Epidemic of Lying
Through the prophet Isaiah, God states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God…” (Isaiah 59:2). Sin and God simply do not mix. Not that God doesn’t give space for sin to be repented of – He does. But when sin is a way of life, certain characteristics develop as a result.
One of the main destroying forces that quickly develops is lying. “… your lips have spoken lies … they trust in empty words and speak lies … so truth fails … then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him…” (Isaiah 59:3-4, 15).
The mechanics behind this are simple. When a person (or nation) is separated from God by sin, they are more firmly under the influence of “the prince of the power of the air” – Satan. Satan and lying go hand in hand. Christ identified Satan as not having any truth in him and as the father of lies (John 8:44).
When God is rejected, and His people are separated by sin, lying becomes a dominant feature of society. This is not just in relation to lying about God and His very nature, but as Isaiah said, “Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words …” (Isaiah 32:7). The bottom line is lying causes the tearing down and destruction to people and the social structure.
The big take away from current events is that it is impossible to know the real truth behind all that is going on. Man clearly has, “… exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator …” (Romans 1:25).
Prophecy foretells of a time when there will be great pressure on God’s people to believe lies. When a lie is supported by great signs and wonders, it is powerful. “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). Christ also said many false prophets will rise up and deceive many (verse 11). Will any of us be in that number?
Satan has deceived the whole world by his lies. He began with Eve and has tracked through the generations ever since. His way of deception has never deviated. The world is held in his sway, but the Church of God stands against him. Thus the Church will become the increasing focus of his “tearing down and destroying” efforts.
The Apostle John indicates that it is possible for a member of the Church to be living deceitfully by lying to themselves. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). That deception is a lie to themselves. The armor that withstands the wiles of the devil is a Holy Spirit led and influenced mind. A humble, converted mind will be close to the source of truth. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (the separation of sin is removed). If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).
Now is not the time to allow our spiritual, mental condition to be influenced by the lies that unfortunately have become the bedrock of man’s systems.
“…If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Brian Orchard
