"I am the way and the truth and the life.”
John 14:6
What's the big deal about lying? We all do it in so many subtle ways. We're so accustomed to lies, that we no longer make a fuss about them. Often, we don't even recognize them. Lying is way down there on the commandment list in more ways than one. It's one of the little sins. Does it even belong on the Big 10 along with murder and adultery? No pastor ever got sacked for lying. We actually expect our politicians to lie. And don't even get me started on advertising.
Why are we not outraged? Could it be that we want the out for ourselves? Judge not and all that . . .
Why is the truth so important? First, Jesus says that He is the truth. So if we deny the truth, it's as if we deny Him. Jesus is very big on truth. Sincerity, expediency, and good intentions mean nothing if they fail the truth test. Beyond that, Jesus says that Satan “is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44) Can there be any question about how seriously Jesus takes truth and lies?
Second, violating many of the other commandments involve a violation of the seventh as well. Adultery? It's a lie to the spouse. Stealing? A lie of possession. Murder? A lie about the value of life. Graven images? All lies. Peter Kreeft said it well: “Obeying this commandment completely will lead to obeying all the other ones. For all sin is a lack of honesty.”
Not lying is not good enough. We must revere truth. We must cling to it, spread it, and live it.
And we must learn to discern truth from lies. Too often we fall for lies and even spread them. Check out that rumor before you email it to everyone you know. Question the “facts” you hear on talk shows, whether left or right politically. We must resist lies even as we resist their father. It's what Jesus would – and did – do.
Prayer: Lord, you are truth. Your word is truth. Forgive me for playing fast and loose with the truth when you take it so very seriously. Please don't let me speak lies or fall for the lies of others. You are my Father. Amen.
John 14:6
What's the big deal about lying? We all do it in so many subtle ways. We're so accustomed to lies, that we no longer make a fuss about them. Often, we don't even recognize them. Lying is way down there on the commandment list in more ways than one. It's one of the little sins. Does it even belong on the Big 10 along with murder and adultery? No pastor ever got sacked for lying. We actually expect our politicians to lie. And don't even get me started on advertising.
Why are we not outraged? Could it be that we want the out for ourselves? Judge not and all that . . .
Why is the truth so important? First, Jesus says that He is the truth. So if we deny the truth, it's as if we deny Him. Jesus is very big on truth. Sincerity, expediency, and good intentions mean nothing if they fail the truth test. Beyond that, Jesus says that Satan “is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44) Can there be any question about how seriously Jesus takes truth and lies?
Second, violating many of the other commandments involve a violation of the seventh as well. Adultery? It's a lie to the spouse. Stealing? A lie of possession. Murder? A lie about the value of life. Graven images? All lies. Peter Kreeft said it well: “Obeying this commandment completely will lead to obeying all the other ones. For all sin is a lack of honesty.”
Not lying is not good enough. We must revere truth. We must cling to it, spread it, and live it.
And we must learn to discern truth from lies. Too often we fall for lies and even spread them. Check out that rumor before you email it to everyone you know. Question the “facts” you hear on talk shows, whether left or right politically. We must resist lies even as we resist their father. It's what Jesus would – and did – do.
Prayer: Lord, you are truth. Your word is truth. Forgive me for playing fast and loose with the truth when you take it so very seriously. Please don't let me speak lies or fall for the lies of others. You are my Father. Amen.
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