Lying Larry

Intro

2 of these things are true about me and on is a lie. Can you guess which one is a lie?

I fractured my hand during a karate tournament as a teenager.

I arm wrestled the Incredible Hulk (Lou Ferrigno)

I have multiple tattoos

Lying makes it difficult to distinguish the truth.

Frankie and the rest area

Proverbs 18:21 NLT

21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

God desires for us to be honest and truthful to others, to ourselves, and to Him.

Why does it matter?

Lying compromises our identity.

Acts 5:1–11 NLT

1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. 3 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. 4 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!” 5 As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6 Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” 9 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.” 10 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. 11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.

Peter was hurt

How could you do a thing like this?

He was hurt because they were not only lying to him, but lying to God.

2 Main Motives for Lying

1. Greed (What is in it for me?)

2. Recognition (How will this make me look?)

Application

1. What are you trying to hide?

2. What is your motive for trying to hide it?

3. What are the consequences when the truth comes to light?

Proverbs 12:19 NLT

19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

Lying compromises our identity.

Closing

Liar Liar

Imagine a world where everyone told the truth

John 8:32 NLT

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Lying makes it difficult to distinguish the truth.