THE LORD ABHORS LYING LIPS

Oh how Christians wish to flirt around with lies, like it is the darling of our dreams, and the one without which, we cannot live. We come up with all kinds of creative justifications, which I am sure, would make even the Lucifer, blush at our ingenuity. Oh, the heart of man, ever so clearly made visible in us, who claim to be Christ’s, yet have the gall to justify ourselves, and lie through our teeth, saying, even Rahab of old lied. No wonder, the LORD said, “Out of the abundance of the heat the mouth speaks.” – Matthew 12:33-37

There is no justification for a lie. A lie is a lie, there are no two opinions on this. Either we are lying, or we are speaking the truth. There is no grey area between the lie, and the truth. Whenever there is a mention of someone lying in the Bible, it is a mere recording of the historical incident, and not some sort of acceptance of it, and an authorisation for us to lie too. Sorry, the Bible that I read, tells me that, the LORD God Almighty saw it fitting, to mention it clearly and unambiguously, reflecting His heart, and His character, when He commanded – “THOU SHALT NOT LIE.”
– “16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” – Exodus 20:16

The LORD makes His heart, His character and His conclusion, amply clear in the following words.
– “22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” – Proverbs 12:22
– “Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.” – Proverbs 25:18 NLT

The LORD hates crooked hearts, and the crooked paths. He simply abhors it, and counts it pure evil. In contrast, God delights in those who desire walk on truthful paths.
– “20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.” – Proverbs 11:20
– “16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” – Proverbs 6:16-19

A lie is a lie, regardless of the ends it tries to meet. For God, ends and means are both EQUALLY IMPORTANT. Some wishfully want to believe, that it is fine to lie, if our intended end is good and noble. How silly of them, if not stupid. ENDS CANNOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS.
– “7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?” – Romans 3:7

It is not God’s nature or character to lie.
– “2…God, who never lies…” – Titus 1:2b
– “19 God is not man, that he should lie…” – Numbers 23:19a

Lying is Lucifer’s character and nature. When we resort to lies – black, white, small, big, little… whatever size and shape – *we are demonstrating our true character, and our true nature* – and displaying for all to see, whose children are we.
– “44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44

The Bible makes it crystal clear, the contrast between those who speak the truth, and those who speak lies, and the consequences of the same.
– “14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” – Revelation 22:14-15

Please remember – there is a cost to be paid, for every lie we speak.
– “21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.” – Proverbs 11:21
– “A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.” – Proverbs 19:9
– “Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.” – Proverbs 21:6
– “8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8

May the LORD grant us His grace to walk the paths of truth. May He give us the courage to always stand for truth. Let us always remember that, when we speak the truth, and stand up for it, we are upholding the righteous character of the Holy God, in and through our choices. Even so, the LORD help us to always reflect His character.