I painfully recall some childhood experiences with lying...not really what I lied about, but really how many times I got caught. While I was "getting away with it" I thought everything was working out alright. However, as all children have to learn, God established 2 principles: (1) Truth is always right and has nothing to fear. (2) Lying is always wrong and has everything to fear because somewhere along the way it will trip itself up. What are we willing to lie for?
For monetary gain?
Ananias and his wife Sapphira were so willing (Acts 5:1-11). They determined to keep their wealth and attempt to deceive the other early Christians into forming false opinions about their generosity and sacrifice for the common good of the saints. Yet, they forgot what we all forget when we contemplate lying: God is not so fooled as is man (v. 4). Today people lie and cheat the government on their taxes. They lie and deceive others in their business transactions. They make the same mistake as did Ananias and Sapphira. They are doomed to the same fate as this couple if they don't repent of this sin.
For the approval of others?
Sometimes it is not easy to tell the truth. The wise man said in Prov. 27:6 that though the truth may hurt sometime, it is far better than deceitful "kissing up" from those who would use and mistreat us. Notice what the apostle Paul said in Gal. 4:16. He had to defend himself against slanderous charges from false teachers at the churches in Galatia. Because some were giving heed to these liars, the apostle had to ask, "Am I your enemy because I tell you the truth?" Sometimes we need to tell someone the truth, and it may not be easy to do because in so doing, we run the risk of their disfavor with us. Yet, truth is truth and it comes from God (Jn. 17:17). Lying is lying and it comes from Satan (Jn. 8:44). We must seek God's approval, His favor over everyone else (cp. Jn. 12:42).
We must not forget that though we are tempted to lie in some situations, there is a place reserved for impenitent liars. Rev. 21:8 speaks of the lake of fire reserved for such offenders.
Are you willing to lie for that?
