Lies
Lies and accusations of lying are falling like heavy rain
I don’t think any segment of our current lives is free from this plague, which demands our deliberation and discernment.
Be alert! Be careful!
Is it a lie?
Not all false statements are lies, which require an intent to deceive. Mistakes can be a problem, but they do not have the motive of deception. (See Mistake or Lie). Puffery and hyperbole can cause difficulty, but are generally expected in, say, advertising.
If we accuse someone of lying, we are judging the person’s character. Be careful! (See, for example, Matthew 5:22.)
Lies are from Satan
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
But we, believers, have laid aside our old selves with its evil practices. (Colossians 3:9)
God hates lies and false accusations
There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16–19)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape. (Proverbs 19:5)
Our responsibility
In this world, we face spiritual lies, secular lies, and mistakes.
Spiritually, we have the word of God, and the Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, guides us to all truth. We must know the Bible and be discerning.
From a secular point of view, we need to have our “lie meter” up and running, and we must be committed to the truth. We also must humbly realize that we cannot know everything about anything.
Christ is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Let’s continue to strive to walk in a manner worthy of Him. (Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12)
