THURSDAY July 1, 2021
The Sin of Lying
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:25
Notice, Paul became very personal with each Ephesian believer. He was basically saying, “Now that you are a new man in Christ, live your life in line with the instructions I have already given.” The word therefore is in relation to what they have already studied about the new life in Christ. Paul was saying to them their behavior should be totally different from others who do not know Christ. Since they had put away the old life and put on the new life, they needed to act differently in this evil world.
Paul began a list of behaviors that would grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder His work in their lives. First Paul dealt with lying. A lie is a statement that is contrary to facts and is spoken with the intent to deceive a person. In the New Testament, in the early Church, lying to the Holy Spirit was a sin harshly dealt with. God judged a husband and wife––Ananias and Sapphira—for lying to God (Acts 5). Consider Colossians 3:9-10:
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...
God hates lying! We cannot get away with lying:
These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Always speak the truth to God and to man––nothing but the truth, so help me God!
There is no form of sin in which we act more satanically than when we indulge in telling a lie.
~Frank Gabelein~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
