All LiarsAll Liars

Revelation 21:8

Questions Answered in This LessonQuestions Answered in This Lesson

Why is lying common today?What does the Bible say about it?How are lies committed?What are the consequences of lying?What should be our attitude toward it?

Lying is a Common ProblemLying is a Common Problem

It is easy to do It is habit forming It gets one out of a bind quickly

(fear, profit, hurt others, etc.) It is easily justified, excused or minimized It is committed by “good” men like

Abraham, Isaac, and Peter

Lying is a Common ProblemLying is a Common Problem

Some enjoy lying (Psa. 62:4)Some lie to protect themselves

(Gen. 12:11-13; 20:2; 26:7; Isa. 28:15)Some lie for gain (2 Pet. 2:1-3)

The Bible and LyingThe Bible and Lying

Satan is the father of lies (Gen. 3:4; Jn. 8:44)Lying is condemned in the OT (Lev. 19:11)God hates liars (Prov. 6:17,19; 12:22; 19:5,9)The first recorded sin in the NT church was

lying (Ac. 5:3)Lying is condemned in the NT (1 Tim. 1:10)All liars will be punished (Rev. 21:8)

The Bible and LyingThe Bible and Lying

Is it sometimes right to lie? What about Rahab the harlot?– She was a harlot and a liar (Joshua 2:1-7)– She is commended for her faith in God, not

her prostitution or lying (Heb. 11:31; James 2:25)

Lying is always wrong!– No such things as “little white lies”– No “situation” that justifies lying

How Lies Are CommittedHow Lies Are Committed

Speaking that which is not true (Prov. 12:19; Eph. 4:25; 1 Tim. 2:7; 1 Jn. 2:21)– This can be done in religion (1 K. 13:11ff;

Jer. 14:14; 23:32; Ezek. 13:6-19)– This can be done through gossip, blasphemy,

malice, slander, backbiting, boasting, half-truths, lying to self, carelessness, etc.

Taking a true statement out of context (Mk. 14:57-58; compare with Jn. 2:22)

How Lies Are CommittedHow Lies Are Committed

Remaining silentActing out of duplicity (Mt. 26:48-49)Acting hypocritically – “living a lie”

(1 Jn. 1:6,8,; 2:4; 4:20; Jer. 7:4-11)

Consequences of LyingConsequences of Lying

Hurt self (Gen. 3:14ff; Psa. 120:1-4; Rom. 1:25-26)

Hurt others (Gen. 12:17-18; 26:10; Prov. 12:17-21; 14:25; 25:18-19; 26:28; Isa. 32:7; Jer. 9:3-5)

Lie to God (Hos. 7:13; Acts 5:4)Tracks cannot be covered forever

(Gen. 26:8; Prov. 19:5,9)If you tell the truth,

you have to remember only one story.

Consequences of LyingConsequences of Lying

Benefits are momentary (Prov. 21:6)Creates delusions (Jer. 23:32)Become hardened (1 Tim. 4:1-2)Destroys influence

Lying Would Be Nice IF…Lying Would Be Nice IF…

We could get away with it, but we can’t (Num. 32:23; 1 Tim. 5:4)

It would change the truth, but it won’t (Rom. 1:24-25)

It would do any good, but it won’t (Rom. 3:8)

It would keep us from Hell, but it won’t (Rev. 21:8)

Our Attitude Toward LyingOur Attitude Toward Lying

Recognize it as the evil it isHate it (Psa. 31:6; 40:4; 119:28-29,163;

Prov. 13:5; 30:8)Rebuke it (Tit. 1:12-13; Rev. 2:2)Put it off (Col. 3:9)Love truth (1 Kings. 13:11ff; 2 Thess. 2:9-12)If you tell a lie big enough, loud enough

and long enough, a lot of people will believe you.

Our Attitude Toward LyingOur Attitude Toward Lying

Guard your heart (Mt. 15:19-20)Speak truth no matter the cost (Eph. 4:25)

Liar, LiarLiar, Liar

We serve a God who cannot and will not lie (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18)

As such, God will not accept liars into heaven (Psa. 101:7; Rev. 14:15; 21:27; 22:15)

Where will you spend eternity? In Heaven as a truth-teller, or in Hell as a liar?