Lies, Lies
Are you afraid to ask for help? Are you trying to get away with deception? Take this lesson.
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“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16 – 19, NIV).
Life Lesson: Biblical perspective on the end times
Experience It: Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit
When one thing gets mentioned two times in a list of seven things God hates, we’d better take notice. These verses in Proverbs tell us that God hates lying tongues. He detests false witnesses who pour our lies. The call to follow Jesus, to be His disciple, requires us to love the things He loves and hate the things that He hates. That includes hating lies.
Often when we lie, it is because lying looks like an easier way. We fool ourselves into thinking that no one will know. That in itself is a lie. The Bible teaches us, “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known” (Matthew 10:26, NIV).
Although it may seem like we can get away with deception, God promises that the truth will be revealed. It may not be immediately, but every lie will be exposed. As well, the consequences of lying – the destruction of integrity and the damage to relationships – are reasons enough to avoid it.
Not only does God hate lies, but Hebrews 6:18 says it is impossible for God to lie. It is against his very nature. Because God hates lies, and because lying is contrary to his character, we also must not lie.
Holy God, teach me to love what You love and hate what You hate. Wash me of all lies and falsehoods. I want to be like Jesus. Amen.
Questions: Why are lies so destructive? How does knowing that God hates lies, keep you from lying?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
thank you
Thanks Toni, will check it out! I am asking God for grace for each day at a time and I know his grace is sufficient for me !! and for us all… Thanks for all you sisters in the Lord and may he bless us all from glory to glory till that day….Amen
I am so glad that I’m not the only one who struggles with this (although the enemy likes to tell me that I am). I was so blessed to read all your comments – thank you from the bottom of my heart!! To “La” – thanks for the insight. It gives me a deeper understanding. To “Lyn” – AMEN to that! No wonder God hates it!. To “Arlette” – GREAT lesson! Filing this away for future use. To “Essy” – Take heart my sister! We are all in the same boat – headed in the same direction. Our journeys may be different but we all struggle. Like Joyce Meyer says “I’m not where I need to be yet but thank God I’m not where I was”. I also struggle with an addiction and I’ve joined a program called “Celebrate Recovery”. It’s been life transforming for me. Check it out on-line ok? I am praying for you my darling. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
wow! I am seriously ashamed and terrified for I ama formidable liar!IthinkIlie to cover up my behaviours like drinking excessively, the amazing thing is that I have given my life to Christ but it appears I have not fully surrendered, I have said the prayer and believe God will create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit and restore me! please pray with me for I have erred greatly!
A woman once found herself gossiping untruths about a new neighbor. She felt bad so went to the village priest. He told her to take a goose down pillow up to the highest mountain, open it and let all the feathers fly out. She did so and thought her penance done. She went back tp the priest to inform him she had completed her task. He then told her to go back and gather up each feather she had let loose. She said this was impossible! He told her so it is impossible to take back the words you spoke or gather them all up again from all the places they have gone.
I heard this story one day and was struck by how simply true it is. I believe the Lord hates sin not for the sake of sin but in how it hurts and erodes His people. Thank you Lord for hating what brings us pain and chaos.
Thanks for what you both shared! I was once caught in a lie, not living transparently and truthfully before my family. (Not telling the whole information and hiding information). It caught up with me. Now a few years later, the opposite happened to me. I was lied to and deceived in a much bigger way by someone very close to me. It destroyed our trust and relationship. Not being totally truthful is a subtle but destructive tool of the enemy.
Lies are destructive b/c they are the opposite of what Jesus is, which is Truth. In this world we are tempted with our every word to lie (boasting, cheating, bragging, covering things up, making it look better than it is, or in some cases worse than it is etc…). If you pay attenention closly, you’ll find that not lieing is actually difficult (which is ridiculous)! But we are tempted every single minute by Satin, giving one more very good reason to be in the Word every day. I challenge you all to “catch” yourself every time you think you’re going to tell even the smallest of white lies, and I think you’ll be surprised at how often evil tempts you. I Was… Great devotional.
Whoa! I know that lying is bad and dishonors God but I didn’t realize how much God hates it until I read today’s devotional. Before coming to Christ, I prided myself on lying with a straight face and did it consistently (I even used to brag about it – how bad is that?!!!). Since surrendering my life to God (almost 3 years ago), this has all changed and I try to always tell the truth – even if it means suffering the consequences. I still catch myself lying sometimes though (about little things)and it seems to be my automatic response – ingrated in me. I realize that lies are lies and there is no sliding scale (little white lies vs bigger ones)and I must must always tell the truth (in love) even when it’s hard. I ask the Lord every day to lock my lips against lies and warn me before I lie (instead of after and then I smack my forhead in frustration). HE will enable me to do this if I completely submit to His will. Thank God for His patience, grace and forgiveness for this sinner who is learning and growing and striving to be what He wants me to be – more like Jesus.