LIARS ARE NOT OF GOD
Truth is one of the grand themes of the Bible. The Lord is described as the God of truth, and His Word is truth in every respect (John 17:17; Titus 1:2).
From Genesis to Revelation, the sacred record exalts honesty and condemns deception. Because God is truthful in His very nature, those who seek to walk with Him must cultivate a love for truth and a hatred for falsehood.
The Scriptures speak with remarkable clarity regarding lying. Solomon listed seven things that are especially hateful to the Lord, and among them are "a lying tongue" and "a false witness who speaks lies" (Proverbs 6:16-19).
These expressions are not mere slips of speech or harmless exaggerations. They represent a disposition that disregards truth and shows contempt for the character of God.
The man or woman who knowingly traffics in deception places himself at odds with the very nature of heaven.
The New Testament is equally direct.
Paul instructed Christians to put away lying and to speak truth with their neighbors because they are members of one another (Ephesians 4:25).
Truthfulness is not merely a social virtue. It is a spiritual obligation.
A congregation cannot flourish where deceit is tolerated. Friendships cannot endure where trust is absent. Families are weakened when honesty is sacrificed upon the altar of convenience.
Jesus identified the ultimate source of falsehood when He declared that the devil "is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44). That statement is sobering.
Every lie, regardless of its size or purpose, bears the imprint of the adversary rather than the image of God.
While forgiveness is available through repentance and the blood of Christ, the persistent practice of dishonesty reveals a heart that is drifting away from the Lord's will (Colossians 3:9-10).
In a culture saturated with spin, half-truths, exaggerations, and deliberate distortions, Christians must be different.
Whether the falsehood comes from a politician, a preacher, a businessman, a journalist, or an ordinary citizen, the standard remains unchanged. Truth is not determined by popularity, power, or personal advantage. It is determined by God.
The disciple of Christ must evaluate every claim carefully and refuse to become a participant in the spread of error (Ephesians 5:11).
The child of God should therefore cultivate a reputation for honesty. His word ought to be dependable. His testimony should be trustworthy. His speech should reflect the integrity of the One whom he serves.
Jesus taught that our "Yes" should mean yes and our "No" should mean no (Matthew 5:37). Such straightforward honesty stands in sharp contrast to the deception that often characterizes the world.
Ultimately, the issue is not merely whether a person tells lies. The issue is whether he loves the truth. Those who cherish truth are drawn toward God, for He is its source.
Those who embrace deception move in the opposite direction.
The Bible's message is unmistakable: truth belongs to God, lies belong to another master.
Therefore, let us love the truth, speak the truth, defend the truth, and walk in the truth, knowing that "the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
BDD
