The Normalization of Lies – About Those Lies tho’…

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Colossians 3:8-10 . ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, ¹⁰ and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

Lies have become the expectation for many of us in our society.  We have normalized them, and in far too many cases have even built segments on our society upon them as a foundation.

Think about how many passwords you have on your accounts and devices.  Everyone of them was positioned with the expectation that someone other than yourself, is going to pretend that they are you, so that they can have access to something in your life.  When there is a breach of security, many companies will blame you for them, and say your password was apparently not ‘strong’ enough.  In other words, ‘You knew they were going to lie.  You should have been more prepared’.

Divorce attorneys are now advertising their services.  And why not?  It is well known that more than half of the couples being married today, will need their services very soon. Somebody is going to lie, either at the altar, or soon after.  I saw an ad that posed this question recently.  ‘Was your marriage destroyed during quarantine? Come see us and make it official.’

And of course this is an election year.  We have people called ‘fact-checkers’ standing by to spot and disprove the lies that are being told by our ‘leaders’.  It won’t matter though.  Many people have already made up their minds who they are going to vote for, so politicians can lie all they want in the hope that their base of worshipers will out number the other persons.  The sad thing about all of this is that we think it is normal. I assure you that God sees it differently.

Today we equate honor with an individual’s financial success and wealth, but God is still calling for his people to be truthful in all of their dealings.  God has called us to live a life of honor, truth, and conviction.  There is no real honor in a life that is built around deception and lies.

So, today let’s talk about the 950 pound gorilla in the room that everyone is pretending is not there, and refuses to talk about.  Those lies tho’.

Just to be clear, lying is indeed a sin. 

Exodus 20:16 ¹⁶ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Lies are not just a sin against humanity, they are an assault on God Himself.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ¹⁶ These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:¹⁷ A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

It is telling that all of these sins are connected to lying for business and for pleasure.  All of these sins are related to falsehoods.  In fact, lying can actually change our personalities according to the bible.

Proverbs 6:12-15 ¹² A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth; ¹³ He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers;
¹⁴ Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.
¹⁵ Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

Lies have purpose, and that purpose is related to an ungodly agenda.

Proverbs 26:28 ²⁸ A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

So lies are birthed with a demonic agenda even before someone actually gives them a voice in our world by giving them words.  Let’s look at the origin of lies.

In Genesis Chapter 3, satan lies to Eve about the fruit she latter ate and gave to her husband to eat.  God judged everyone for these actions, so it is clear that He wasn’t having it right from the start.

And let’s not forget what Jesus said about the original liar.  This is what He said to his main critics the Scribes and Pharisees:

John 8:44 ⁴⁴ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Let’s think about where that lie, (whatever it is), really came from before we decide to give it it words next time shall we?

Another reason to refrain from lying is that there are always consequences when we sin, and lies are no exception.

Proverbs 19:9 ⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

Luke 8:17 ¹⁷ For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

Continued lying, (as well as other sins) of course will remove your name from the Lamb’s Book of life and thrust you into the lake of fire for eternity.  (See Rev. Rev. 21:18).  But it is also really embarrassing when you get caught in a lie right here on earth.

The bible even predicted that many people, and now corporations and nations, would be built on lies, and even make financial gains based on their lack of principles.  But this kind of success does not resonate with God.  (See Proverbs 21:6 ,8 and Psalms 12:2-6).

God will always help us to become more like Him if that is our desire.  When it comes to lying it is extremely important that we become lovers of Truth.  That is the only thing that conquers the spirit of lies.  In order to avoid lying and deception you must actively seek out Truth. Notice that I capitilzed the word Truth here. This was done intentionally because Jesus is the Truth!

You can conquer lies!  In fact, God has given you everything you need to conquer sin in this world.  Phil. 4:13 tells us that we can do everything God wants us to do as He gives us strength.  (And by the way, there are no ‘white’ lies, there are only lies).  So let’s stop telling those too.

There is no temptation, including the temptation to lie your way out or into something, that God cannot power you through. (See 1 Cor. 10:13).  God has a way of turning our weakness into His power.  So, the more you ‘truth’, the more powerful you become in God.

One more thing.  It is important to stay in God’s grace by continuing to ask for forgiveness and help.  Somehow this portion of the Christian faith, repentance. is being lost.  Paul said that we have to be careful that we don’t think more of ourselves than what we are.  (This too is a lie).  God will forgive us of sin, including the sin of lying.  But if we say we have no sin, then how can we find forgiveness?  (You see?  You can even lie to yourself).  (Read 1 John 1:8-9).

Let’s let God know that we are serious about having power with Him, and that we are serious about removing every trace of lies and deception from our lives.  In this way we truly bring Him glory, and a life that is pleasing to Him.  We owe it to Him, to our loved ones, to our community, and to ourselves.