Language (Lying and Swearing)

AIM: to impress upon my class the seriousness of lying and swearing, and to guide them to resolve to keep their thinking and their language free from both sins.

POINT OF CONTACT: Bring to class five apples in a sack. Tell the class that there are seven apples in the sack. Tell one member of your class to tell another that there are seven apples in the sack. Tell him to "pass it on." After a few of them have told each other that there are seven apples in the sack, take out the five apples. Then ask them this question: Because I said it and you said it and you said it, did that change the fact that there were only five apples? No, of course not. If we had all sworn or used profane language with our statement that there were seven apples in the sack, even this would not have changed the fact that there were only five apples in the sack. A lie is still a lie, and nothing can change fact!

INTRODUCTION:

We now begin a new series of lessons on the matter of separation. Our first lesson concerns the vital area of language. Lying and swearing are mentioned together in some Scripture passages. In , we have a picture of the wicked person. Included in this picture are lying and swearing. gives the characteristics of the unrighteous. These characteristics include both lying and swearing.

Psalm 109:1–20 KJV 1900

1 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; And fought against me without a cause. 4 For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer. 5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. 6 Set thou a wicked man over him: And let Satan stand at his right hand. 7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: And let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few; And let another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow. 10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: Let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. 11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; And let the strangers spoil his labour. 12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: Neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. 13 Let his posterity be cut off; And in the generation following let their name be blotted out. 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord; And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15 Let them be before the Lord continually, That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth. 16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, But persecuted the poor and needy man, That he might even slay the broken in heart. 17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: As he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, So let it come into his bowels like water, And like oil into his bones. 19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, And for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. 20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord, And of them that speak evil against my soul.

Romans 3 KJV 1900

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Lying and cursing in a Christian’s life are definitely signs that the old wicked flesh is being victorious; lying and swearing in the life of a non-Christian are indications of his unsaved condition.

I. LYING.

1. The originator of lies is the Devil. See .

John 8:44 KJV 1900

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1) In all of the history of man, Satan has plagued him with lies.

Sometimes the Devil’s reasoning is cloaked in truth, but the conclusion is always a lie. The Devil will often even quote Scripture to get his listeners to believe him. Some examples of Satan’s lies are the following:

a) Telling Eve that God didn’t really mean it when He told her that in the day she would eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil she would surely die.

b) Telling Jesus to perform miracles to prove His deity and to bow down to Satan in order to gain the world.

c) Speaking through Peter to Jesus when Peter tried to tell Jesus that He would not have to suffer and die and rise again.

d) Convincing Judas that it would be to his gain personally to betray Jesus.

2) A liar has as his father the Devil.

Jesus told the Pharisees that the Devil was their father because they believed the Devil’s lies. Anybody who is not saved has his spiritual discernment darkened and will not believe the truth, nor will he recognize the untruth. The Pharisees would not believe Jesus.

2. God cannot lie; He is the Author of truth.

1) Truth came into the world through the Son of God. Read ; .

John 1:17 KJV 1900

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

2) God hates "a lying tongue" and "a false witness that speaketh lies.

" Notice . Lying and bearing false witness are an abomination to Him. God looks upon lying as something that stinks, something that is abhorred. There is no place in the Bible where lies are measured; one kind of lie is not a little lie, nor is another kind of lie a great big lie. Lying is lying; it is wicked sin from which a Christian should be separated.

Proverbs 6:17–19 KJV 1900

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.

3) Jesus says that whatever comes out of the mouth defiles a man.

Bad language shows him to be dirty on the inside, for it comes from the heart. Lying reveals a bad condition within a man. See . Jesus commanded that we should not bear false witness. .

Matthew 15:17–20 KJV 1900

17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Matthew 19:18 KJV 1900

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

3. Lies can be told in many different ways.

1) The most obvious way is to speak a lie.

We are giving false witness to what actually happened when we speak a lie.

2) We lie when we act like Christians but are not saved.

esus denounced the Pharisees most severely for this one thing: saying and acting as if they were God-fearing people when actually they were not.

Jesus denounced the Pharisees most severely for this one thing: saying and acting as if they were God-fearing people when actually they were not.

3) We lie when we flatter someone.

There is a vast difference between a compliment and flattery. We need to compliment people to encourage them. "You look so nice today"; "I enjoyed your solo"; "You did a good job with the speech which you prepared"; "I like your hair that way." However, if any of these things are not said in sincerity, they are lies, and God is not pleased. In we are admonished, "...meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips."

Proverbs 20:19 KJV 1900

19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: Therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

4) We lie when we break a promise.

We should be very careful about the promises that we make so that we can keep them. God never breaks any of His promises, and we should seek to be like Him.

5) A preacher who is unfaithful to the Word of God is a liar.

Any man who calls himself a minister of the Gospel and does not preach the Bible is committing a sin. The Lord revealed to His people that there were many among them during the days of Jeremiah who were not preaching the truth. Read , .

Jeremiah 29:8 KJV 1900

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

Jeremiah 29:9 KJV 1900

9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.

6) We lie if we keep silent when we ought to speak.

If we keep quiet about having Jesus as our Saviour, we lie just as much as Peter lied when he denied knowing Him. If we do not witness against an evildoer whenever we ought to, we are liars. If we seek to cover up an act in which we are involved, we are lying.

7) We can lie by our attitude.

If we pretend that everything is all right when someone should know that it is not all right, we are lying.

4. There are many reasons why we lie.

1) First of all, of course, is the fact that by nature we all are sinful people.

2) We lie because we are selfish.

Many people lie when confronted with the question of ownership when they have taken something! One sin is compounded with another. Students might have had permission to get some help from someone in writing a theme or working on a science project. If the students do not give credit where the credit is due, they are lying.

3) We lie because of jealousy.

Many people are so jealous of another’s accomplishments or of another’s attractiveness that they will make up things about the other in an effort to transfer some recognition to themselves.

4) We lie because of fear.

Fear of the consequences of a misdeed perhaps is basis for most lies. We are afraid of punishment. If punishment is due, it should be accepted. Being punished always makes us better and is just a sign of God’s love for us, as we learn in . If we detest the punishment so much, we need to work on this particular matter in our character and to pray for God’s help.

Hebrews 12:6 KJV 1900

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

5) We lie because we want attention.

Very little children make up outlandish stories about something to get adults to listen to them. All ages of people add to or take away from relating an experience in order to make a good story. This is also lying.

5. We are supposed to be able to recognize a lie.

1) We need to be grown-up enough to disbelieve false doctrine.

Notice .

Ephesians 4:14 KJV 1900

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

2) Before making a decision based upon someone else’s information, we are to ask counsel of God.

The story in is a good example of how people got out of God’s will because they did not ask God about the matter; they believed a lie.

Joshua 9 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; 2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord. 3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, 4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; 5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. 6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. 7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? 8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? 9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 10 And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. 11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. 12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: 13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. 14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. 16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. 17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim. 18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. 19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them. 21 And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them. 22 And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? 23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. 24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. 26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. 27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the Lord, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

6. There could be serious consequences resulting from the formulation of a lie.

1) In Martin Luther’s day, the Catholic church started a lie that Martin Luther was an insane man.

This lie was started so that people would believe the doctrine of having to earn one’s way to Heaven rather than the doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus.

2) In Jesus’ day the rulers of the synagogue paid the Roman soldiers a large sum of money to lie to the people, telling them that the disciples had come and stolen the body of Jesus from the tomb.

Many people in that day might have believed that lie.

3) In God promises, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish."

Proverbs 19:9 KJV 1900

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, And he that speaketh lies shall perish.

II. SWEARING.

1. We are talking about using profane or obscene language.

1) God commanded against using His name lightly.

This is found in . It is a serious matter to take the name of the Lord in vain.

Exodus 20:7 KJV 1900

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

2) Jesus commanded against swearing.

See .

Matthew 5:33–37 KJV 1900

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

3) The Word of God commands us to be careful about the words that we say. Read .

James 5:12 KJV 1900

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

2. There are reasons why people swear.

1) Man’s depraved nature, of course, is the basic reason for filthy language.

2) No real love for Jesus can be in the hearts of people who use His name wrongly.

Profanity might have become a habit with some unsaved people; now that they are saved, it is a bad habit that has to be broken.

3) Some people are insecure and seek to imitate others just to become one of the crowd; they, therefore, learn to swear.

4) Some people are so proud that they could not be humbled to talk decently, until the Lord convicts them of pride.

5) A fit of temper might bring out swear words from some people who would not ordinarily talk this way.

CONCLUSION:

We need to put a guard on our language. We need to improve our thinking and our speaking so that nothing will come through our lips that would dishonor our Lord.