Truth or Consequences

Ephesians 4:25 KJV 1900

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Lying Defined

A statement that is contrary to fact, spoken with the intent to deceive.

It is not a lie if I tell you it is noon, but then realize my watch has stopped and it is actually 1 pm.

It is a lie if it is 1 pm (and I know it’s 1 pm), I tell you it is noon -and I did so with the intent of making you late for a meeting because it would get you fired and I would be promoted to your position.

Examples

False Statements

Bill Clinton - “I did not have sex with that woman.”

Lies of omission - leaving out information.

Parent: Where are you going tonight?

Teen: Spending the night at friends house (truth)

-Leaving out that before spending the night at friend’s house you are going to a party.

Lies of exaggeration - it may contain truth, but false statements are added to the truth to make the liar look better.

Guy I used to play golf with - would tell me how he had hit drives 350 yds. (always when playing with someone else)

I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

No false statement

No truth left out (No omissions)

Nothing added to the truth (exaggeration)

White Lies (telling someone you’re busy - when you’re not - because you don’t want to accept their invitation) - you don’t want to hurt them is the excuse.(Problem - over time you will lose credibility)

Falsifying Tax Returns

Breaking a Contract (I will do this, I didn’t - I lied)

Cheating on a Test (this is my work, my answer - it’s not)

Lying Detested(;)

Proverbs 12:22 KJV 1900

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: But they that deal truly are his delight.

Proverbs 6:16–19 KJV 1900

These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

Lying Derived (; )

The source of everything that we are and everything we are supposed to be is our Father.

Our Father is the God of truth ()

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. ()

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth. ()

The Word of God is truth. ()

John 8:44 KJV 1900

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.

Lying Depicted

Abraham (; )

Isaac ()

Rebekah and Jacob ()

Rebekah and Jacob ()

Laban ()

Jacob’s Sons ()

Joseph’s Brothers ()

Ananias and Sapphira ()

Peter ()

Lying Designed

To avoid consequences

-honest mistake (Sarah - laughing)

-sin (Cain; Joseph’s brothers)

Fear of man

Fear of opinion (knowing the real you)

Fear of harm (Abraham; Peter)

Lying is the great revealer that one fears man more than God. (I’m more concerned with what you think of me, what you can do to me - that what God thinks of me, what God can do to me)

Personal Gain

-Rebekah, Jacob (Deceiving Isaac)

-Taxes, cheating on test

To influence others opinion of us.

-Annanias/Sapphira

-We feel we have to distort the truth about us to get others to think highly of us.

Lying Damages

Our Testimony ()

Our Relationships (; )

Psalm 101:7 KJV 1900

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

The Lives of Others (; )

Abraham endangered Sarah

There were financial consequences for Abimilech

-Isaac followed in dad’s footsteps, Jacob followed in grandpa’s footsteps

Lying is selfish

-It is self-promotion, self-protection, self-absorbed and ultimately self-destructive.

Lying Defeated ()

Ephesians 4:25 KJV 1900

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

The only way you can put away lying is by speaking the truth

The only way you can speak truth is to put away lying.

The only way you can speak the truth is by putting away lying.

Speaking truth (being honest)

Promotes a clear conscience

Promotes authentic relationships

Preserves one’s integrity and testimony

Promotes a clear conscience.

Promotes a clear conscience

Promotes authentic relationships.

Promotes authentic relationships

Maintains one’s integrity

Preserve one’s integrity and testimony.