Exhortation and Repentance · Living in Holiness
Should we stop using deception and lies?
6 min read, approximately
John 8:41-44
“You do the works of your father. Then they said to him: We were not born of sexual immorality; we have one Father, who is God. Jesus then said to them: If God were your Father, you would certainly love me, for I came forth from God and have come here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my language? Because you cannot listen to my word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He has been a murderer from the beginning and has not remained in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Nowadays
Deception is simply giving a lie the appearance of truth, leading others to believe something that is not actually true.
We know that God’s Word says,
“Train a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Yet nowadays it is common in our society for people to lie and deceive, because it starts at home… A child is taught this habit by his parents.
A bad example?
A child who hears and witnesses false testimony, slander, dishonesty, a double life, double standards, and so on will end up absorbing it all and sooner or later will practice it…
We remember phrases like: ‘Tell them I’m not here,’ ‘Don’t tell your mother anything’… How can we tell children not to do it because it is wrong, if they have seen the example in us? We would lack authority, wouldn’t we?
God does not lie, and he expects us, made in his image and likeness, not to lie either
What is the reason for deceiving and lying? Recognition? Greed? Gaining some ‘advantage’? Jealousy? Appearances?… Whatever the reason, we need to understand that:
\1. God detests liars and deceivers
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that his soul detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)
\2. Whoever does this dishonors God
“You shall not steal, nor deceive or lie to one another. You shall not swear falsely by my name, thus profaning the name of your God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:11-12)
\3. The deceiver will not enter the Kingdom of God
“Whoever practices fraud shall not dwell within my house; whoever speaks lies shall not stand before my eyes.” (Psalms 101:7)
\4. Sooner or later, the deceiver will fall into his own deception
“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.” (Proverbs 26-27)
\5. Deceivers and liars face an end that is not exactly good
“But the cowardly and unbelieving, the abominable and murderers, the sexually immoral and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars will have their share in the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
What should we do to be free from deception and lies?
“And this is the condemnation: light came into the world, and people loved darkness more than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be clear that his deeds are done in God.” (John 3:19-21)
All deception and lying are sin and come from the devil, and whoever practices them makes himself a child of the devil (John 8:41-44). Today we can make a decision:
\1. Confess and receive forgiveness
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:8-9)
\2. Change our attitude
If we have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9), if we are children of God (John 1:12), then we are in Christ!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
\3. Walk in truth
“Jesus said to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
So,
“As for your former way of life, put off the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; put on the new self, created according to God in the righteousness and holiness of truth. Therefore, putting away lying, let each of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:22-25)
If we base ourselves on the principles of God’s Word and practice them, we can discipline ourselves until we develop a new attitude based on sound judgment, honesty, and truth. Let us stop looking at the fact that others do it and begin with ourselves, becoming an example of change for our family, workplace, neighbors, society, children…
“Therefore, since we too are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that entangles us, and run with patience the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
And let us not forget to strive
“… diligently to present yourself approved to God, as a worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, who handles the word of truth correctly.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Should we keep deceiving and lying, or would it be better to become agents of change?
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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!