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Friday, March 26, 2010Turn to the book of Genesis and read the story of man's fall, and you will find that the very first sin introduced in the Bible is lying (Gen. 3:4). Turn to the very last page of Revelation, and you will see that the very last sin condemned by our Lord is - you guessed it - lying (Rev. 22:15). What does this tell us about our God? It tells us that He hates lying, and that if there is any one sin that will keep you out of heaven, it is lying.
The dictionary defines a lie as, "Something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression." You can call it exaggeration, a white lie, or anything you want, but when we begin to stray from the truth, we begin to stray from God Himself. Did not our Lord say, "I am...the Truth." (John 14:6)? There is nothing more disgusting to our God than when those who claim to walk in the truth practice lying and deception.
I was recently given a book about a Chinese man who was persecuted by the government for believing in Jesus Christ. At first, the book seemed rather interesting; but then after a few chapters, he started sharing about lie after lie after lie he had told even after he was "saved", showing no sign of remorse or regret. I put the book away, and haven't opened it since.
I John 2:6 says, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." Our Lord never lied, stretched the truth, or tried to conceal the truth. If we claim to be His children, we should do no different.
"These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:"-Zechariah 8:16
2 comments:
That's an interesting debate, whether or not God permits lying in certain circumstances. My view on it is simple: Lying is wrong. Period. However, I also think that God can use the sin of mankind (such as lying) for his greater glory. Not that sin glorifies God IN THE LEAST, but that He has a purpose and plan, even when we stray from the truth.
Camden
1 John 1:5-10 (kinda long, but worth reading!)
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Thanks for your comment, Camden. Those are some good thoughts. When I read your post, my mind drifted to a prophecy found in Psalm 76:10:
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee..."
This prophecy was fulfilled when the Pharisees wrath/anger was used to put Jesus Christ on the cross. Though their actions were wrong, the Lord used the whole situation to accomplish His will.
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