Pastor Herk continues by asking, Why is falsehood so devastating? First, it violates the character of God. The Lord, our God is sinless, holy, just, truthful and honest. God cannot lie because it is not in His nature. As He is the God of truth [Psalm 31:5], it is impossible for Him to lie. Numbers 23:19 tell us, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.” If the Christian church is the body of Christ, then it should reflect His character of truth. Put off the old sin nature, put on the new Christ nature and reflect God’s character. Proverbs 12:22 says,“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” Take off falsehood and put on truth. Proverbs 19:5 confirms, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.” Nothing escapes the all-seeing eyes of the Lord. You never really get away with a lie.
Second, falsehood violates the Word of God and His Moral Law. Jesus prayed in John 17:16-17 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” The born-again Believer’s true home is the kingdom of Heaven and Holy Scripture of the Bible communicates our Creator’s sacred standards of conduct in thought word and actions; how to live on this side of eternity. To think a lie, to speak a lie, and live a lie is an unproductive, counterfeit and rebellious existence. Psalm 52:2-4 “You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!
Two things happen when our lives become characterized by falsehood. (1) we lose our integrity, trust and good reputation. People can no longer believe you. And when we are dishonest, we have trouble believing others. George Bernard Shaw wrote: the Liar’s punishment is not in the least that they have not believed but that they cannot believe anyone else. (2) We damage our relationships. Lies grieve God, harms ourselves and injures the body of Christ. Our divine, marriage, family, friends, and church relationships are damaged and ministry is hindered. Honesty is the best policy. Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Falsehood actually puts us in bondage to sin; a slave to sin. Jesus said in John 8:34, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” In Matthew 11:29-30 Jesus calls His people to “take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Speak the truth in love.
Proverbs 12:19 “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
Speak truth.
In Christ, Brian
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