Historical Posts
Oaths – As Good As His Word
Let Your Yes by Yes and Your No be No.
Jesus taught, “…you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,” and your ‘No,’ be ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:33-37).
Oaths Were Meaningless and Deceptive.
Oaths were common in our Lord’s day. So common were they that they had become worthless. Two serious problems arose in connections with them. First, there was the practice of frivolous oaths. They were used for the most insignificant matters, and therefore became meaningless. Then there was the more dangerous practice of deceptive oaths. The Pharisees (a leading Jewish sect) were especially gifted in their use. Jesus strongly condemned them for their deception (Matthew 23:16-22).
Don’t Use Oaths. Be True to Your Word.
Jesus’ disciples were not to use oaths. He expected them to always be true to their word. Christians tell the truth, keep their word, and honor their promises. When they say “Yes,” they mean “Yes,” and when they say “No,” they mean “No.” A man is, after all, only as good as his word!
Here is a message our world desperately needs. Speak the truth! Honor your word! Do what you say! There is not a segment of society which does not need to be reminded of this. Politicians, preachers, and people from all walks of life need to rediscover the importance and power of the simple truth.
Choose a Good Name.
Many a man’s reputation has been destroyed because he was loose with the truth and unwilling to keep his word. Often, financial or material gain is the motive for such deception. But, remember the words of Solomon, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1). No man can have a good name if he is not true to his words!
Are you interested in developing a good reputation?
Keep your word!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Proverbs 17:04 – Lying – audio
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Text: Proverbs 17:4
Introduction
A. Lying is huge problem today.
1) Some say things that are not true
2) Others say one thing and do another.
B. Lying has been known to hurt many relationships.
C. The wise man wrote, “An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue (Proverbs 17:4).”
D. Liars love to hear untruths and pass them along to others.
E. A lie is false, untrue, erroneous, deceitful, or wicked. Thus, a liar is one who speaks or does any of these things.
Body
I. Who does not lie?
A. It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18; Numbers 23:19).
B. Christ does not lie (1 Peter 2:21-23).
C. Christians should no longer lie (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9).
D. John describes Heaven as a place where there will be no lies (Revelation 21:27).
II. What should be the proper attitude to lies?
A. God hates a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:16-17).
B. The Psalmist hates and abhors lying (Psalm 119:163).
C. The righteous man should hate lying (Proverbs 13:5).
III. Who does lie?
A. Jesus said the devil is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44).
B. Who do we make a liar?
1) We make God a liar if we say we have not sinned (1 John 1:10).
2) We make Christ a liar if we do not believe the testimony God gave of Him (1 John 2:22; 5:10).
3) Since we have sinned (Romans 3:23) and God did give His son (John 3:16 et. al.), we would be lying to deny it!
C. “…Let God be true but every man a liar (Romans 3:4)…”
D. One lies if he exchanges the truth of God (Romans 1:25).
E. One lies if he claims fellowship with Christ but walks in darkness (1 John 1:6-7).
F. We lie if we claim to know Christ but do not keep His commandments (1 John 2:4-6).
G. We lie if we claim to love God but hate our brother (1 John 4:20-21).
H. Satan entered the heart of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit and God (Acts 5:1-4).
IV. What would be the end result of lies?
A. As Satan does lying wonders, those who believe such lies will perish (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
B. ALL liars will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8).
Conclusion
A. If we have lied in the past or are lying now, we must repent.
B. We should not heed those who lie, and correct lies with truths from God’s Word.
C. If we are not lying now, let us not be tempted to start!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Nathanael as Christ
Nathanael is perhaps best known for asking, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth (John 1:46)?” When told to come and see, he began to approach Jesus. As he approached, Jesus said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit (John 1:47)!”
Jesus gave Nathanael a wonderful compliment! Sometimes it is difficult to say the right thing or do the right thing at any given moment, but Jesus knew Nathanael was very good at it. After all, there was no deceit in him.
There was no deceit found in the mouth of Christ either (1 Peter 2:21-22; Isaiah 53:9). He is the perfect example, and in this regard Nathanael is just like Him!
What about us? Are we being deceitful? Remember, “Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit (Psalm 32:2).”
We must always “speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15)…”
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 Peter 03:10 Lies and Deceit – audio
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Text: 1 Peter 3:10
Introduction
1. In honor of the upcoming elections, today we are going to discuss LIES AND DECEIT.
2. James 3:6-8. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
3. The world is full of liars.
4. From a very young age, we learn that it is wrong to lie and yet of all the sins of the tongue, lying is the most common.
5. In our society, it has gotten to the point that almost never take a person at their word.
6. How does God view lying?
7. What is a lie?
8. Is telling a half-truth a lie?
9. What is the difference between lying and deceiving?
10. Let’s explore these and other questions in regard to LIES AND DECEPTION.
Body
I. DEFINITIONS
A. Lie – An intentionally false statement.
1. This is what we usually think of when we think of a lie.
2. Intentionally making a false statement.
3. Oftentimes, we say things that are not true because we know no better. This is not, by definition, a lie.
a) We need to realize that, especially in things pertaining to God, we are going to be held responsible for knowing the truth so that we don’t say things that are untrue.
b) James 3:1. My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
c) Ephesians 5:6. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
d) 1 John 4:1. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
4. 1 Kings 13:18. He said to him, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.)
B. Deceive – to cause someone to believe something that is not true.
1. Deceit – The action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
2. Deception is a broader term than lying.
a) All lies are deceit but you can deceive without telling a lie.
b) The end result is the same – namely, someone believes something to be true which is not true.
c) It is how you get there that is different.
d) For example:
(1) Cookie thief.
(2) “Is your dad home? …”
3. This is where many (But not all) politicians make their living.
a) They do not tell (Usually) outright lies. If so, they could get into serious trouble.
b) What they often do is misrepresent the truth.
(1) By taking quotes out of context.
(2) By twisting and distorting the truth.
(3) By only telling part of the truth and leaving out inconvenient truths.
4. This is also where many false religious teachers make their living.
a) These people handle the word of God deceitfully. 2 Corinthians 4:2. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
b) They quote scripture out of context.
(1) Exodus 21:23-25. But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
(2) Matthew 5:38-42. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
c) They twist and distort the truth. 2 Peter 3:16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
(1) The truth about the second coming of Jesus is distorted to teach the false doctrine of the rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
(2) The truth about the foundation of the church is corrupted by the Catholic church. Matthew 16:18. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
d) They leave out inconvenient truths.
(1) They affirm the need for faith to be saved. Acts 16:30-31. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
(2) They don’t mention the need for baptism. Mark 16:16. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
(3) Psalm 119:160. The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
II. GOD’S VIEW OF LYING AND DECEIT
A. Note these passages:
1. Exodus 20:16. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
2. Proverbs 6:16-17. These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood
3. Proverbs 12:22. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
4. Proverbs 13:5. A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
5. Proverbs 19:5. A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.
6. Proverbs 20:17. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
7. 1 Peter 2:1. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking
8. Revelation 21:8. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
9. Revelation 21:27. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
B. Lies and deceit are wrong because:
1. God said they are wrong. (See above)
2. They violate Matthew 7:12. Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
3. They ruin lives.
a) Proverbs 11:9. The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
b) Proverbs 26:18-19. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
4. They destroy relationships.
5. They hurt the church.
III. THE REMEDY FOR LYING
A. The remedy for lying is the same as the remedy for every other sin: REPENT.
B. Ephesians 4:17-25. This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
Conclusion
1. “It’s just a little white lie…”
2. There is no such thing.
3. Lies and deceit will cause us to be lost if we don’t repent.
4. 1 Peter 3:10. For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.”
Delivered on: November 4, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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1 Peter 05:08 Satan’s Work in the World
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Text: 1 Peter 5:8
Introduction
- The Bible describes Satan as the enemy, adversary, murderer, tempter, and the wicked one – 1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31-32. Because Satan and those angels that followed him rebelled against God, they were cast out of their heavenly habitation – Luke 10:18; Jude 6.
- The devil and his angels have no hope of redemption. The blood that was shed in Jesus death, that washes away our sins when we believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16), cannot save Satan and his angels. The devil and his angels have a place reserved for them – Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4.
- Since Satan, and his host of angels that followed him, will never enjoy the beauties and splendor of heaven again, Satan is determined to destroy man, doing his best to make sure heaven is not man’s eternal home.
Satan Uses Deceit and Lies to Eternally Destroy the Souls of Men and Women
- If Satan and his angels are able to convince you to believe and live a lie, instead of obeying the living truth of God’s Word, he has you captured and placed you in the bondage of sin. This will lead to your eternal damnation if you don’t turn from error to the truth – Genesis 3:1-7.
- Satan has an arsenal of weapons to deceive you with. These include covetousness (Matthew 19:16-22), lust of the flesh (2 Samuel 11, David & Bathsheba), and an unforgiving heart (Matthew 6:14-15), to just name a few. Therefore, you must take heed and become aware of the deceiving power of Satan, so that you don’t fall into sin and death – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
- Satan also uses lack of Bible knowledge (Hosea 4:6) to deceive, and ultimately damn, souls. A number of people today believe aborting an unborn child, taking an innocent life, is acceptable behavior. Others contend that there is nothing wrong with fornication, or sodomy. Satan has greatly deceived many – 2 Timothy 3:13.
Satan’s Work is to Accuse Christ, and His Servants, to Turn Many from Saving Truth
- A proper name for Satan is the devil which denotes, “an accuser, a slander.” In Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, the devil tempts Jesus to sin by challenging Jesus Divinity. After each temptation Jesus directs the devil to the written Word of God.
- There will be people, led by the spirit of Satan, who will falsely accuse the character and faith of Christians. This is because it is the work of Satan to turn people from the truth – Galatians 1:6-8; Acts 13:6-10. For example, many believe the lie that the devil has espoused in the religious world, that water baptism is not necessary for your salvation – Mark 16:16.
- God loved us and sent His Son to die for the sins of the world. God raised Him from the dead, giving victory to those that obey Him, rejecting Satan, sin, and death. Why not come and be free today – John 8:36.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Do Not Lie
A certain woman, preparing to entertain guests, went to a small neighborhood grocery store to buy food. She stopped at the meat counter and asked the attendant for a large fresh chicken. He reached down into the cold storage compartment, grabbed the last chicken he had, and placed it on the scale. “This one weighs four pounds, ma’am,” he said. “I’m not sure that will be enough,” the woman replied. “Don’t you have a bigger one?” The attendant put the chicken back into the compartment, pretended to search through the melting ice for another one, and then brought out the same bird, discreetly applying some finger pressure to the scale. “Ah,” he said with a smile, “this one weighs six pounds.” “I’m just not sure,” the woman said with a frown. “I’ll tell you what-wrap them both up for me!”
It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who said, “Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all.” And, Abraham Lincoln is credited with the observation, “No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar.”
A lie is the weapon of choice in Satan’s arsenal
From the Bible it would seem that a lie is the weapon of choice in Satan’s arsenal. It was certainly effective in the beginning (Genesis 3), and is still the cause of much sin and spiritual disease today. Jesus went so far as to say that Satan was “a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with 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.” (John 8:44).
Do not lie to one another
One of the things which should distinguish Christians from all others is their absolute devotion to truth. Solomon admonished, “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23). Those sentiments seem to be echoed by the Apostle Paul when he cautioned Christians: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:9-10). Lying, deception, and falsehood are all found in the devil’s tool chest.
The truth will set you free
To the very best of our ability, we must be honest and truthful in all our dealings with one another. We cannot alter the truth to spare feelings. The Bible doesn’t distinguish between white and black lies. We must always be kind, but truthful. There are going to be times when the truth will hurt, but lying will ultimately hurt even more. Jesus message still resonates: “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
— Roger
MAY 13, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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1 Peter 05:08 Satan’s Work in the World – audio
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Text: 1 Peter 5:8
Introduction
- The Bible describes Satan as the enemy, adversary, murderer, tempter, and the wicked one (1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31-32). Because Satan & those angels that followed him rebelled against God, they were cast out of their heavenly habitation (Luke 10:18; Jude 6).
- The devil and his angels have no hope of redemption. The blood that was shed in Jesus death, that washes away our sins when we believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16), cannot save Satan and his angels. The devil and his angels have a place reserved for them (Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4).
- Since Satan, and his host of angels that followed him, will never enjoy the beauties and splendor of heaven again, Satan is determined to destroy man, and make sure heaven is not his eternal home.
Satan Uses Deceit to Destroy Souls
- If Satan and his angels are able to convenience you to believe and live a lie, instead of obeying the living truth of God’s Word, he has you captured and placed you in the bondage of sin which will lead to eternal damnation, if you don’t turn from error to the truth (Genesis 3:1-7).
- Satan has an arsenal of weapons to deceive you with such as:
– Covetousness (Matthew 19:16-22)
– Lust of the flesh (2 Samuel 11 – David and Bathsheba)
– An unforgiving heart (Matthew 6:14-15) - Therefore, you must take heed to the deceiving power of Satan so that you won’t fall into sin and death (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
- Satan uses the lack of Biblical knowledge (Hosea 4:6) to deceive, lie, and ultimately damn souls with rebellious angels. A number of people today believe aborting an unborn child’s life is acceptable behavior, others contend that their nothing wrong with fornication, or sodomy, but Satan has greatly deceived many – (2 Timothy 3:13).
Satan Accuses Christ Causing People to Turn From Truth
- A proper name for Satan is the devil which denotes, “an accuser, a slander.”
- In Matthew 4:4-10, the devil tempts Jesus to sin by challenging Jesus Divinity. After each temptation Jesus directs the devil to the written Word of God.
- There will be people that are led by the spirit of Satan who will falsely accuse the character and faith of Christians, because it’s the work of Satan to turn people from the truth (Galatians 1:6-8; Acts 13:6-10).
- For example many believe the lie that the devil has espoused in the religious world that water baptism is not necessary for your salvation (Mark 16:16).
- God loved us and sent His Son to die for the sins of the world. God raised Him from the dead, giving victory to those that obey Him over Satan, sin, and death. Why not come and be free today (John 8:36).
HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BAPTISM
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page