Sermon Central
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Lying
Contributed by John Ong on Jun 17, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: The Bible is straightforward in saying that lying is a sin and is offensive to God.
ACTS 5:1-11 SHARES THE STORY OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA…
But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?”
“Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.”
And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”
Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
In this story, Ananias and Sapphira told a lie about their donation to look more generous to their community. Here we see that the Bible is straightforward in saying that lying is a sin and is offensive to God.
Here are 4 reasons why lying is a sin:
1. God hates lying
God rebukes lying because it kills our spirits as Christians. It makes our souls rot. We should be more mindful of the words we speak because it cannot be taken back.
PROVERBS 12: 22
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
PROVERBS 6: 16-19
There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who spreads discord among family members.
But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.
2. It’s addictive and usually gives birth to more sins
Lying makes us believe that if we get away with it, we can repeat it.
3. Destroys relationships
Do we want the people we love to hate us tomorrow because of lying? Should we sacrifice our loved ones to get away with the little lies we build up?
People will eventually leave us if we keep on telling lies, because in general, it’s really hard to deal with people who fabricate stories to look good and credible.
4. Destroys self-esteem
Lies make people more insecure with themselves because it creates a distorted reality about the life they really want.
I used to have a friend who keeps on telling stories about how rich and successful he is. Eventually, I found out that he is living in the slums. I talked to him and made him tell me all the lies he has been telling. He confessed that it was very hard for him to tell lies, but he’s so into it that he can’t escape the thread of his stories. He was so confused and just wanted to fit it. Afterwards, I told him that he shouldn’t feel insecure about his life because everything is not about the riches, but how you will carry yourself genuinely in front of your friends and loved ones.
The Sin of Silence
If you cannot afford to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, you may bring two quarts of choice flour for your sin offering. Since it is an offering for sin, you must not moisten it with olive oil or put any frankincense on it.
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. If you are seeing your friend suffering from injustices, you could speak for them, as long as you have a proof to prove that she is really in a bad situation.
WHEN AND WHY SHOULD YOU STOP LYING?
-When I can readily clear up a misunderstanding
-To help others act justly
