Lies

I was reminded of this subject this week and I thought I would expound on it today.  Telling lies as well as what many may call ‘little white lies’ which are nothing but plane, outright lies, is called sin in God’s eyes and He hates it when someone lies.  People are deceived everyday by lies or half-truths.  Many times lies are told to make someone look bad or good depending on the circumstance or situation.  Sometimes lies are told to keep someone from getting in trouble or you might call it covering up for someone, but no matter what you call it, it is lying.  There are many times people try to make other people feel good so they compliment them, but sometimes their compliments are nothing but lies.  In our society lies run rampant and they happen far too often in the church.  People may or may not realize it but any time someone exaggerates a subject, they are lying unless they acknowledge the fact that they are exaggerating.  I am reminded of the antichrist and the beast, when they come on the scene they will have the ability to deceive people through their lies and conniving tactics.  

This also reminds me of what it says about lying in the book of Revelations, please read 21:5-8, “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’

And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 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, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’”

These sins shouldn’t be a part of a believer’s life, but lying, sad to say, is something I am guilty of at times and am truly sorry for and have also experienced many times in the church over the years.  I am not writing this to condemn anyone but to remind everyone who reads this Tidbit that we all need to take this subject very seriously because the Lord does.  I think the church has more of a responsibility than the non-churched does although the consequences may be the same.  Just like I have to repent of this sin along with every other sin I commit, so does anyone else that commits sin. Thank the Lord for this verse in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  

In the early church they had the same problem with lying and with the temptation of the evil one as we do today, let me give you a perfect example of this it is found in Acts 5:1-11, “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, ‘Yes, for so much.’

Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”

This was a case of trying to make themselves look more spiritual than some of the others in the church in their day.  The consequence of their sin was very severe and it cost them their lives.  This was a definite wakeup call for the rest of the church and also the un-churched and it should be a wakeup call for the church in our day also.  The Word of God says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” and all of us need to get a hold of this truth.  

So, if you find on examination of yourself that you have been guilty of any of the sins it mentions in Revelations 21:8, repent and confess your sins and ask the Lord to forgive you then go and try your best, with the Lord’s help, to sin no more.  Something to think about and have a super day and may the Lord bless you and yours!!