Put Away Lying
Thomas Jefferson is reported to have said,
He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual.
Lying, like all sin, is habitual. It may start with a simple "white lie", a fact excluded here or there, an attempt to save face, or gain approval; but it will end with hellfire if not repented of.
What a said thought that any who call upon the name of Christ would make themselves a child of the devil. And yet, we can see from a brief perusal of the Bible that many of God's people have struggled with this awful sin. Notice:
- Abraham and Sarah lied, saying that she was his sister (Genesis 12, 20)
- Sarah lied about her laughing (Genesis 18)
- Isaac and Rebekah lied about their relationship (Genesis 26)
- Jacob and Rebekah lied in order to take Esau's blessing from him (Genesis 27)
- Jacob's sons lied to destroy the men of Schechem (Genesis 34) and also to cover their actions against Joseph (Genesis 37)
- Aaron lied about how the golden calf came into existence (Exodus 32)
- Rahab lied about the spies of Israel who came to her home (Joshua 2)
- Saul lied, claining that he had obeyed God's commandment (1 Samuel 15)
- David lied to hide his actions with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11)
- Ananias and Sapphira lied about the price they received for their property (Acts 5)
These, and several other examples demonstrate the trouble that even God's people recorded in Scripture had at times with lying. I suppose one might reason, 'Well, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David were really good men, so lying can't really be that big of a deal.' Friend, it is a big deal! Hear the words of Jesus to the Jewish leaders:
You are of your father the devil, and the desire of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in 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. (John 8:44)
If we are imitating the devil, then we are his children, not God's. Paul tells the people of Ephesus, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1).
Consider some additional things the Bible reveals about lying.
“If we are imitating the devil, then we are his children, not God's.”
A Christian is not to lie, for that is part of the old man who was put to death when we obeyed the gospel. Instead, we are to be in the image of Christ.
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. (Colossians 3:9-10)
God hates lying. Everything about God is truthful. His word is truth, His character is upright, He is completely wholesome and righteous. He has no part in lies or hypocrisy. Neither should His people. In fact, His people are to hate lying also.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. (Psalm 12:22)
I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law. (Psalm 119:163)
A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame. (Proverbs 13:5)
Lying lips will cause our prayers to be hindered. The prophet Isaiah revealed this to be so:
But your iniquities have separated you from you God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear you. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity. (Isaiah 59:2-3)
Hear the promise and warning of God:
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolators, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)
How bad is lying? God equates liars with murderers, sexually immoral and idolators. Liars will be eternally condemned. It is interesting that He says "all liars". Though God is the Creator of all the wonderful colours in the world, when it comes to lies, He is colour-blind. A "little white lie" is no different in His sight than any other deception (nor should it seem any different in our eyes). A lie is a lie, and "...all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimestone, which is the second death."
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Answering The Atheist
The Atheist's Complaint:
Who is the lord of this world? Is it God (Joshua 2:11; 3:13; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Chronicles 16:14, 31; Ezra 5:11; Job 34:13; Psalm 47:2,7; 59:13; 83:18; 96:10; 97:1,5; 99:1; Isaiah 37:16; 54:5; Micah 4:13; Zechariah 4:14; 6:5; Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; Acts 17:24), or Satan (Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5-7; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4)? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Wow! That's an impressive list of verses. Four or five might have sufficed, but 29 will work just as well (though for lack of space, I'll not be able to specifically address all 29).
In the extensive list of verses above, God is referred to as the Creator of this earth, and the Lord of the world. In the six passages cited regarding Satan, he is referred to as the prince of this world or the god of this age. The word "lord" is not actually applied to him in any of the texts cited.
Even if Satan were referred to as the lord of this world, the word simply refers to one who is a ruler, one who is in authority, a master. Consider the nature of government, and one will notice that there are several individuals who might rightly be considered in authority - a lord over the people. Consider:
- the Mayor is in authority;
- the Premier (Governor) is in authority;
- the Prime Minister (President) is in authority.
All three positions (and several others throughout the structure of government) could rightly be referred to as "lords" (rulers). If so, why would it be considered erroneous for both Satan and God to be referred to as rulers in the world?
After showing Jesus the kingdoms of the world, Satan declared:
All this authority I give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4:6)
Yes, he was given a measure of authority over the kingdoms, but they were not his to give to whomever he wished. Keep in mind, Satan is a liar (John 8:44). That authority was not his.
God has given authority in measure to governors, kings, emperors, and others, including Satan; but He remains the One who is over all, the Supreme God and LORD of all. There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.