The First Lie And The Worst Lie

SEARCHLIGHT 

Have you benefitted from telling lies? 

SCRIPTURE 

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  Genesis 3:1-5   NIV 

SPOTLIGHT 

There are many words and phrases used to describe people who lie. A very strong accusation is made when someone says, “You are barefaced liar.” Someone who continuously lies is described as telling “a pack of lies.” Children often say, “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” to describe another child caught telling a lie. People who easily and often lie are said to “lie through their teeth.” On a lighter note, do you know what happens to liars when they die? They lie still. 

Unfortunately, most people have lied at some time. For some people it is even a way of life. One news source reported these as some of the top lies people tell: 

1. I forgot, 
2. I’ll do it tomorrow, 
3. I am listening, 
4. I’m busy then,   
5. Nice to see you, 
6. Don’t know what happened there, 
7. I’ve got no money,  
8. I got stuck in traffic,      
9. I’m not very well, and 
10. I’m looking forward to seeing you. 

The first lie ever to be told was not by Adam and Eve but by the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Satan told them that eating the fruit of the Tree of Life would not bring harm to anyone. It would only be enjoyable and delightful. Adam and Eve swallowed that lie hook, line, and sinker. They believed that God did not really mean what He said. See Genesis 2:15-17.  Ever since, humans have been born with a sinful nature rather than a Godly one. Jesus commented about Satan lying: “...He [Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar, and the father of lies.” [John 8:44] 

The first lie was the greatest lie ever told. Satan deceived Adam and Eve to believe him instead of God. They made themselves little gods. This was the sin of all sins. Since making that decision, all humans have sinned and “missed the shining-greatness of God.” [Romans 3:23 NLV] It led to eternal death.  

When Jesus Christ was 40 days in the wilderness, Satan tried to deceive Jesus to follow him instead of God. Jesus did not fall, and Satan failed. The Bible says that in the last days before Jesus Christ returns, Satan will deceive many people who will end up deceiving many other people. [2 Timothy 3:13] 

The worst lie is the lie you tell yourself. This happens because your heart deceives you. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9,10, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ‘I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.’” NIV 

Lying to yourself is quite common. Any lie a person tells was first told to himself. That is what Eve did. She decided God was wrong about what He said. People often tell themselves these things: 

1. Trying this once won’t hurt me,       
2. Nobody will ever know,  
3. It’s not my fault,                               
4. What does it really matter if I look at…,   
5. I don’t need to forgive,  
6. He or she will get over it,  
7. Smoking isn’t that dangerous,  
8. I can drink and drive,  
9. Forgiveness is not possible, and 
10. I have some faults, but I am a good person. 

Mark it down that the worst lie can lead to a burst of lies. When you believe that your lie is just a small one or a white one, you are trying to convince yourself that your lie will not be costly and was necessary. The Psalmist David first deceived himself when he looked at Bathsheba in a very inappropriate way. He lied to himself by convincing himself it was alright. That led to a burst of lies which included killing Bathsheba’s husband. Many lies often follow one lie because you have to tell other lies to cover up the first one. Don’t forget that the serpent lied to Eve and Eve lied to Adam and Adam lied to God. 

A strong society is a truthful society. Healthy relationships are built on truth. Truth comes from trusting God. If you do not have trust in God, then you do not have truth. You cannot benefit from telling lies. The Bible says, “A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” [Proverbs 26:28] Always choose to live truthfully. Follow Jesus Christ who said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6]   

SOMETHING TO DO 

Here are some questions that will help you to avoid lying. Ask yourself the following: 

1. What could trigger me to lie?   
2. What are the consequences of telling a lie?   
3. What can I do to live a life of integrity?     

SOUL TIME PRAYER 

Heavenly Father, I know You cannot lie. [Titus 1:2] I want to be like You. As the Psalmist prayed, so do I, that You would “Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” [Psalm 120:2] AMEN!  

Tags: truth, testament, integrity, new