Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 1 John 1:6
There is a road that leads to Heaven. It’s a narrow road and those that find it are few. There is a broad road that many people want to take, hoping it will get them to Heaven. However, Jesus says this road leads to destruction. This is the road the person who professes to be a Christian takes when still wandering in worldly ways. This road is the easy path provided by the devil for the person not producing any spiritual fruit, who still walks on the dark side of the road.
Lying is a big problem. It is so big a problem God put it in His top ten. The ninth Commandment says we are to not bear false witness against our neighbor. Jesus teaching on the good Samaritan informs us that everyone is our neighbor. Bottom line; don’t lie to or about anyone or anything.
Humanity has tried to water down this sin. Saying something is only a little white lie doesn’t make it so.
Humanism teaches my truth might not be your truth. If your truth involves a lie, it isn’t truth.
We tell half-truths. That also falls short since it is a half lie, but there is no such thing as a half lie. So, when we tell a half-truth we are lying.
Paul taught Timothy the terribleness that comes from lying.
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 1 Timothy 4:1-2
These are false teachers who try to deceive the church. Paul also taught about the place of law of Moses in the church.
10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. 1 Timothy 1:10-11
Lying has grave consequences as Jesus pointed out in Revelation.
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
The good news of the gospel is there is a way to freedom from sin. There is a road that leads to Heaven. It starts and ends with Jesus. We come to him in faith, believing He is the Son of God who sacrificed His life for our sins, repent and live a life of discipleship, seeking His will be done. Before Jesus condemned all those who turned away from Him, He let His children know there is final victory.
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. Revelation 21:5-7
Let’s put lying on our list of things to pray God helps us stop in our lives. Lies can lead to more lies and tie us up in knots. The truth sets us free.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive me for lying. Help me to always tell the truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
