Lying is a sin!
I was thinking about this this morning. Actually, I've been thinking about this a lot lately; how rampant lying is today. I was thinking about the Epstein files. This is all about a very big powerful sex trafficking ring for rich and powerful people. Very young girls were lured in by lying to them. At a certain point they couldn't get out. I believe strongly that all of this needs to be exposed.
The Bible calls lying an "abomination to the Lord" (Proverbs 12:22)
New International Version
22 The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
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There may be some exceptions in extreme cases, such as to save lives (e.g., hiding people during wartime). However, traditional teaching emphasizes that God cannot lie, and scripture discourages all forms of dishonesty.
Think about what lying does. It damages trust, attacks divine sovereignty, and separates us from God.
The book of Acts in the Bible is all about the first church. These people were in God's kingdom. They had received the Holy Spirit.
There is a story in this book that talks about a couple who lied. Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold property but deceitfully kept part of the proceeds, pretending to give the full amount to the early church. We don't know what affects their lies had on the church, or even if others knew, but Peter confronted Ananias about lying to the Holy Spirit.
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
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Is not God the best judge? He knows all things. He knows what is true and what are lies. This couple did not fall dead by the hands of man. God judged them and they fell dead by his judgement.
