A Hard Habit to Break

Introduction:

Genesis 20:1–3 ESV

1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.”

Genesis 20:1–2 ESV

1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

Genesis 20:1–7 ESV

1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

Here we have Abraham telling the same lie that he told in Egypt.

God has promised him that within a year Sarah will have his son.

He’s 99 years old Sarah is 90.

And he is willing to throw it all away on a lie because he is scared.

It’s easy for us to sit in judgement on Abraham but I believe we can learn some things from this passage about lying this morning.

I want you to imagine a world with me for a moment without lying. Everyone told the truth all the time. The world would be a completely different place.

There would be no reason for the court system.

Everything would be sealed by your word. And your word would be honored.

How many of you would testify that you have been hurt by someone lying to you?

People lie so much that it’s become second nature to us. We lie about all kinds of things: Silly things!

We lie about our age or our weight.

We lie about our jobs.

We lie about that dress that makes you look fat.

We lie about how much money we make.

We lie about our taxes.

We lie to our kids about their talents and abilities.

How many marriages have been destroyed because of lies and deception.

How many children have been hurt emotionally or even physically because of a lie.

How many people have suffered and even died because they were falsely accused.

When I am counseling with people I must read between the lines to try and find the truth because people will even lie to themselves.

Why do we do this? What could possibly be the motivation that would cause us to live in a world of lies?

A lie is a self-preservation tactic born out of fear and lack of trust.

Genesis 20:10–11 ESV

10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’

Genesis

We live and lie out of fear.

If I’m honest with you, you will judge me.

If I’m honest with you, I will hurt your feelings.

If I’m honest with you, you won’t like me.

If I’m honest with you, it will cost me.

If I’m honest with you, it will kill me.

Lies are the Devils work

John 8:44–45 ESV

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. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

John 8:44 ESV

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.

We have inherited this sin nature from Satan and this entire world system that is based on lies.

A lie can alter your reality for a moment, but the truth always comes out.

A lie destroys trust

Lack of trust destroys relationships

Lack of relationships causes depression

Depression leads to death

The character and nature of God is the direct opposite of the devil and this world system.

Numbers 23:19 ESV

19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

When God speaks you can believe him.

When He promises he will deliver.

God hates lying!

Proverbs 6:16–19 ESV

16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Proverbs 12:19–22 ESV

19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

God will always bring the truth to light.

Genesis 20:3–7 ESV

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

Genesis 20:

Living in truth and honesty is the only way to be free!

John 8:31–32 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Truth will set you free!

Freedom to live in reality.

Freedom to work on your issues and insecurities.

Freedom to invite other into an intimate relationship with you.

Freedom to walk with God.

Truth builds trust.

Trust builds relationships

Relationships bring fulfilment and joy.

Concluding thoughts:

When do we stop living in fear and start trusting God?

You might be here this morning and realize that fear and deception is all you’ve ever known.

Maybe today is your day to come out of the shadows and let the truth of God set you free.

When you put your trust in God he becomes your biggest advocate and rejoices in the truth even when it’s not pretty.

It’s only by living in the truth of Jesus that you can truly be free.

When will you stop lying to yourself and deal with your true reality?

When will we stop lying to each other and have some authentic relationships?

When do we trust that God is powerful enough to protect us in the truth?

Not only was God powerful enough to protect Abraham in his journey, but even protected him in his lie.

Here we have Abraham telling the same lie that he told in Egypt.

God has promised him that within a year Sarah will have his son.

He’s 99 years old Sarah is 90.

And he is willing to throw it all away on a lie because he is scared.

It’s easy for us to sit in judgement on Abraham but I believe we can learn some things from this passage about lying this morning.

I want you to imagine a world with me for a moment without lying. Everyone told the truth all the time. The world would be a completely different place.

There would be no reason for the court system.

Everything would be sealed by your word. And your word would be honored.

How many of you would testify that you have been hurt by someone lying to you?

People lie so much that it’s become second nature to us. We lie about all kinds of things: Silly things!

People lie so much that it’s become second nature to us.

We lie about our age or our weight.

We lie about our jobs.

We lie about that dress that makes you look fat.

We lie about how much money we make.

We lie about our taxes.

We lie to our kids about their talents and abilities.

How many marriages have been destroyed because of lies and deception.

How many children have been hurt emotionally or even physically because of a lie.

How many people have suffered and even died bcause they were falsely accused.

When I am counseling with people I have to read between the lines to try and find the truth because people will even lie to themselves.

Why do we do this? What could possibly be the motivation that would cause us to live in a world of lies?

A lie is self-preservation mechanism produced by a lack of trust in God and fear of man

Fear

What if cenerios

Lack of Trust

Self preservation

What do lies cause?

Fear

Lack of Trust

destruction