Liar
There are many heinous and much less serious crimes in the world and always associated in some way with evil will be lies and liars. Liar is a term people want to avoid about themselves or any of their associations. Indoctrination usually involves lies of some sort, certainly deception. As soon as someone says we need to indoctrinate these people, they are saying without this approach it will be difficult to convince them. The truth does not need this specialized means of bringing others to “your” point of view. God does not indoctrinate, but just presents the facts, the truth and you can accept or reject. The religions of the world all have their ways of “helping you” to reach THEIR truth. They have their books, their apologists, their examples and usually a well-conceived path to “hook” their targets. This sounds very clandestine, because it is and typically very successful. This is particularly pathetic when the targets are young children. Parents want their children to believe like them and so from home and from the environment as best they can they provide associations (often including schools) to achieve their children’s indoctrination. Of course, in some religions like Islam, Mormonism, Catholicism there is little choice by parents in terms of the indoctrination their children must receive. Although all have these religions have the same goals, they are different in how they force participation. Islam requires the children to be raised very strictly in their system. There is seldom, if ever any deviation allowed in this expectation. It is fair to say the underlying intimidation is sufficient to achieve “compliance.” Mormon indoctrination is more humane in terms of threats, but every bit as sinister. Their indoctrination is more logical, despite there is no logic in their religion. They are story tellers and the story allows only one conclusion for young minds and this is common of all religions. Islam has their story, but adds intimidation. Mormonism has a more subtle intimidation. Catholicism is the leader, the originator or we might say provided the pattern for indoctrination. Their intimidation varies over history from outright torture and murder, and now in this day where there is little physical intimidation. They still demand the children go to Catholic schools, although without much enforcement many do not follow the directive. The most significant Catholic intimidation for any offense is excommunication. Slowly, but surely Catholicism fades away except where their mysticism still prevails in parts of the world.
So, what do we have? We have a world of Catholics who were coerced from an early age to believe something that is not the truth.
Protestants have their stories, but little physical intimidation, instead family / peer / and “belonging” pressure. Protestantism had a bad start in terms of accepting parts of Catholicism and creating something often quite different, but not true. They fall in the same place as all of the world’s religions – they change the word of God. They change it in ways that make sense to them and of course different people perform their own logic on God’s word and thus devise different doctrines. This is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the truth where there is no such thing as human filtering of God’s word.
The thing that sustains the religions of the world is a thing that one might believe would result in better understanding. We are talking about the religious teaching institutions of humankind. These institutions are destructive to souls because they invariably add to or take away from the scriptures. They may believe that the scriptures need some explanation and to some small extent that might be alright. There is a big difference between helping someone to understand and changing the word of God. The more serious problem with these religious “colleges” is that they are tied to groups that have their own “historical and untouchable” doctrines. Thus, there is a mix of God’s word and the writings of men and women perpetually being analyzed and modified. It is no wonder that the world is confused by religion and all the differences. In truth, THE TRUTH is very singular, but not very desirable and for different reasons for different people. God is looking for those who love Him enough to overcome their objections to His word. Every person who loves the truth more than what they currently believe can succeed. As you might imagine there will be few who find eternal life, exactly as Jesus indicated.
The Seriousness of Being a Liar is That ALL LIARS – Not Some Will Receive the Second Death
Revelation 21.8
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Those who receive the second death have failed in life. Humankind wants to qualify everything as to degree, but God is clear “All Liars.” We just mentioned in the previous section how people do like the scriptures and create their own version of truth – i.e. a lie. We suggested that this is why there is no consistency in the religions of the world among those who follow the bible. This is not God’s fault. Yet there are some who respect God to the point of taking what He has delivered and not changing it even it is a problem for them. In this sense the world can look at Christianity as unified, as not confusing, albeit only being exhibited by a few. In other words, the issue is not any problem with what God delivered, but with those who do not follow God’s word as directed.
The first death is the one every person endures, except those alive when Christ returns. At the time of your death the body and spirit separate, then follows the judgment (Hebrews 9.17). The judgment follows Christ’s return when He takes those who are His from the graves and who are alive to be with Him forever. The second death eternally removes the spirit of a person from any connection with God. During their life they may not of had a relationship with God, but they had the possibility of such a relationship. Now, there is no hope and never will be. The perpetual loss of this relationship with God cannot be expressed in words, but God describes it for us in physical terms as the worst one can imagine of suffering and pain. We live in the creation of God and He is everywhere even if we do not acknowledge Him. Suddenly, you are separated from any potential relationship with God. There is no hope and the devastation will never leave you. I do not fully understand it and I certainly never want to experience it. Heaven Coach is here to help you avoid this unspeakable loss.
From the beginning in Genesis we learn that God is pleased by obedience. Adam and Eve understood what God told them in relation to the tree in the midst of the garden. They believed God, but the test would be if their actions supported that belief. Today people teach that they are saved by believing in Jesus, but it is not a mental belief in Jesus, but what they do that demonstrates that belief. Hebrews defines faith in terms of the belief in God to the point of obedience. One familiar example given is that of Abraham who believed God and demonstrated it by bringing Isaac to the “altar” to take his life. This was extremely difficult for it was his son and the son of promise upon which the blessing that would flow through his seed. God is clear throughout the scriptures about the relation of obedience to pleasing Him and never a mental acceptance alone.
Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God is necessary, but failing to obey His will translates to ultimately “losing eternal life.” Matthew 7.21 clarifies the need to obey. Jesus said you need to lose your life to save it in Mark 8.35,36. Hebrews 5.9 makes it clear that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. Who obeys Him? It is those who believed in Him.
The idea of having a relationship with God is well beyond a claim to know Jesus or to be saved by Him, but means that you keep His commands – otherwise YOU ARE A LIAR. So, something close to 99.9% of the so-called Christians claim a relationship with Jesus, but do not keep His commands. They do not even do what He says you must do to have your past sins forgiven.
1 John 2.4
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
God summarizes the faith of Abraham and you need to think of yourself (if you want to succeed) as doing as Abraham did in relation to God’s commands.
Genesis 26.4,5
4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;
5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
God rewarded Abraham because he obeyed (Hebrews 11.4 and 11.8-10). He rejected Adam and Eve because they disobeyed. When a person claims to have a relationship with Jesus, but fails to keep His commands they are lying. They may not see it that way, but what matters is what God, who cannot lie (Titus 1.2) says in His word. 2 John 1.9 makes this clear.
2 John 1.9
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
It is hard to believe people are so casual regarding their eternity. The reason might be they do not believe in God or eternity, a next life. They are casual, uninterested, but usually pride plays a big part and their focus is solely on themselves and their success in this life. God knows this characteristic and Jesus indicated how the exaltation of themselves in life now (at the end of their life) has them “forcibly humbled” in disgrace for eternity.
Matthew 23.12
12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
God brings clarity to everything for those who want the truth. As the world overwhelms people with lies, the truth is still there and to be most highly valued. If you want you can see through the veil of lies, it will astonish. The gap between truth and error is so massive that it becomes incomprehensible. The world of religious lies is utterly devastating to the soul. A person believes they have God and look forward to a secure next life, but instead of following the things of God, they believe in and participate in the inventions of humankind. Those things bring no eternal rest, but the opposite. Those lies usually bring a certain casual attitude toward God. Instead of the very serious and devoted attitude one needs to live their life for Christ and the gospel they are very spontaneous and “come what may.”
The Lies Are So Enormous That They Are Believed
Lies Built On Lies Can Overwhelm People
We Believe Something Because So Many Believe It
If you consider that Catholicism, Protestantism, Mormonism, Islam, Buddhism and all the rest of humankind’s religions are a lie then when the truth “comes along” it might also seem to be a lie. God did not leave this mess, but men and women created the deceit. It is overwhelming to realize all these religions are preparing people for certain failure. When it comes to those who hold the scriptures to be from God and have “membership” in one of the above groups referred to as Christian their problems are all the same. Namely, they do not take seriously the word of God. They are all experts at adding to and taking away from God’s word. Once you have such liberality with God’s word it becomes easier and easier to invent, suppose, interpret privately, and lie builds upon lie and finally it becomes ridiculous, yet still accepted. This for instance, is Catholicism. Every basic principle from God is violated. Catholicism is the perfect storm of evil as it has and continues to destroy the souls of billions of people.
How Important Is the Truth?
We see that liars will not succeed in life. Just as powerful is the emphasis on the truth. This would be expected. Jesus is the center of God’s plan for salvation and so is the truth. In fact, Jesus says He is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. You cannot disconnect Jesus from the truth, from obedience. Jesus told the apostles He would send the Spirit to guide them into all truth (John 16.13). Jesus was going to open the door to reconciliation. However, without the truth people could not take advantage of what Jesus accomplished. His suffering and death would be in vain. So, after His death, before He went to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, Jesus told the apostles to expect what He had earlier promised.
Acts 1.4
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me
The plan of God would divide those who would succeed from those who would fail on the basis of the truth. There are certain developed characteristics in people that make the truth important to them or unimportant. Some of those characteristics in people who reject or do not care about truth are pride and another is selfishness, and in general they love the things God designated as sin. These people have no love of the truth and without that they live and die without any hope of eternal life. If there is no love of the truth, then the scriptures explain there is no salvation.
2 Thessalonians 2.10
10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
If one says it is not necessary to love the truth to be saved, it would be a lie. This is a lie that discounts you from heaven because you need the truth to be saved. The lies you tell, the sins you commit can be forgiven, but that forgiveness comes from obeying the truth. It is easy to see the lack of concern in the world about truth.
God cannot be fooled, and requires repentance, which is a commitment to not sin again and in this case not lie again. He knows your heart and you will not be forgiven if it is not your pure intention to forego lying. Lying is something used to fool someone, mislead someone and part of the repentance should be correcting the lie and the damage it has done. Simon, who was a sorcerer, but converted (past sins forgiven) and then sinned was told to repent and pray God that the thought of his heart might be forgiven.
Acts 8.22
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
These are not casual or trivial matters, but all sin is serious and will keep you from heaven.
God defines sin and if we die in our sins we will be lost. Sin plays an important role in keeping us from the truth inasmuch as it opposes God and we can easily be overcome. As we fill our life with a sin or many sins the truth seems unimportant and eventually we do not care.
Politics, the media, business, getting ahead in life are frequently associated with lies and strangely it is common knowledge. There is a lot of effort to hide this behavior. Much of the deceit is called half-truths (actually lies), which are worse because they can fool a person into believing all is fine. Many are headed for a failed life because sin is keeping them from finding the truth – their choice. Of course, they did not realize sin was the thing standing in the way of truth. They fool themselves and finally their life passes, and they might think, “I never knew the truth” – why is this? Because in your life containing sin, your interest was to build up treasures during your earthly existence. More than likely you never believed there might actually be TRUTH. Indeed, the courage to do the right things is needed NOW while you are alive.
Appearances versus the Truth
Religions of the world put on great shows. Their business is truly “show business.” Their promoters are entertainers and very choreographed. On one hand you have Catholics and maybe Lutherans and others who try to have solemn entertainment with all sorts of costumes and choirs and musical instruments and special rituals. They claim they follow the scriptures, but as always it is their version of the scriptures. On the other hand, many denominations with provide entertainment spectaculars with laser lighting, bands and singers and various men or women giving their version of the truth. They may not say the motive is money, but that is what they do – make lots of money. Obviously, what they do works in terms of making money, unfortunately the cost is all the souls who participate. BECAUSE they are not teaching what people need. One clue for people wanting truth is all the nonsensical worship – inconsistent with the word of God. They do not take seriously the word of God. Truth lovers see through the silliness and the twisting of scripture. These religions so-called, qualify as liars. The pattern of self-indulgence is consistent, and the groups may be very different in their mode of operation, but all abuse the word of God. Some are not as silly in their worship, maybe more solemn, but nonetheless the end is the same for souls.
The choice every person makes is between truth and error – error involves lies. Error involves respecting that which was created (humankind) more than God (Creator).
Romans 1.25
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.
As a Result of All the Deception, the Next Existence Is Not Understood and the Things Taught Are Very Far From the Truth
Essentially, everything we might think is important about the next life is nonsense. Unless of course, you see things as as God sees them via His word. In the next existence you should not expect the answers to all the questions the world has wondered about. Who were really the innocent and who were the guilty? It will not matter or even be known the things you accomplished or your disappointments. Those things will not matter. The positions you held, or your wealth or poverty are of no interest or concern. Why, because they are all gone. There is absolutely no joy in being lost. The only thing of importance was the same thing that was truly important in your life, namely your soul. As suggested, in loss there will be regret of unimaginable proportions. God does not want the proud. Few will recognize that it is their pride that holds them back from seeking God and truth. They might think or say, “God needs to see things my way, if not then He is not God.” Humanity continually seeks to get all they can and if they do, they will be concerned about keeping it. The following parable of Jesus defines the people of every period of history as they believe this life is all there is and seek to sit back and “eat, drink and be merry.”
Luke 12.16-21
16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’
18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’
20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Repeatedly, the scriptures teach that life is about the soul and that is where your focus needs to be because like the rich fool of this parable you do not know when your soul will be required. It would seem a lot of the lies are things WE TELL OURSELVES and they may harm us in the present and certainly into eternity.
The truth is that there is no real joy, no real happiness in self-seeking. There are times of brief happiness – maybe. Then the next thing comes along and there are a new set of problems. The closest thing on earth to true happiness is the truth. That is, a knowledge of God, God’s purpose and His plan. Then you know how you fit into the picture. Then even in tough times, maybe suffering there is still consolation and a forward looking in hope to eternal life. One of the hardest things about possessing the truth is to see the rejection of God everywhere, especially in teaching error and its devastating consequence. Actually, there is little detail about the next life, but at a high level there is a separation along the lines of sin and sin forgiven. Here are a few examples of the detail that we can understand and be confident.
Revelation 21.4
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed
God compares the earthly reality with heaven and the typical problems of our current existence are gone.
On the other side of the coin, being lost brings the wrath of God and the specifics are discussed as something to be avoided. A worse end would be difficult to imagine. Those descriptions are made by God in human (physical) terms, so the seriousness of lying/deceit can be understood.
Romans 1.18-20
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse
Lying Is Terribly Underestimated As To Its Cost
There are many fine people living, sacrificing their lives for what they believe religiously. In the end if what they believe despite all the apparent good they do is not of the truth, then they will suffer failure and eternal loss. There is no way for Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Mormons and all the rest to succeed in life because they are without God. They have been lied to and generally carry those lies to others. There will be cases where otherwise good people with apparent good hearts will suffer eternal failure. They discover that they were victims of men and/or women’s “religious” inventions. What were they missing? I do not know, but certainly a love of the truth and the courage to move away from what they currently believe are factors. Nonetheless, it is easy to see the seriousness of lies as they produce an eternally bad result.
There are all sorts of lies in the world over an endless number of things – it is pathetic and such people will suffer eternal loss and there will undoubtedly be many other things (sins) in their lives that are problematic. In the process of an “immoral” life they never “stop” to realize there is much more to life – that is, God and truth. There needs to be a stern warning for those who accept the existence of God and then go on to accept just about anything religious. There is quite a serious effort required to find God and that is exactly why a person needs a love of the truth.
Lies keep people from succeeding that is, achieving God’s PURPOSE FOR THEM. Indeed, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Jesus warned that the blind lead the blind and both fall into the pit. It requires more than your good intentions; your success requires the truth and obedience to it. There are a world of people who claim allegiance with Jesus, but the test is keeping His commands and not what someone says are His commands or suggests “God’s love” will overlook your rejection of His requirements.
1 John 2.4
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
We judge people as “good” by their character, their sacrifice, maybe kindness, but God is their judge for what is most important – their eternity. Lies destroy an otherwise “good” person and it often originates by indoctrination and specifically into some man-made religion. The person will fail despite their apparent “goodness.” As is normally the case, these “good people” now promote the lie and due to their apparent good character, they are very convincing.
The world has always promoted immorality, and lying is usually in some way involved. There was a time when the news media was frequently believable. Today the closest you can get to the truth from the news media is a half-truth, which is a lie. The truth is indeed rare in education, entertainment, religion and of course in politics. The leaders in each of these areas are the problems that is, via their prejudice or we might say their often-hidden agendas. Also, there is a great deal of pressure to conform to the the expectations of the world. God makes the distinction very dramatically between loving Him and the loving the world. The distinction is truth versus error and like all things from God the truth will come to pass EXACTLY as He states.
1 John 3.15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
The world does not like the truth, but promotes their philosophy in the news media, in the education system, in the world of entertainment, and as always in the worlds of politics and religion. Lying has become a way of life in families, in jobs and wherever one can gain an advantage. Who can a person look up to as a model that will not lie despite the cost. Do not look for such a person because you already have one in Jesus, so put your trust in Him. He is the model in His obedience to the Father, in His sacrifice for you and will be the one who judges.
Hebrews 5.8,9
8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
The Innocent Lie or the Little White Lie
The bible does not recognize lying has a hierarchy of seriousness. Some lies are indeed more damaging than others. However, in reality we do not know the damage a lie may cause. Certainly some “innocent” lies have caused great problems. God makes this easy for each person by condemning all lies – don’t lie. It takes a tremendous amount of self-control and awareness to be careful in providing accurate statements. Lying is a habitual problem and NOT LYING needs to become habitual.
A person teaches someone about Christ, but does not teach the doctrine of Christ and the person never has a relationship with Christ. They may think they do, but they do not. This teaching “you” provided is likely not thought of in terms of being a lie or even possibly being a lie. The seriousness of teaching inaccurately has damaged the one you taught and yourself. Actually, the lies in the area of spiritual things are the most serious because error destroys souls. To stand and teach the gospel message is like standing in the position of God and speaking for Him by being consistent with His word. This is why the scriptures teach in 1 Peter 4.11, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” Can you understand the gravity of opposing God, destroying His purpose for humankind and essentially making a mockery of His Son? It is likely that one preaching Jesus has no intention of mocking Jesus, but this is the result of teaching differently than what God so accurately delivered. There are no little or innocent lies, but you can get a world of people who accept these categories of lies and label them harmless or you can look at God’s word and realize “ALL LIARS.”
So, what do we have? We have a world of Catholics who were coerced from an early age to believe something that is not the truth.
Protestants have their stories, but little physical intimidation, instead family / peer / and “belonging” pressure. Protestantism had a bad start in terms of accepting parts of Catholicism and creating something often quite different, but not true. They fall in the same place as all of the world’s religions – they change the word of God. They change it in ways that make sense to them and of course different people perform their own logic on God’s word and thus devise different doctrines. This is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the truth where there is no such thing as human filtering of God’s word.
The thing that sustains the religions of the world is a thing that one might believe would result in better understanding. We are talking about the religious teaching institutions of humankind. These institutions are destructive to souls because they invariably add to or take away from the scriptures. They may believe that the scriptures need some explanation and to some small extent that might be alright. There is a big difference between helping someone to understand and changing the word of God. The more serious problem with these religious “colleges” is that they are tied to groups that have their own “historical and untouchable” doctrines. Thus, there is a mix of God’s word and the writings of men and women perpetually being analyzed and modified. It is no wonder that the world is confused by religion and all the differences. In truth, THE TRUTH is very singular, but not very desirable and for different reasons for different people. God is looking for those who love Him enough to overcome their objections to His word. Every person who loves the truth more than what they currently believe can succeed. As you might imagine there will be few who find eternal life, exactly as Jesus indicated.
From the beginning in Genesis we learn that God is pleased by obedience. Adam and Eve understood what God told them in relation to the tree in the midst of the garden. They believed God, but the test would be if their actions supported that belief. Today people teach that they are saved by believing in Jesus, but it is not a mental belief in Jesus, but what they do that demonstrates that belief. Hebrews defines faith in terms of the belief in God to the point of obedience. One familiar example given is that of Abraham who believed God and demonstrated it by bringing Isaac to the “altar” to take his life. This was extremely difficult for it was his son and the son of promise upon which the blessing that would flow through his seed. God is clear throughout the scriptures about the relation of obedience to pleasing Him and never a mental acceptance alone.
Recognizing Jesus as the Son of God is necessary, but failing to obey His will translates to ultimately “losing eternal life.” Matthew 7.21 clarifies the need to obey. Jesus said you need to lose your life to save it in Mark 8.35,36. Hebrews 5.9 makes it clear that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. Who obeys Him? It is those who believed in Him.
The idea of having a relationship with God is well beyond a claim to know Jesus or to be saved by Him, but means that you keep His commands – otherwise YOU ARE A LIAR. So, something close to 99.9% of the so-called Christians claim a relationship with Jesus, but do not keep His commands. They do not even do what He says you must do to have your past sins forgiven.
God summarizes the faith of Abraham and you need to think of yourself (if you want to succeed) as doing as Abraham did in relation to God’s commands.
5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
It is hard to believe people are so casual regarding their eternity. The reason might be they do not believe in God or eternity, a next life. They are casual, uninterested, but usually pride plays a big part and their focus is solely on themselves and their success in this life. God knows this characteristic and Jesus indicated how the exaltation of themselves in life now (at the end of their life) has them “forcibly humbled” in disgrace for eternity.
God brings clarity to everything for those who want the truth. As the world overwhelms people with lies, the truth is still there and to be most highly valued. If you want you can see through the veil of lies, it will astonish. The gap between truth and error is so massive that it becomes incomprehensible. The world of religious lies is utterly devastating to the soul. A person believes they have God and look forward to a secure next life, but instead of following the things of God, they believe in and participate in the inventions of humankind. Those things bring no eternal rest, but the opposite. Those lies usually bring a certain casual attitude toward God. Instead of the very serious and devoted attitude one needs to live their life for Christ and the gospel they are very spontaneous and “come what may.”
Lies Built On Lies Can Overwhelm People
We Believe Something Because So Many Believe It
The plan of God would divide those who would succeed from those who would fail on the basis of the truth. There are certain developed characteristics in people that make the truth important to them or unimportant. Some of those characteristics in people who reject or do not care about truth are pride and another is selfishness, and in general they love the things God designated as sin. These people have no love of the truth and without that they live and die without any hope of eternal life. If there is no love of the truth, then the scriptures explain there is no salvation.
If one says it is not necessary to love the truth to be saved, it would be a lie. This is a lie that discounts you from heaven because you need the truth to be saved. The lies you tell, the sins you commit can be forgiven, but that forgiveness comes from obeying the truth. It is easy to see the lack of concern in the world about truth.
God cannot be fooled, and requires repentance, which is a commitment to not sin again and in this case not lie again. He knows your heart and you will not be forgiven if it is not your pure intention to forego lying. Lying is something used to fool someone, mislead someone and part of the repentance should be correcting the lie and the damage it has done. Simon, who was a sorcerer, but converted (past sins forgiven) and then sinned was told to repent and pray God that the thought of his heart might be forgiven.
These are not casual or trivial matters, but all sin is serious and will keep you from heaven.
Politics, the media, business, getting ahead in life are frequently associated with lies and strangely it is common knowledge. There is a lot of effort to hide this behavior. Much of the deceit is called half-truths (actually lies), which are worse because they can fool a person into believing all is fine. Many are headed for a failed life because sin is keeping them from finding the truth – their choice. Of course, they did not realize sin was the thing standing in the way of truth. They fool themselves and finally their life passes, and they might think, “I never knew the truth” – why is this? Because in your life containing sin, your interest was to build up treasures during your earthly existence. More than likely you never believed there might actually be TRUTH. Indeed, the courage to do the right things is needed NOW while you are alive.
The choice every person makes is between truth and error – error involves lies. Error involves respecting that which was created (humankind) more than God (Creator).
17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’
18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’
20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Repeatedly, the scriptures teach that life is about the soul and that is where your focus needs to be because like the rich fool of this parable you do not know when your soul will be required. It would seem a lot of the lies are things WE TELL OURSELVES and they may harm us in the present and certainly into eternity.
God compares the earthly reality with heaven and the typical problems of our current existence are gone.
On the other side of the coin, being lost brings the wrath of God and the specifics are discussed as something to be avoided. A worse end would be difficult to imagine. Those descriptions are made by God in human (physical) terms, so the seriousness of lying/deceit can be understood.
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse
There are all sorts of lies in the world over an endless number of things – it is pathetic and such people will suffer eternal loss and there will undoubtedly be many other things (sins) in their lives that are problematic. In the process of an “immoral” life they never “stop” to realize there is much more to life – that is, God and truth. There needs to be a stern warning for those who accept the existence of God and then go on to accept just about anything religious. There is quite a serious effort required to find God and that is exactly why a person needs a love of the truth.
We judge people as “good” by their character, their sacrifice, maybe kindness, but God is their judge for what is most important – their eternity. Lies destroy an otherwise “good” person and it often originates by indoctrination and specifically into some man-made religion. The person will fail despite their apparent “goodness.” As is normally the case, these “good people” now promote the lie and due to their apparent good character, they are very convincing.
The world has always promoted immorality, and lying is usually in some way involved. There was a time when the news media was frequently believable. Today the closest you can get to the truth from the news media is a half-truth, which is a lie. The truth is indeed rare in education, entertainment, religion and of course in politics. The leaders in each of these areas are the problems that is, via their prejudice or we might say their often-hidden agendas. Also, there is a great deal of pressure to conform to the the expectations of the world. God makes the distinction very dramatically between loving Him and the loving the world. The distinction is truth versus error and like all things from God the truth will come to pass EXACTLY as He states.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
A person teaches someone about Christ, but does not teach the doctrine of Christ and the person never has a relationship with Christ. They may think they do, but they do not. This teaching “you” provided is likely not thought of in terms of being a lie or even possibly being a lie. The seriousness of teaching inaccurately has damaged the one you taught and yourself. Actually, the lies in the area of spiritual things are the most serious because error destroys souls. To stand and teach the gospel message is like standing in the position of God and speaking for Him by being consistent with His word. This is why the scriptures teach in 1 Peter 4.11, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” Can you understand the gravity of opposing God, destroying His purpose for humankind and essentially making a mockery of His Son? It is likely that one preaching Jesus has no intention of mocking Jesus, but this is the result of teaching differently than what God so accurately delivered. There are no little or innocent lies, but you can get a world of people who accept these categories of lies and label them harmless or you can look at God’s word and realize “ALL LIARS.”
