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Dealing With the Pet Sin of Lying

The most uncompromising truth of the Christian Gospel is the word “change.” That means those who are in Christ are not just there because they say so, but because there is a manifestation of a transformed life in them. A new heart has been recreated by the good Spirit. It's my understanding that even the least mature believers understand this and do make efforts to kill those sinful habits within them, except for a certain particular sin – lying. I have observed my own life; I have observed the lives of fellow believers and have noticed that we don't take lying as seriously as we do other sins. Part of the reason of course is because lying is so easy to do. All you have to do is modify a few details here and there, look here, that way, blink up, down and before you know it, you have said it – a lie! 

It's my duty to remind all of us, brethren, that God takes truth seriously. Because He is the Spirit of truth Himself. Just a quick glance at the Proverbs of the wise King will reveal the “six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren (Prov 6:16-19). Notice how lying is mentioned twice in the same list. Not only that, but how horrifying should it be that a murderer of the innocent is in the same class as the one who speaks lies? Another point of terror is found somewhere in the book of Revelation, where we are told that, “all liars will have their part in the lake of fire & brimstone” (Rev 21:8). It seems the Almighty will never, by no means, lower down His holy standard to accommodate our pet sins.

On the other hand, might I remind you that lying is consistent with the devil; the one who is described as being a “murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Therefore, don’t we think it's rather strange to say we possess the Spirit of truth Himself within us, yet we seem to love that which is consistent with Satan?

I was actually thinking about the actual reasons why we love lying; why is it such a part of our daily lives?

1.) Because it’s consistent with our sin nature – Have you noticed that you don’t have to teach a baby how to lie? As young and “innocent” as they are, they already know how to manipulate truth to avoid certain consequences. That is the essence of human nature. All of us are born naturally inclined to do wrong than to do good. This is why we all need a Saviour; to rescue us from this deep pool of death.
 
2.) Because of fear – I can guarantee you that 9 out of 10 reasons we lie is because we fear the unknown, especially the consequences of telling the truth. For example, “This will happen to me if I reveal this truth, therefore let me just lie to protect myself from all that” One good preacher said it this way, “Lying is the way you hide what’s wrong with you; to protect your self-interest”. 

3.) To get something – This kind of lying is born out of our distrust in the goodness of God to provide for and supply all our needs. Hence we believe the only way to get those things we want is to “help” Him by twisting the details of our story, hopefully, we will get things going our way. Somehow human nature believes God needs our lies to accomplish His purposes in our lives.

4.) To cover up other lies – Have you noticed that one lie is often not enough to get you out of trouble? It’s often followed by a series of other lies to cover up the whole story. Before you know it, your entire life is made up of lies and hypocrisy. 

Comrades, I dare you as always, let us shun the habit of being liars, especially now that we have put on Christ. I know we can all have a thousand reasons to justify ourselves in this grave sin. Regardless, Scripture leaves no room for any wickedness among us, including speaking things that are not true. I am also aware that it’s not as easy as I say it. Our battle with sin is a real one. However, it is equally dangerous when you find yourselves having given up the fight; making zero efforts to kill those evil habits within your members. I mean we must all strive to be truth-tellers always; to love that truth and to hate the lies; to seek to please Him in every area of our lives – our tongues included. This is my clarion challenge to all my believing brethren: may we take the sin of lying very seriously as our Lord does. May you, from today, be known for being a man and a woman of integrity, honesty and truth. Here is a passage for your meditation…

Ephesians 4:21-25 - Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.


Sinothi Ncube



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