HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 339
page A337
To make ourselves look good. In truth, people are most respected when they own up to
their mistakes and hold their ground when others find their views unpopular. Lying always
makes you look bad when it comes to light.
• G E NE SI S 4 :9 | Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? . . .” “I don’t know,”
Cain responded.
To avoid trouble and punishment. Lying tries to shift the blame away from you, but this solution is only temporary and often brings greater punishment when the truth is discovered.
• G E NE SI S 1 2 :1 2 -1 3 | “When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill
him; then we can have her!’ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my
life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”
To calm fear, a result of a lack of faith. Lying sugarcoats fears, but when the heat of testing
melts the coating, you are still left with the same old fears.
• PSA L M 1 2 :2 | Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
To selfishly get what you want for yourself. Flattery is lying, saying “sweet stuff” to get the
other person in the mood to give you what you want.
• A C T S 1 6 :2 0 | “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted.
To get even. Just as a drop of poison is all it takes to kill someone, a little lie is all it takes
to destroy someone’s reputation. In fact, little lies have been known to literally lead to
others’ deaths.
• L U K E 1 6 :1 0 | “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you
are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
Telling the truth is the litmus test to see if you are trying to model your life after the God
of truth. Telling the truth is the only way to have trust in a relationship. Telling the truth is
commanded by God.
• J O H N 1 4 :6 | Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the
Father except through me.”
• E PH E SI A NS 4 :2 5 | So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all
parts of the same body.
God is truth, so lying is in opposition to God. Truth always speaks what is right and good.
Lying always seeks to cover up the truth.
When evidence is clear and truth is known, how can people still resist?
• A C T S 4 :1 6 -1 8 | “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t
deny that they have performed a miraculous sign.” . . . They called the apostles back in
and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. (See note on
page 984.)
Sometimes people reject the gospel, not because it isn’t true, but because they fear its
consequences in their lives.
What does God think about lying? How should I feel about lying?
• PR O VE R B S 6 :1 6 -1 7 | There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven. . . : Haughty eyes,
a lying tongue . . .
• PR O VE R B S 1 2 :2 2 | The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
• R O MA NS 1 :1 8 | But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people
who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
God is truth, so he must hate lies and lying. He cannot tolerate them because they violate
his personhood.
• PSA L M 1 1 9 :1 6 3 | I hate and abhor all falsehood.
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• PR O VE R B S 1 2 :1 9 | Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
• E PH E SI A NS 4 :2 5 | So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all
parts of the same body.
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Why is it so important to tell the truth?