The Bondage of Lying

The Bondage of Lying

The Bible is clear that lying is a sin and is particularly a sin that is sorely displeasing to God; as he is the author of Truth, and cannot lie. 

Of course, the first sin in this world involved a big lie told to Eve, by the Biggest Liar of all time. Satan is cast in the Bible as the “father of lies” in that he is the original liar. Koi

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

As the “father of lies,” Lying is Satan’s primary weapon against God and against his children. He uses the tactic of deceit to separate people from their heavenly Father. 

Some of his more common lies are “there is no God,” “God doesn’t care about you,” “the Bible cannot be trusted,” and “your good works alone will get you into heaven.”

Satan has told more lies to more people than any other being ever created. His ultimate success of deception depends on people believing his lies. He has used everything from “little white lies” to huge, pants-on-fire whoppers to deceive folks. 

Adolph Hitler, a man who practiced the art of how to lie effectively, once said, “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” 

Unfortunately, this axiom has proven to be factual  because we all live in a world where lying comes second nature to us. And the more a society condones lying, the more the Truth is perceived as an enemy! And the more a liar, lies, the more he becomes indifferent to the truth, and bound up in Lying. 

On the other hand, Jesus called Himself the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and He expects those who follow Him to be people of truth.

The Truth always brings light to everything, whereas lying always creates an environment of Bondage! 

The Bible nowhere presents an instance where lying is considered to be the right thing to do. The ninth commandment prohibits bearing false witness. In fact  “A lying tongue” and “a false witness” are two of the seven abominations to the Lord.

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19. A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Lying is the worst thing a person can engage in. It leads to self delusion. A lie is in effect, a discontinuity in reality, a fabrication isolated from real-world causes and effects. 

Even the simplest, most innocent lie can lead to the creation of a supporting web of lies, which then necessitate their own supporting lies. And soon enough we've spun an actual web of endless fictions.

“Lying “is in reality both a failure of understanding and an unwillingness to be held accountable. The first principle of lying is that you must not fool yourself , and yet you are the easiest person to fool. 

Thus, all liars end up lying to themselves, and as such, become too prideful to ever acknowledge that fact, thereby ensnaring their very life and soul in their own self delusion.  

Once a liar, always a liar, we’ve all heard that old saying. It turns out that there’s actually some scientific truth to that saying. Researchers have tracked down how the brain makes lying easier as our untruths build up, providing some biological evidence for why small lies often balloon into ever larger ones.

Lies beget more lies; and once you start lying you have to keep lying more and more to hide the lies that you have already told. The practice of perpetual lying ultimately leads to the searing of the conscience!

(this is the reason that people of self importance; such as politicians resort to lying, as their pride before men is all important to them) (And the more a society condones lying leaders, the less lying is viewed as a vice, but is viewed as being progressive)

Mankind is not naturally honest. Since we all live in a world of Dishonesty, we all too often get absorbed by the way the world rewards deception. Lying can often bring financial gain, power, or temporary satisfaction. But the rewards come at a price. 

Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness.

Dishonesty leads to more and more wickedness. Lying to fulfill worldly desires ultimately results in the loss of everything a person truly needs, integrity, hope, honor,  respect, morals, grace, and ultimately can include the loss of his very soul. 

In the end analysis, Hell’s inhabitants will include “all liars” (Revelation 21:8). So the nature of lying leads to Bondage! And the Bondage of Lying leads to Judgement and Hell, and being incarcerated with the Father of Lies!

But there is a better way! There is the “Way of Truth.” Jesus Christ is that Way! Knowing the Truth can truly set one free from Lying, and from the bondage of the Father of Lies. 

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Oh how great it feels to be free of the bondage of lies! The truth not only sets one free, it is eternal, unchanging, and separates us from the nature of arrogance and pride. 

A parallel virtue of all truth tellers is personal humility. People of truth don’t need to exalt themselves in the eyes of fickle men. 

Proverbs 12:19-22  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy. 21. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

People of Truth are much more concerned about their accountability before God, than their standing before men, or what the powers of this world can offer them by exchanging the Truth for the lies of this world. 

Ephesians 4:23-25 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

In accepting the Way (Jesus) and the Truth of God, we cast aside the bondage of sinful nature! We become new creatures in Christ, with a renewed mind for the Freedom that comes from the truth! 

Colossians 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Honesty as a character quality is a sign of the Spirit’s work in a person’s soul. God cannot lie; therefore, His presence within a person gives rise to personal humility and truthfulness. 

Whereas the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the ancient Garden of Eden; offered mankind the Freewill to choose to believe the Truths of God as opposed to the Lies of Satan; we are all still yet availed the knowledge of the Truth, and the freedom that comes from the Bondage of Lying! 

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

by: Darrell G. Young

October 2020