SF440 - THE RULES HAVE NOT CHANGED - TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (Exodus 20 16)

SF440

THE RULES HAVE NOT CHANGED

Rule #9: Tell The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But The Truth!

Exodus 20:16

INTRODUCTION

Series Background

                        The purpose of the law

To reveal man's sinfulness

To expose the awfulness of sin

To reveal the holiness of God

To restrain the sinner and bring him to Christ

To regulate society

Overview

1‑4 are God‑ward

5‑10 are man‑ward

Sermon Background

The Problem

We all have a natural tendency to lie.

Psalms 58:3  "Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies."

Revelation 22:15  "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood."

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The Purpose Of The Command

Safeguards reputation

Character = What you really are

Reputation = What people say you are.

Proverbs 22:1  "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

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1A.      LET'S DEFINE LYING

A statement which is contrary to fact told with the intention to deceive.

1B.      The Origin Of Lying

John 8:44  "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

When we lie we act like the devil!

2B.      How Lies Operate

1 John 1:6,8,10

1C.      We lie to others (v.6)

2C.      We lie to ourselves (v.8)

3C.      We lie to God (v.10)

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3B.      The Outcome Of Lying

1C.      Damages others

Psalms 55:21  "His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords."

James 3:8  "but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

                        Pillow - Feathers in the Wind

2C.      Dooms the liar

Matthew 12:37  "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.""

Revelation 21:8  "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.""

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2A.      LET'S DESCRIBE LYING

1B.      Slandering

Psalms 101:5  "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence..."

Jesus lived his life under the slanderous shadow that He was illegitimate.

2B.      Talebearing

Tells something not knowing if the facts are correct.

1 Timothy 5:13  "Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to."

1C.      Rumormonger

Spread innuendo

2C.      Gossips

Pests of society

Proverbs 18:8  "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts."

Proverbs 26:20  "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."

3B.      Insinuating

Proverbs 6:12-13  "A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, 13 who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers,"

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4B.      Flattery

Proverbs 26:28  "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin."

Insincere praise

Saying to someone to their face what you would not say behind their backs.

5B.      Condoning

Allowing a lie to go uncorrected.

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3A.      LET'S DEFEAT LYING

God Is True

Jesus Is The Truth

The Holy Spirit Is The Spirit Of Truth

1B.      Love The Truth

Psalms 51:6  "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."

The heart of the problem is the problem of our heart.

2B.      Learn The Truth

Ephesians 4:21  "Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus."

Philippians 4:8  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

3B.      Live The Truth

Ephesians 4:25  "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor...

APPLICATION

We are all liars!

Only Christ can change us!