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Introduction

The Bible identifies lying as sin according to the Jewish law and epistles.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16

Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices Colossians 3:9

Why God's people must not lie? Let me give you 4 reasons

Text: Proverbs 6:17b, Colossians 3:9-10, John 8:44, Revelations 21:8

1. Lying is disgusting to God, Proverbs 6:17b

There are six things that the Lord hates, even seven things that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift to run to evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who spreads discord40 among family members.

Any one who lies is not a Christian. Psalms 144:11 says, liars are aliens among God's people. God considers ministers who lie as the least in His Kingdom (Isaiah 9:15) and such ministers lead people to destruction (Jeremiah 23:32).

God is holy and He wants us to be holy. A lie could be harmless and innocent but still it's detestable before the creator. We lie for different reasons. To escape punishment, to receive benefits and even to put others into trouble. Lying cannot be justified under any condition and liars will surely receive God's wrath upon them.

2. When you lie you put on the old self,  Colossians 3:9-10

Paul tells the Colossian church to not to lie to each other so that they will not put on the old self. The moment you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior you put away your old sinful nature and becomes a brand new man (2 Corinthians 5:17). The sin you committed before is forgiven. We believe water baptism is a type of burring the old sinful man. To lie is lie to resurrect the dead old man.

3. Satan is the father of all liars, John 8:44

Satan is known as the father of lies. It is his language. He deceived Eve to disobey God. He attempted to deceive Jesus to disobey the Father's will. Therefore Christians who lie cannot say that God is their heavenly father.

4. Hell is the destination of all liars, Revelations 21:8

Christians who lie shall never inherit eternal life. Not even the least liar. Any one who doesn't repent and turn from his lies are choosing hell as their eternal destination. Psalms 5:6 says that God destroys liars.

Conclusion

You know the GREATEST lie we tell is when we say we don't lie and not necessary to repent. I John 1:8-10 says,

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us….If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and his Word has no place in our lives.

So the first step to accessing God's help in obeying this to be up front with Him-HONEST-about our sin. Verse 9 promises that if we do, "He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Today, in the privacy of our hearts many of us may need a time of honesty assessment after which we ask God to forgive us for the times we have intended to deceive other people.Others may need to trust God's promise to bless us when we obey His leading in our lives.  Whatever decision you have to make, I invite you to do so as I conclude this sermon.