“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
-Matthew 12:36,37.
God hates lies; this is a truth which ALL Christians should readily affirm. We need to be careful with our words, for we'll account for every one of them; and whether they are true, or lying.
But in society today we have embraced lies, accepted them. We consider lying to be a typical business practice, and it is so bad that we've learned to call this evil good, and the good opposing this practice is said to be evil (Isaiah 5:20).
Some lies have been handed down over generations, and repeated so often they are assumed to be true. God says that those who are of the truth will examine their works, to be sure they are of Him.
“But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” -John 3:21.
Within myself I feel a weight of judgment coming upon our world for the embracing of lies, and this is testified of in scripture. God says He will bring a strong delusion because of this; Jesus even says these will be the days of vengeance;
“For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” -Luke 21:22.
“...they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” -from 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
Strong delusion has certainly been showing up; when a man thinks he's a woman, that's a delusion. If a person thinks there are more than 2 genders, that's a delusion. When & where God brings delusion, He has given up (Isaiah 66:4). We dwell in a culture overspread with LIES.
We've changed the truth of God into a lie (Romans 1:25) via hundreds of Bible versions. The political leaders of our nation have taken power by their lies. Advertising lies about their products, and prices; contractors lie about when they'll show up! Holidays are built upon lies, and Hollywood also has corrupted the world through their lying presentations; all actors are liars, and it's their job to be good at it!
There should be no question on how God feels about lies. In the Old Testament, the 9th of the Ten Commandments speaks against it (Exodus 20:16), along with numerous other verses such as Psalm 31:18, 119:29, Proverbs 6:17-19, 13:5A, 14:5, 30:5,6,8,9, and these;
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” -Proverbs 12:22.
“...Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.” -from Isaiah 63:8.
Some may dig up examples of lying from the Old Testament, such as when both Abraham & Isaac lied about Sarah & Rebecca being their sisters, instead of their wives. Please understand that God never directed His people to lie, nor did He indicate approval when they did. God showed His view on lies in what He directly taught, like in the verses previously mentioned. Even so, this was in the time before the cross, and before the Holy Spirit was given for our help.
And by the time we get to the New Testament, God's Word is even more emphatic AGAINST lying than before, and ties it in with eternal judgment. The Bible tells us that by God's very nature, He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18); if we are to be like Him (Matthew 5:48), how could we justify lies? Please consider the following New Testament scriptures that oppose lying;
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” -John 4:24.
TRUTH is essential for worshipping God.
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” -John 8:44.
The devil is a liar, and his evil children do the works of their father by lying.
Romans 12:17 & 2 Corinthians 8:21 tell us to be honest.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” -Ephesians 4:25.
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” -Colossians 3:9.
Lies were a part of our lives when we were in sin, but shouldn't be any more!
“For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” -2 Corinthians 13:8.
Christians are all about TRUTH! See also 2 John 4, 3 John 4.
But on the subject of lies, we could go a little more basic; how about the “golden rule” from Matthew 7:12? Do you want to be lied to? If not, don't lie to others.
It's when we get toward the end of the Bible that we can see a relationship betyween lies and God's eternal judgment, listed specifically 3X in Revelation 21:8,27, and 22:15. In the last two, 21:27 & 22:15, we find that any who make or love lies will NOT be a part of heaven, the New Jerusalem. We know where they'll be headed for, and 21:8 focuses on that aspect;
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Bold type & underlining were added.
Because everyone has told lies, I think it worthwhile to define what scripture means when it identifies “liars.” Lies may be repented of, and forgiven, but with repentance comes a determination not to repeat the offense.
Yes, a liar could be identified as someone who tells many lies, uses words thoughtlessly, but this type is more obvious. I would call a liar someone that, “regards iniquity in their heart,” meaning that they esteem it. They have determined that lies are necessary at times, and think it right to use them. In other words, it becomes kind of a “pet sin” which they never fully surrender to Christ (Luke 6:46).
But these I described would be deliberate deceptions, and yet another kind would come from not following through with your verbal commitments. Maybe you told someone you'd help them with moving to a new home, but didn't show up. If you said you'd meet them at a certain time, but came an hour late. It could even just be the promise of a phone call that you never make. Brethren, these are LIES; you've hurt someone with idle words, and you'll account for it before God. Be careful with the words you say, being sure to follow them up with appropriate action.
Yet at this point some may protest, “What if something really does happen to prevent my keeping a commitment? Here are several thoughts for this circumstance; first, STRIVE to KEEP YOUR WORD. Don't quickly or automatically “give up” and break your promise; be faithful in that which is least (Luke 16:10). for your life is a testimony for Jesus. Second, call the affected party on the phone as soon as you can to let them know. Nothing can be worse than waiting indefinitely, not knowing when or IF a person will show up. Third, apologize to the party offended. Let them know you're truly sorry things didn't work out, and try to work a rescheduling right away if possible. By this your apology will convey sincerity, and bring healing. FOURTH, and this for the offended party; if you're encountering this with the same person over & over, be sure to rebuke them (Luke 17:3). Also, try to avoid a reliance on them as a testimony to them (2 Thessalonians 2:14,15), for they will have to give an account to God for their works (Romans 14:12). Remember that if someone is breaking commitments with you, they are doing it to Jesus, for He said, “...Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” -from Matthew 25:40.
There's no doubt it can be hard at times to be truthful, and many use lies at times to make others feel better. But in doing this you are only striving to please men, and give temporary comfort; this is what false prophets did to the Israelites down through the centuries;
“For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” -Jeremiah 6:13,14.
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” -Luke 6:26. Don't be a false prophet for your loved ones!
There is no room for lies in the New Jerusalem, but the lake of fire has plenty of housing left for all liars, and the lies that they tell. God doesn't want you to go there, and urges you to examine your heart before Him (2 Corinthians 13:5A), to crucify your flesh (Luke 9:23), and to lay aside any sin that may be clinging to you (Hebrews 12:1). You're invited to come boldly to the throne of grace with your needs, and receive the mercy God has in store!
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” -Hebrews 4:15,16.
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