TRUTH ABOUT LYING

by Pastor Timothy Fortune

(part 1-3)

Since the creation of man and his placement in the Garden of Eden lies and deception have plagued mankind. Here are a few examples; the serpent in the garden deceived Eve into eating of the forbidden fruit. Cain tries to deceive God about the death of his brother Able. Abram lies to the Egyptians about his wife being his sister putting the Egyptians in danger of judgment. Jacob deceives his father Isaac making him think he is his brother Esau and stealing the blessing. Laban deceives Jacob by giving him Leah first instead of Rachel. The eleven brothers of Joseph sell him into slavery and deceive their father into thinking Joseph was killed by a wild animal. Potiphar’s wife lies about Joseph causing him to lose his position as Potipar’s right hand person and is thrown into jail. All of these are in the first book of the bible and I didn’t mention all of the deception and lies that Genesis records.

In the New Testament there is all of the lies about Jesus. How he has committed evil, a winebibber and glutton. Then there is Peter who lies about being one of Jesus disciples. In the book of Acts we have lies told about Stephen who becomes a martyr. Also a couple sells a piece of land and lies to the Holy Spirit about the selling price and both end up dropping dead.

In society we have deception and lying on almost every level; from politics to pastors, accountants to anesthesiologist, and children to CEO’s. Lives have been destroyed, business ruined, trust broken, promises unfulfilled, and wars fought all because of lies and deception. Today lying seems to be the norm. We speak one thing to peoples face and say the opposite behind there back. In essence we lie to them. Sometimes we tell people what they want to hear instead of telling them the truth, and that is lying.

According to John 8:44 Lying is of the devil. “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” So here we can see that lying comes from the devil. So when we lie we are operating in style of the devil. Sometimes we think well it was just one little lie, it didn’t hurt anyone, no one knows that I lied. But God know the heart of man, He sees the inside and know our intents.

What is the 9 th commandment in Exodus 20? You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. And false witness is lying. God takes lying very serious. According to Revelation 21:8 it says, “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone...”Proverbs 6:16-19 says, “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. Two out of the seven things God hates has to do with lying. That tells me He really dislikes lying.

PART 2

Rumors, what are they? Webster’s dictionary defines rumors as a statement or report current without known authority for it’s truth. To break it down into simple language, rumors are just a form of lying. Because we hear something and based upon what was said to us, we take that as truth and then repeat it without first investigating and finding out the truth. And in the church we use the excuse of let me tell you what I heard so you can pray for the situation. But in reality we just want to tell something we heard and never even consider praying for the situation ourselves. We really aren’t telling the person so they will pray, that is just an excuse so we can justify running our mouth. Scripture says in Matthew 12:36, “Man will give and account for every idle word...” So all of our wasteful talk we will answer for it.

I read an article that said according to a study done by some psychologist people lie 200 times a day. Now I don’t know how accurate that is but that is astounding. If lying were a life threatening disease, according to this study, we would have an epidemic on our hands. Now most think I don’t tell lies, but when you are asked, “How are you” and you respond, “I’m great” yet on the inside you are falling apart, didn’t you just lie? How do you respond when ask is everything all right? Is it just some cliché answer to pacify the enquirer, if it is, isn’t that lying? We have justified our responses by thinking that’s not faith if I really tell how I am. But that itself is a lie.

Now I believe in speaking Gods word, not complaining and being negative, but sometimes I think in the faith movement we have produced a system that will not allow people to be real and themselves. It’s not a sin to say, “I don’t feel good” or “I am having a rough day” or “My life seams to be falling apart”. If God, Who loves us unconditionally and there is nothing we can do to make Him love us more or less, knows exactly how we are, and we cannot hide from Him, then being honest and expressing how we feel shouldn’t be made out to be bad. When our expressions turn into poor me I’m so pitiful everything goes bad in my life, and all we do is gripe, then that is wrong. But sharing with someone what you are going through and how you are feeling doesn’t make you evil. So don’t feel like you have to pretend to be perfect all the time and have everything together. We all go through things, just don’t lie about it. As a matter of fact it we would be more open and honest with each other then when someone knows that you are going through some stuff but yet you are Praising God anyway, then that in itself becomes a testimony to them. They can say, “If they can praise God while in the midst of that circumstance then I can rejoice in God through mine.”

PART 3

In the body of Christ it is imperative that we are honest with each other. For our on well being and that of other believes.

Why is it so important to be honest and not lie? We find the answer in John 8:31&32 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My words, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” It is the truth that unlocks the door in our souls and makes us free. Who wants to be free from all the things in life that bind us? The truth of Gods word is what will set us free.

Telling lies are binding like handcuffs or chains. But the truth is liberating and freeing. If you think about Adam in the Garden before his fall, he was free. No worries, his soul in total communion with God. WOW that had to have been an awesome time and experience with God. But, that is why Jesus came, so we could be restored back unto our original state. We can be in communion with the Father. Now it takes us working out our salvation everyday, doing our part, seeking after the Father instead of doing our own thing.

No notice what Jesus said, “ IF you abide in My words...” Now this says to me two things. One that I must everyday be in His word. Not just hearing the preacher on Sunday morning. But making my dwelling place in His word, living, meditation, thinking and constantly absorbing His word. Two the word if means I chose, so abiding in His word is a chose. Now by abiding in His word we can have assurance that we will constantly be aware of the truth, and by constantly knowing the truth that is what sets us free and keeps us free.

Sometimes the truth hurts but “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:6) The truth is like taking medicine it doesn’t taste good going down but it has healing affect.

Now all of us need to examine our lives more closely and see if we are living in lies and deception. Are we being totally honest upfront and walking in integrity? It is the truth that sets free, not lying and deceit.

When we lie it not only is not healthy for the person we are lying to but it is like rotten food in our gut. We have an uneasy, uncomfortable and troubled feeling on the inside. It is a sin and will hinder our prayers to God and keeps us from moving closer to God and walking in the light.

So the next time we open our mouth to speak be mindful of what you are about to say, is it a lie that is bonding or the truth, which is liberating.