Have you ever told a lie, or have you ever found yourself justifying a lie?  Was it a last-ditch attempt to save your bottom or was it thought to be the easier road to take?  Some people can slide right into a lie with such ease and have an answer for everything.  Others believe that the little white lie occasionally told to spare someone’s feelings is okay, but is it?  Why is honesty so difficult, but lying so easy to do?  Isn’t the fact that you have now created a lie and having to maintain it with consistent lies much harder in the long run?  Does it get you any further down the road or is it short-lived due to lack of maintenance (keeping it believable to others) of the lie or because you were caught in the lie?  Honesty is quoted as being the best policy, but society has turned that on its ear by seeking to deceive instead.

 

It is not always you who is the liar.  It can be a family member in denial, it could be someone you trust posing as a friend, it could be an ad that wants to target a specific audience they know will accept the bait dangling in front of them or it could be an endless list of faceless people who choose to deceive rather than speak the truth.  Our society today seems to want the lie to thrive.  Look at all the promises politicians make and never keep.  Advertisers again follow the same logic to lure someone in.  Deceit is all around us and most have let it settle in only to find themselves accepting and welcoming it.

 

As a Christian we know that lying is wrong and that there will always be repercussions when we choose to lie.  These can come swiftly or later, but they will come.  One of the ten commandments is Thou shalt not bear false witness, so it is clear where God stands on this issue.  However, just in case it still does not register with you let’s look at a few different verses in the Bible to support why lying is wrong.

 

First, lying is a trait that God disapproves of and hates.  We see evidence of this in Proverbs 6:16-19.

“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

 

Lying may seem profitable, but eventually the lie is found out.  Luke 8:17 can attest to this.

“For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”

 

Now we know from Genesis (1:26-31) that in the beginning the earth and heavens were formed, man was created in God’s own image and it pleased the Lord.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over every living things that moves on the earth.””

 

Life was perfect until a serpent entered the picture and caused the great fall for Adam and Eve.  In Genesis 2:8-9 we see the before picture of what life was meant to be like in the garden.

“The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.  And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.  The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”

 

However, once sin entered the scene things took a turn for the worse.  The world was now fallen and the way into the garden was now forbidden as we learn in Genesis 3:24.

“So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

 

In short, lying has thrived since then and it is only getting worse.  However, the players roles have shifted.  In this world we are subjected to co-existing with those who lie, but the ringleader behind all of this is the devil himself, Satan.  He and his dominion are real threats and do great damage to us.  He is called the father of lies in John 8:44.

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires.  He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

 

Every day we are told lies that we believe to be the truth. Lies that tell us we are failures, worthless, or lies that convince us to never let go of our past disappointments and hurt. Some realize that these are lies, while others cling to and embrace them; thus, giving all control to the wiles of Satan.

 

We need to let it go and let God lead us. He is in control and only wants the best for us. He loves us unconditionally and promises us that there is no condemnation if we come to Him. Trust Him and His plan. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. Satan will not tell you that. God will never call you a loser or unacceptable.  Yes, He will through the Holy Spirit, convict you of your sins to prompt you to repent/change, but He will not degrade you or devalue you. He will correct and discipline you, but anyone who loves you that much would do the same. His plans for you are good as stated in Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

God’s gift of grace is for everyone to hear about and then accept.  So, stop believing the lies and surrender it all to God while we are in His grace period. None of us know when grace will end and the offer to come to Him expires.

 

You may be asking yourself how do I break the hold Satan has over me?  It all begins with a cry for help.  You need to call out to God, get down on your knees and begin to pray. He will hear you and answer you.  A few verses come to mind about His response.  These are verses of hope and promises.  Let’s look at Isaiah 59:2, Psalms 66:17-20; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 Peter 5:7; and James 5:16 to see what the word says.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.”

 

“I cried unto Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue.  If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; but verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.  Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me.”

 

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

 

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

 

“Confess your faults to one another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

 

He does hear the prayer of a sincere heart asking for forgiveness, so please do not be misled.  Do not believe the lies, but cling to Jesus as your buoy and hold on.  First, you must begin the journey by searching for Him.  You can start by getting connected with a church and read His Word. Learn who He is and what He has done for us. Trust Him and His plan. Hear the truth and let it sink in and then rejoice. We have reason to celebrate because of His love and mercy and grace. Never forget that gift. He doesn’t see failures or unworthiness when He looks at you, He shines with love for you. Satan sees failure not God. Satan distracts, but God points you to the truth. Where do you want to stand and who do you want to stand with you? God or Satan? You have a free will to make this choice. Will you take the next step and suspend your fear to find this precious gift?  I truly hope so.  Next blog will further explore the lies we tend to believe about ourselves or tell ourselves to avoid taking this step.  Until then, take care and God Bless!