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Do Not Lie
November 17, 2018

In studying the ten commandments, it is easy to see the first four commandments focus how we show respect to God. The final six commandments show how we love other people. Last week we considered the perils of theft. The ninth commandment focuses on honesty, and in a recent political campaign season in the United States with charges of fake news by some and charges of dishonesty by news organizations called fake news, with lies and distortions of truth on both sides of the political aisle, dishonesty is alive and well in America. A very simple commandment is given as part of the ten commandments.

Exodus 20:16
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Some will look at this verse and might claim the need to be truthful only applies when speaking about or to those living adjacent to us. That's not the case at all. Jesus explained the origin of lies to the people of Jerusalem.

John 8:42-47
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 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. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Jesus bluntly told the people of Jerusalem that their father was the devil who in addition to being the original murderer, was the father of all lies. He also told them because their father was the devil and not God, they could not understand the words of God that Jesus was speaking. This must have come across as blasphemy to those who heard Jesus speak. Because those who lie are practicing a deception invented by the devil, a stern fate awaits those who lie.

Revelation 21:6-9
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

The Book of Revelation speaks of a lake of fire that instantly snuffs out life. This is in contrast to a perception of hell that so many have for the fate of the evil, where a sinner can sin all they want and they too will have eternal life, albeit in hell. This concept of hell is not supported by the Bible and the lake of fire is provided as the fate awaiting those who do not obey God. Liars are included in the list of those whose fate will be met by this lake of fire. We may think that only truly evil people will have this fate-look at the list. Even fearful people will meet this fate. Eternal life will be given to those who are God's, who hear and obey God's words, and among this group there will be no liars.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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