The Deceitful Tongue Of Pathological Liars. Series

The Bible provides numerous accounts of individuals who succumbed to the temptation of lying, often with severe consequences. In Proverbs 12:22, it is written, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." This sermon will explore few examples of lies in the Bible, the methods used to deceive, and the punishments that followed.

1. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

Ananias and Sapphira, a couple in the early Christian church, lied about donating the full amount they received from selling their property to the apostles. They claimed to have given the entire sum, but in reality, they kept some for themselves. Peter confronted them, and both died suddenly, buried with a great outpouring of grief.

2. Gehazi (2 Kings 5:19-27)

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, lied to Naaman, a Syrian general, about his master needing money and clothing. Elisha cursed Gehazi for his deception, resulting in Gehazi and his descendants being afflicted with leprosy.

3. Jacob and Isaac (Genesis 27:1-40)

Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, by pretending to be Esau, his twin brother, to receive the blessing meant for the firstborn. Jacob's lie was facilitated by his mother, Rebekah. Although Jacob received the blessing, his deception led to years of estrangement from his brother and a life of hardship.

4. David and Uriah (2 Samuel 11:6-25)

King David lied to Uriah, a loyal soldier, about going to his house and washing his feet, when in reality, David wanted Uriah to sleep with his wife, Bathsheba, to cover up the pregnancy resulting from their adultery. Uriah's refusal to indulge in pleasure while his men were at war led David to have him killed in battle.

5. Abraham and Abimelech (Genesis 20:1-18)

Abraham lied to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, about his wife Sarah's identity, claiming she was his sister rather than his wife. God appeared to Abimelech in a dream, warning him about Abraham's deception. Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham and offered him gifts, but God inflicted Abimelech's household with a plague.

6. Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before his crucifixion, despite having previously professed his loyalty. Jesus predicted Peter's denial, and Peter wept bitterly afterward.

7. The Midwives (Exodus 1:15-22)

The Hebrew midwives lied to Pharaoh, claiming that the Hebrew women gave birth before they arrived, to save the male infants from being killed. God rewarded their bravery and compassion by making them prosperous.

8. Satan (Genesis 3:1-5)

In the Garden of Eden, Satan lied to Eve, claiming that eating the forbidden fruit would not result in death but rather make her like God. Satan's deception led to the fall of humanity.

The Fate of Lies

Lies ultimately lead to destruction and chaos. Proverbs 10:18 states, "Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool." Revelation 21:8 warns that liars will be among those thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

The Dangers of Lying

Lying can have severe consequences, both spiritually and physically. Some dangers of lying include:

Loss of trust and relationships

Guilt and shame

Spiritual separation from God

Physical harm or punishment

Encouraging others to deceive

In conclusion, the Bible provides numerous examples of the destructive nature of lying. As Christians, it is essential to cultivate honesty and integrity, reflecting the character of God in our words and actions. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of deception and live a life that honors God.

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