A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (December 8, 2016)
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:4)
Most people look at lying as just a minor thing. We even call some lies as just “little white lies”. However, when we look at how God addresses lying in the Bible we see an entirely different tone and evaluation of lying. The following are just a few examples:
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. (John 8:44)
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:9-10)
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. (Revelation 21:8)
It would appear that God, who can never lie (Titus 1:2), does not look too favorably upon lying.
I will never forget a situation that arose when my wife and I were ministering in a women’s prison in Memphis, TN. There was one woman that was convicted of having her husband killed but she refused to admit that she had anything to do with it even though the evidence was overwhelmingly against her. After ministering in this prison several times it was apparent that this woman was consumed by lying. Yes, lying is a Spirit and you can become so consumed by it that you don’t know the truth anymore. You start believing the lies.
I remember praying and asking God how to reach this woman. The response I received was to keep preaching the truth and it would eventually push out the lies (light dispels darkness). It worked! Eventually this woman gave her life to the Lord and when she did she was able to admit what she did.
We live in a world and time where it is easier and easier to publish and teach a lie. We have social media and even major television networks pumping out fake news. We have major colleges, which were founded by Christians, now having to shutdown long standing courses in ethics and morals because they are now considered politically incorrect. That is why it is so important for you and I to stay plugged into the truth.
Some of the last few devotions we have published have concentrated on Christians learning how to win again and how we need to stand up and be strong and courageous. Some may think that to be too combative in nature but I don’t think so. You can speak the truth in love. We’ve been at the back of the bus for too long! We need to stand up and speak up! We need to come out of the closest! Future generations are at stake here!!
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)
