This is a topic that is relevant to all of us, because it is so easy not to speak the truth to one another, but to allow a little dishonesty now and then. Even if we’re not into telling big lies, we can get caught up into telling so-called white lies or exaggeration, thinking it won’t hurt anyone. And this is not considered a big deal by most people.
There are several words in the Bible that help us flesh-out different aspects of dishonesty:
- False witness – often used in a legal context, its where you give false information
- Lying – don’t tell the truth
- Deception – mislead, trick, not telling the whole truth
- Slander – where you spread false information about someone – to damage their reputation
We need to watch out for all of these, so lets remind ourselves
Why dishonesty is evil
The answer is straightforward, dishonesty destroys relationships, indeed, it can destroy whole communities.
1) Lying destroys trust, which is the glue that holds us together in relationships. Trust is what makes our relationships possible.
When you lie to someone you are stealing their trust, as it were, and then using that trust to take advantage of them, or otherwise to get your way in the situation.
When they find out (and usually lies are found out) it destroys the trust they had in you. Trust is a precious gift of great value; and lying damages or even destroys it.
I’m sure you have experienced this. You know how it feels to be lied to; to be deceived. You know the sense of betrayal of trust and the damage it causes.
2) Even if you are never caught, to maintain the lie you have to continue to be false with the person. You can’t be in a genuine relationship with them. You have to wear a mask, so there is always this barrier between the two of you that hinders the relationship.
So the relationship is damaged or even destroyed either way: if you are found out the trust is broken; if you are not you have to put on a mask.
This is, in large part, why Scripture teaches us not to lie. For instance: Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Notice the last phrase here, which emphasizes our relationship with each other.
We are in relationship with each other in the body of Christ. And if we are dishonest with each other then it tears the community apart; the relationships that make up that community.
So lying is evil, but let me now impress upon you that it is not something that God winks at –
Lying is as evil as evil gets
1. Proverbs 6:16-19 – Lying covers two of the seven things that God hates. “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eye, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Lying shows up twice! God hates lying; it is an abomination to him.
2. 1 Timothy 1:10 – Lying is classed with sins such as homosexual practice, killing your parents and more generally, murder. Are these other items “really sinful” in your mind? Well the point is – so is lying!
3. Psalm 101:5 – This verse tells us that God himself will destroy a secret slanderer – someone who goes around whispering falsehoods about others to tear them down. God will tear them down.
4. Acts 5 – Ananias and Sapphira are killed by God for lying about their contribution to the church
5. Revelation 21:27; 21:8
- The first verse tells us that liars are not permitted into the eternal city of God in the age to come.
- Revelation 21:8 says of liars, “their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
So, it should be clear –
We have to make a choice!
Will we be honest or will we allow dishonesty a place in our life? Perhaps you think it might make your life a little easier at points to allow some dishonesty.
So lets be clear – if we take the path of lying we are choosing Satan to be our father. Jesus says to the Pharisees – John 8:44 – “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. . . . When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” When you lie, you imitate Satan – like father like son.
But if we take the path of honesty, we choose God as our Father – for
- God “never lies” – Titus 1:2
- Indeed God “cannot lie” – Hebrews 6:18
So, we have to make a choice. Finally, let me tell you that –
We will be blessed if we speak the truth
And we need to know this and remember it, because it can be hard to be honest at times.
- Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” When we are honest we please the Lord.
- Revelation 14:5 states that those who speak the truth are the ones who will be with Jesus forever in the kingdom of God. They will follow – the Lamb- wherever he goes, for, it says, there was “not a lie found in their mouths.”
So, let us speak the truth to one another. For the sake of love for each other, and our relationships and for the sake of our relationship with God. And if we have not spoken the truth, if you have not I encourage you to make it right before God and before your sister or brother. Amen?
Lets stand together and close by reading Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” William Higgins
Christian teaching 