by: Denny

I chuckle as I remember a little jingle we said as kids when someone was caught in a lie, hence comes the title of this blog post. To that we also added, “Hanging on the telephone wire”, which makes no sense other than it rhymes. Lying isn’t listed specifically as one of the Ten Commandments by saying, “You shall not lie”, but that doesn’t make it any less serious of a sin than the others. Consider that the sins of murder, adultery, stealing, covetousness, and bearing false witness either involve or are attempted to be covered up by lying. People will lie to gain power, control, position, take advantage of others to profit themselves, and a whole host of other reasons. It amazes me how easy it is for some people to look you right in the eye or camera and knowingly lie to your face, thinking you won’t question or doubt what they’re saying. A perfect example is found in Acts 5:1-11 when a couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold some land. They kept back part of the proceeds for themselves and then gave the remainder to the church, but they lied saying that was the full amount they sold the land for. They thought nobody would know the difference. The amount given wasn’t the issue, it was as Peter boldly proclaimed, “Why have you conspired to lie to the Holy Spirit?” “You have not lied to men, but to God.” After hearing that they both fell down dead right then and there. We’ve all heard the expression, “Oh, that was just a little white lie.” Really, as opposed to what other color; black, blue, red, yellow, or green? A lie is a lie, there are no levels or degrees. A lie once told and not confessed, is a tree that grows where other lies nest, and birds of a feather do flock together. Listed among the six things the Lord hates in Proverbs 6:16-19, lying is mentioned twice. Revelation 21:8 says that all liars will have their eternal home in the Lake of Fire. I should qualify that the Bible is talking about a consistent conscious lifestyle of unrepented intentional lying, not the spur-of-the moment caught-off-guard lie such as when Peter denied three times that he knew Jesus or was one of His followers. The big difference is admitting the lie, repenting, asking for forgiveness, and making things right; not excusing it by giving it a color.

Scammers are a crafty breed of thieves, and they prey on unsuspecting gullible victims. They present or offer something desirable, appealing, or free such as: money, vacations, refunds, cars, prizes and whatever means they can use to draw you in. Through lying they try to earn your trust, so you’ll do whatever they ask. Once they gain your personal information they can steal your money, use your identity, and basically ruin your life. In this age of computers and digital technology scammers are having a “hay day”, and they can do it while sipping a latte in their pajamas. However, even though methods of scamming have evolved, Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 says, “There is nothing new under the sun, it has already been in ancient times before us.” The original scam took place in Genesis 3: 1-13 when Satan, the father of all liars, deceived Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. She gave some to her husband Adam who also participated freely. The scam was so subtle and began when Satan presented the question to Eve, “Did God say you can’t eat from every tree in the garden?” That was not what God said at all. They were allowed to eat from every tree except the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, or else they would die, and that’s what Eve replied. That was the point where Eve should’ve ended the conversation and walked away (or hung up the phone), but she didn’t. She lingered and listened as the devil weaved a web of lies and deceit that played on her emotions. It may have gone something like this: “You won’t die, God is holding something back from you because He doesn’t want you to be like Him.” “Come on, don’t you want to be like God?” “You know you do.” “Look how pretty and desirable the fruit is and how delicious it must taste.” “Just try one little bite, what harm can it do?” Tragically for all of us Eve believed the lie and the rest is history.

Not only did Adam and Eve sin by disobeying God and falling for the devil’s scam, but they were victims of the greatest identity theft ever perpetrated on mankind. They had lost their true identity when their relationship was broken with God due to sin, and there was no way to recover it. Likewise, so it has been with every person ever born from that day forward, but God had a plan to redeem mankind. He sent His only son, Jesus, who bought us back by shedding His own blood and dying on the cross willingly so we could recover our identity in God through Christ. The devil tried his best to stop Jesus with several temptations (scams) but failed as Jesus used the very written Word of God to defeat and expose him. These days many people base their identity on material possessions. They invest so much time and effort acquiring and maintaining a certain lifestyle. Who in their right mind wouldn’t jump at the chance to recover everything they lost especially if it was offered freely? I’m reminded of an incident that happened in the life of King David as recorded in 1 Samuel 30. He and his army were away at war from their home at Ziklag. When they returned, they found an enemy had come and burned and plundered the city and taken everyone captive. It says they all wept until they couldn’t weep anymore. David’s own men began to blame him for what happened, and he became distressed. The Bible says that David strengthened himself in the Lord and inquired from Him what to do. The Lord replied, “Pursue the enemy for you will surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” Over six hundred years before Jesus was born Isaiah prophesied that He would make atonement for all sins through His sacrifice by shedding His own blood. Hebrews 12:2 says, “That for the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross.” As He hung there taking our place, He knew completely what He was accomplishing in recovering all, and it brought Him great joy during the suffering. As He gave up His spirit the huge thick curtain in the temple blocking the way to the most holy place was torn in two from top to bottom. It had to have been an angel who did it, but more importantly it signified that we now have direct access to God, and our relationship and identity in Him was fully recovered. Sadly, too many people don’t realize that they have lost their spiritual identity, much less the need they have to recover it. If that’s you, Jesus still offers the opportunity for you to experience your real identity in God through Him, and it’s free for the asking. Just ask! As for the devil, he knows what Jesus accomplished at Calvary in defeating him as God stated way back in Genesis 3:15. The only power he has now is to lie and deceive and try to prevent people from knowing the truth and discovering their true identity. Someday that liar’s pants will be on fire as he is cast into the Lake of Fire along with all who have given themselves over to him by doing his will and rejecting Jesus Christ. Back in the 1960’s Lilly Tomlin appeared on the TV show “Laugh In” and did a child character called Edith Ann who sat in a huge rocking chair. Edith Ann told life from her perspective and always ended by saying, “And that’s the truth” then stuck out her tongue and made the sound we all remember. (search and watch video on YouTube) In ending I say Ditto and Amen.