LIE NOT TO ONE ANOTHER

The sin of lying is very common. However, that does not make it right. A famous preacher was once preaching to a very large audience, and he used in his text the story of Ananias and Sapphira who lied and were struck dead. The old preacher proclaimed, "God does not strike people dead for lying like he used to. If he did, where would I be?" At this point the audience snickered a little. The preacher then roared back, "I'll tell you where I would be. I would be right here preaching to an empty house." Would the typical church building be empty today if God struck people dead for lying?

Colossians three discusses the fact that a Christian is to put off the old man (i.e., the life of sin), and he is to put on the new man. The Christian is to have a new life in Christ characterized by such traits as humility, kindness, and long-suffering. One sin that the Christian is to put off is the sin of lying. Verse 9 says, "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds."

A similar passage is found in Ephesians 4:25. This says, "Wherefore putting away lying, speaking every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." Thus lying is to be put away, and it is to be replaced with speaking the truth.

Many Old Testament passages condemn lying. Proverbs 6 lists seven things that are an abomination to God. One of these is a "lying tongue." Proverbs 12:2 says, "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight." Psalms 119:29 says, "Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously."

Lies are dangerous. They can hurt us in this life and, even more important, in the next life. Revelation 21:8 says, "...all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death."

By Mike Johnson

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