuine. When Barnum received a written guarantee, he sent the money. Within a few days, he received a crate. When he opened it, a black cat jumped out. There was a ribbon tied around the cat, with a note that read, “Up here in Vermont, the cherries are black!”
My guess is the guy from Vermont was a sex addict. At the very least, he had mastered the art of deception.
That’s what defines an addict. We don’t usually lie, per se. We just frame the truth in a way that is entirely misleading. The goal is to say whatever is necessary to produce the most desired outcome in the moment. Of course, this always breeds disastrous results.
The Bible warns, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech” (1 Peter 3:10).
Recovery Step: Learn to tell 100% of the truth 100% of the time. Your recovery – and sanity – depend on it.
