This morning we come to the ninth in the list of the 10 commandments. Once again, God is giving us principles for living here. These commands are not just for the nation of Israel, but are for us to live by today. They are practical and necessary for a proper relationship with God and with others.
He has instructed us not to bear false witness against a neighbor in this ninth command. Strictly speaking, this command was originally focused against perjuring one's self in a judicial trial. Deut. 19: 16-20 talks about what should be done to a false witness who lies in a court room.
A false witness is a liar. Saying that which isn’t true. Listen to just a few statements found in the Scripture concerning those who lie:
(PROV 12:22A) "LYING LIPS ARE ABOMINATION TO THE LORD..."
(PSA 101:7) "HE THAT WORKETH DECEIT SHALL NOT DWELL WITHIN MY HOUSE: HE THAT TELLETH LIES SHALL NOT TARRY IN MY SIGHT."
(PROV 6:16-19) "THESE SIX THINGS DOTH THE LORD HATE: YEA, SEVEN ARE AN ABOMINATION UNTO HIM: {17} A PROUD LOOK, A LYING TONGUE, AND HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, {18} AN HEART THAT DEVISETH WICKED IMAGINATIONS, FEET THAT BE SWIFT IN RUNNING TO MISCHIEF, {19} A FALSE WITNESS THAT SPEAKETH LIES, AND HE THAT SOWETH DISCORD AMONG BRETHREN."
I. The definition of lying.
A. It’s origin.
1. From the devil himself.
2. Many times we blame the devil for all sorts of things that he is not directly responsible.
3. However, there is no doubt that he is totally responsible for lying.
(JOHN 8:44) "YE ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND THE LUSTS OF YOUR FATHER YE WILL DO. HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, AND ABODE NOT IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. WHEN HE SPEAKETH A LIE, HE SPEAKETH OF HIS OWN: FOR HE IS A LIAR, AND THE FATHER OF IT."
4. Jesus tells us that the devil is the "father of lies."
5. Jesus is the origin of truth, so it is understandable that the devil would be the opposite.
B. The operation of a lie. Cf 1 Jn. 1:6-10
1. We lie to others. v6
a. We tell things that simply are not true.
b. Or we twist and stretch the truth.
c. Isn’t it interesting to see how resourceful we are at this?
d. Half- truths and manipulations are an art form for some.
2. We lie to ourselves. V8
a. We become walking, living lies.
b. We try to rationalize and excuse things about ourselves.
c. "O what a tangled web we weave; when first we practice to deceive." - Sir Walter Scott
d. We have trouble distinguishing between the lies and reality.
3. We lie to God. v10
a. The greatest lie of all is to say we do not need Jesus Christ as our Savior.
b. In doing so, we try to make God into a liar.
c. Many have convinced themselves that they will be just fine.
Ex. Bob Knight interview. ‘If you died tomorrow would you be satisfied’ His answer, ‘As I am standing in that line to enter...there would be a lot of people behind me.’
d. Many people believe and live a lie, but God will not accept sincerity of heart.
C. The outcome of lying.
1. Damage and devastation.
a. (Psa 52:2) "Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully."
b. (Psa 55:21) "The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords."
c. When lies are told -- lives are damaged.
d. Illus: Forgiveness and pillow feathers.
2. Survey the long-range damage.
a. Local and national flooding.
b. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and forest fires.
c. People arrive on the scene to survey the long-range damage done.
d. If we could only survey the damage that is done to lives by lies.
(JAMES 3:5) "EVEN SO THE TONGUE IS A LITTLE MEMBER, AND BOASTETH GREAT THINGS. BEHOLD, HOW GREAT A MATTER A LITTLE FIRE KINDLETH!"
3. Judgment.
(MAT 12:37) "FOR BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE JUSTIFIED, AND BY THY WORDS THOU SHALT BE CONDEMNED."
a. There is a price that is to be paid.
b. President Nixon went out in disgrace because of lying.
c. The Watergate tapes reveal his advice to those involved.
1) "Stonewall..." or withhold the truth.
2) "Lie like hell."
d. Damage, devastation, and judgment are all part of the outcome of lying.
II. The Description of Lying.
A. Slander: malicious lie with an intent to do harm.
(PSA 101:5) "WHOSO PRIVILY SLANDERETH HIS NEIGHBOUR, HIM WILL I CUT OFF: HIM THAT HATH AN HIGH LOOK AND A PROUD HEART WILL NOT I SUFFER."
B. Talebearer: telling something without checking the facts in the matter.
1. "They say..." "Someone said..." "I heard that..."
2. Gossip and rumor cause great hurt.
(PROV 18:8) "THE WORDS OF A TALEBEARER ARE AS WOUNDS, AND THEY GO DOWN INTO THE INNERMOST PARTS OF THE BELLY."
C. Flattery: words spoken to manipulate others.
(PROV 26:28) "A LYING TONGUE HATETH THOSE THAT ARE AFFLICTED BY IT; AND A FLATTERING MOUTH WORKETH RUIN."
D. There are many ways to lie and every one is devastating.
III. The Defeat of Lying.
A. Love the Truth.
1. Just as the lie is of the devil, Truth is of God.
2. Jesus said, "I am the Truth..."
3. Paul spoke of the unsaved who do not love the truth. Cf 2 Th. 2:10
4. If we will love the truth...
a. The truth that we are sinners
b. The truth that we need a Savior
c. The truth that we can be saved by placing our trust in His finished work on Calvary.
d. That is the truth...Jesus said that the truth would set us free!
B. Learn the Truth.
1. We need to be committed to the truth.
2. Before the truth can set us free we must know it.
3. Jesus tells us that we can know the truth through His Word.
C. Live the Truth.
1. People need to see Christ in us.
2. The songwriter put it like this, "You’re the only Jesus some will ever see."
3. We must stop lying and start telling the truth.
4. The way to change is through discipline.
5. We must put off the old and put on the new.
(EPH 4:25) "WHEREFORE PUTTING AWAY LYING, SPEAK EVERY MAN TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOUR: FOR WE ARE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER."
Bow with me this morning. Do you know the truth? Do you understand this morning how much God loves you? So much that He gave His Son to die on Calvary that you might be saved.
Are we loving, learning, and living the truth?