“I used to lie to everyone. My parents, my boyfriend, my boss.  I’m so ashamed. I don’t want to do that anymore,” the young woman said with tears spilling down her cheeks. We were discussing character flaws that we need to eliminate from our lives to be pleasing to the Lord. A new believer, my young friend was coming face to face with Truth, and she was realizing big changes were needed in her life if she is to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

Our culture today says it’s o.k. to lie. Just turn on the television for a few seconds, and you begin to grasp how widespread lying really is. No longer do people care about facts. We make up our own reality and pretend it is truth. There are no absolutes. Truth is what I say it is.

Sadly, lying goes back to Satan’s encounter with Adam and Eve. The father of lies convinced them to disobey the Lord’s warning. They chose to listen to the serpent instead of to God, and their lives were wrecked.

Fast forward to the birth of Christ. King Herod, a lying politician, told the magi that he wanted to worship the new king. His real intent was to murder him. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Yes, lying Satan was present at the birth of Christ; he was present throughout Jesus’ ministry; and he was present in full force at the trial and crucifixion. You may recall that the Pharisees lied to Pilate to get Jesus tried and convicted. Then at the resurrection, the men who were left to guard the tomb where Jesus lay were astonished when he arose. Rather than tell the people the truth, though, the high council bribed them to lie. (Matthew 28:11-15)

I don’t suppose we should be surprised. Lost people do what lost people do—sin and enjoy it! Instead of following Christ, they are following the god of this world:

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 NLT)

Sadly, the wicked don’t care about Truth, for they are blind to it:

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT)

It is no surprise then that lying has always been a problem for unbelievers, but it can also be a problem for believers as well.  Ananias and Sapphira, two members of an early house church, sold a field and lied about their donation. (Acts 5:1-11) Their punishment? The death penalty. Their sin was not withholding the money but lying about it.

Lying is serious business. Though we may try to justify a “little white lie,” the Lord appears to consider it a grave sin. He included it in the original ten commandments: “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16 NLT)

It appears that the Lord considers lying as bad as murder. To him, sin is sin.

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8 LT)

Two of the “seven deadly sins” involve lying:

“There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
haughty eyes,
    a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.” (Proverbs 6:12-19 NLT)

Have you ever noticed that one of Jesus’ favorite sayings was, “I tell you the truth”? In fact, he uses the expression over 70 times! Check it out at www.biblegateway.com.

“I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledgein the presence of God’s angels.” (Luke 13:8 NLT)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 NLT)

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24 NLT)

He even tells his followers that He is Truth:

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NLT)

So, what is our responsibility with respect to lying?  Obviously, we are to be truth tellers. But what about people around us who lie? What should we do about them? The Scriptures seem to tell us to expose their lies:

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.” (Ephesians 5:10 NLT)

Challenge: What about you? As we enter the year 2020, may we seek 20/20 spiritual vision so that we can tell truth from lies. May we cling to Truth, confess our own untruthfulness, and boldly expose lies when we hear them. Though many of us prefer to avoid conflict, may we get out of our comfort zones and speak out for truth. Jesus did. Paul did. Peter did.Bold believers through the ages did.  May we be faithful followers of Truth!

Thank you again for your prayers and support. I have completed my radiation therapy and am doing well.

May your New Year be filled with the Lord’s blessings and may you find great delight in serving Him!

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 NKJV)

Happy New Year!