Lying, Deceiving, & Bearing False Witness

Definitions

• Lying: the sin of purposefully making an untrue statement.– Example: Proverbs 19:5,9

• Deceiving: the sin of acting in such a way as to leave a false or misleading impression, especially with the intent to deceive.– Example: Acts 5:1

• Bearing False Witness/Testimony: the sin of lying or being deceitful especially in court or a similar settings.– Example: Matthew 26:59-61 & Matthew 28:15

Satan Is The Source of Dishonesty

• Lying was used to prompt the first sin.– Genesis 3:4

• Jesus said that those who lie are “of” the Devil, the father of lies.– John 8:44

• Sadly – The liar is deceiving themselves because they think they are gaining an advantage, when they are really hurting themselves by sinning.

Punishment Is The Consequence

• Lies Backfire– Judgment (Deut 19:18-19)– Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27)

• Unprepared for Worship– Falsehood (Psalms 24:3-4)

• Hell– “all liars” (Revelation 21:8) – “everyone who loves and practices lying.”

(Revelation 22:15)

What About The Tough Cases?

• Principle: You never have to violate God’s will to accomplish God’s will.

• What about lying to save a life?– Joshua 2:5, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25

• What about in a stressful situation?– Genesis. 42:1-38; 43:1-34; 44:1-34

• What about the work of government agents?– Numbers 13:2 & 1 Samuel 21:10-15– Don’t Fall In Love with It! (Revelation 22:15)

The Solution Is Simple

• Stick To Straight Answers– (Matthew 5:37) "But let your statement be,

'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.

• Speak Truth Each One of You– Ephesians 4:25

• Be Silent– Luke 8:56, Acts 23:22

Simple Honesty Is Desperately Needed

Today• In Business

– Leviticus 19:35, Romans 12:17

• In Religion– James 1:16-17

• In Society– 2 Corinthians 8:21

• In our Hearts– Phil. 4:8 “whatever is true…dwell on these”

Lying, Deceiving, & Bearing False Witness