 JESUS CHRIST said in Matthew 15:18-20, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart: and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man:" From the (unregenerate) heart comes lies and these other sins.
Three rules of thumb about lying from the West Point Honor Code:
1. Does this action attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived?
2. Does this action gain or allow the gain of a privilege or advantage to which I or someone else would not otherwise be entitled?
3. Would I be satisfied with this outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?
Lying always hurts one's own self, hurts others and is a sin against Almighty GOD. We are to always speak the truth. Certainly, we should speak the truth in love and kindness, but always the truth. There is never a reason to tell a lie. Never! Not a little White lie! "Mommy, telephone!" yells your 7 year old daughter, "it's Mrs. Jones." "Honey, tell Mrs. Jones that I'm not here. OK?" What does that teach your 7 year old daughter about always telling the truth. Lying leads to unbelief and a lack of trust. If you lie it places your children, home and family in danger.
Today there are TV programs and movies such as "Liar, Liar" starring John Kerry that address lying in a comical way. The media knows when you can laugh at something, you will take it lightly. However, Lying is very serious. It is no small thing.
In John 8:44, JESUS CHRIST talking to the false religious leaders of his day, states, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."
Everytime you tell a lie you are acting like the devil. For example, if you lie about the truth of GOD's word, which is the biggest lie anyone could tell because of its eternal ramifications, - you have been a witness for satan, which is linked with murder, death and hell in the rest of the Scriptures. By implication GOD wants all - that are of GOD to bear faithful and truthful witness to what we have seen, heard and believed concerning the Gospel message of JESUS CHRIST. When we tell the truth we are acting like JESUS CHRIST who is declared the faithful and true witness of GOD.
We have to be ever vigilant and on guard to discern the truth over falsehood. The Holy Bible declares the god of this world, satan, has blinded many. From the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, the devil slandered the truth of GOD's Word by raising doubt about the Almighty power, mercy, and love of GOD. It happened to JESUS CHRIST in the wilderness, as recorded in the Scriptures. JESUS CHRIST rebuked satan's lies with the living word of GOD. So it is in the power of GOD through JESUS CHRIST and the leading of the HOLY GHOST that we, in a right relationship with GOD, and under His Protection and in prayer, faith and by GOD's word that we continue in the Truth.
What is the cure to lying? The answer is that each man, woman, and child is in need of a heart transplant. Not a physical heart, but a spiritual heart. The Holy Bible declares the heart is desperately wicked so we are in need of a pure spiritual heart. We must cry out to GOD in need of HIM to save us from our sin through JESUS CHRIST. This is the Good News of the Gospel - by believing and trusting the LORD, JESUS CHRIST we, through GOD's grace, not our own action, may receive a new heart. Our old heart will be replaced with a new heart that hates what is false. "The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace." Proverbs 13:5
JESUS CHRIST said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see GOD." We shall see GOD, with new spiritual eyes and a new heart because we become new creations in Christ Jesus at the moment of conversion. Do you know the Truth? |
