1. 1 The Sin of Lying 91% of Americans regularly lie 63% men & 52% women to protect 40% have lied on job applications (The Day America Told the Truth, 1991)

2. 2 Christians are not immune to the temptation to lie Ephesians 4:25 Philippians 4:8

3. 3 What is Lying? Falsehood & deceptionFalsehood & deception “Conscious & intentional falsehood” (Thayer, 676)“Conscious & intentional falsehood” (Thayer, 676) “To deceive, or attempt to deceive, by a lie” (Moulton, 442), cf. Matt. 28:13, 15“To deceive, or attempt to deceive, by a lie” (Moulton, 442), cf. Matt. 28:13, 15 “A lie is a false statement deliberately presented as being true; something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression”“A lie is a false statement deliberately presented as being true; something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression”

4. 4 What is Lying? Whatever is NOT what it professes to beWhatever is NOT what it professes to be False impressions created to deceiveFalse impressions created to deceive Self-righteousness, Matt. 23:27-28Self-righteousness, Matt. 23:27-28 Hypocrisy, 1 Tim. 4:1-2 (Matt. 23:25)Hypocrisy, 1 Tim. 4:1-2 (Matt. 23:25) Wisdom & doctrines of men, Rom.1:25Wisdom & doctrines of men, Rom.1:25 Religious lies, Matt. 7:15; 2 Cor. 11:13Religious lies, Matt. 7:15; 2 Cor. 11:13

5. 5 What is Lying? Self-deception, Gal. 6:3Self-deception, Gal. 6:3 “I am without sin!” 1 Jno. 1:8“I am without sin!” 1 Jno. 1:8 “I know Jesus!” 1 Jno. 2:3-4 (Jas. 1: 22)“I know Jesus!” 1 Jno. 2:3-4 (Jas. 1: 22) “I am religious!” Jas. 1:26“I am religious!” Jas. 1:26 Need careful self-examination, 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4Need careful self-examination, 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4

6. 6 Why do People Lie? Fear, Matt. 26:69-74 (26:35)Fear, Matt. 26:69-74 (26:35) Of man, not God, Lk. 12:4-5Of man, not God, Lk. 12:4-5 To avoid responsibility, Lk. 14:18To avoid responsibility, Lk. 14:18 Excuse: “to avert displeasure by entreat, to beg pardon…”Excuse: “to avert displeasure by entreat, to beg pardon…” Excusing disobedience shows displeasure for God’s will (Lk. 14:16)Excusing disobedience shows displeasure for God’s will (Lk. 14:16)

7. 7 Why do People Lie? To hurt someone, Col. 3:8-9To hurt someone, Col. 3:8-9 Malice, intended to defame, destroyMalice, intended to defame, destroy Examples:Examples: Potiphar’s wife, Gen. 39:13-20Potiphar’s wife, Gen. 39:13-20 Against Jesus, Matt. 26:59-61Against Jesus, Matt. 26:59-61

8. 8 Why do People Lie? To get gain or gain an advantageTo get gain or gain an advantage Financial gain, Prov. 11:1 (Deut. 25:13-16)Financial gain, Prov. 11:1 (Deut. 25:13-16) Spiritual gain, 1 Tim. 6:5Spiritual gain, 1 Tim. 6:5 Reputation, honor, prestige…, Acts 5:1-9Reputation, honor, prestige…, Acts 5:1-9

9. 9 Why do People Lie? For the “greater good”For the “greater good” End justifies means, Rom. 3:8End justifies means, Rom. 3:8 God is good, Matt. 19:17God is good, Matt. 19:17 God defines what is “good”, Micah 6:8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 12:9; 16:19 (Jer. 4:22)God defines what is “good”, Micah 6:8; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 12:9; 16:19 (Jer. 4:22) No God-given reason for lyingNo God-given reason for lying

10. 10 The Outcome of All Liars God warns not to lie, 1 Pet. 3:10-11God warns not to lie, 1 Pet. 3:10-11 Lying is disgusting to God, Prov. 6: 16-17; 12:22Lying is disgusting to God, Prov. 6: 16-17; 12:22 God will punish all liars, Prov. 19:5, 9; Rev. 21:8 (21:27)God will punish all liars, Prov. 19:5, 9; Rev. 21:8 (21:27)

11. 11 Put Away Lying Recognize & resist, 1 Cor. 10:12Recognize & resist, 1 Cor. 10:12 Examine ourselves, careful to be honest in all things, Eph. 4:25; 2 Cor. 8:21Examine ourselves, careful to be honest in all things, Eph. 4:25; 2 Cor. 8:21 Ancient Jerusalem, Jer. 9:11 (Zech. 8:3)Ancient Jerusalem, Jer. 9:11 (Zech. 8:3) Kingdom: City of Truth, Zech. 8:16-17 (Eph. 4:25)Kingdom: City of Truth, Zech. 8:16-17 (Eph. 4:25)