GO-SIN-NO-MORE

2004 Church of God
of Forrest City, Arkansas

LYING

ST. JOHN 8:11

Lying is defined as a statement made with the intent to deceive. Is it possible to talk with others day after day without telling a lie? Yes, true repentance gives a person power to live free from all willful sins, including telling lies. The bible teaches that Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth. (St. John 1:14) Jesus Christ refers to the devil as the father of lies, and there is no truth in him. (St. John 8:44) A person will obey whomever he or she serves. (Romans 6:16) A true child of God serves God, and he or she will always tell the truth – regardless of the consequences. A person who is not saved from his/her sins (a sinner), serves the devil, and he or she will obey the devil and tell a lie.

Our words are very important. There is so much lying in today’s society that sometimes it is difficult to know when a person is telling the truth. Elected officials, as high as the President of the United States, have been known to tell lies to the public about what they did or did not know for the sake of keeping their positions. Parents tell lies to children, and children tell lies to their parents. Some parents will tell their children that “Santa Claus” came down the chimney and left gifts under a tree. Children will lie to their parents about events that happened at school, where they did or did not go, etc. Husbands lie to their wives about where they went after work. The list goes on and on.

Our society even condones lying. The term “white lies” is used for those deceptive statements that are deemed to be “necessary” – in man’s opinion. The Word of God, however, has not changed on this topic. “All liars” including those who tell “white lies,” will “have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” (Revelation 21:8) Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” KJV (Matthew 12:36-7) Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost when questioned by Peter, the man of God, and they fell dead immediately. (Acts 5:1-11)

Yes, true repentance gives a person the power to life free from all willful sins (Romans 6:16-23), including telling lies! “For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.” KJV (Isaiah 63:8) A saved person does not carry the guilt and torment that accompanies a statement made with the intent to deceive. Remember, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” KJV (James 4:17-5:1) If you have told a lie, please REPENT of your sins now! God will give you power to resist temptation to tell a lie. He loves you!