Bible Studies

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Deception
Laban foisted Leah on Jacob, and he changed Jacob’s wages “ten times”. Jacob manipulated Laban’s flocks, and Rachel hid Laban’s idols. Things were so bad that Jacob’s family had to flee in stealth. These thoroughly modern people got what they wanted through deception, which as we’ve seen, began in the Garden of Eden and continues uninterrupted until today. Lying is so thoroughly ingrained in our ways of social and business interaction that a movie was made about the difficulty of NOT lying for a whole 24 hours. (Liar, Liar 1997)
Why is deception and lying wrong, when it gets us what we want and smooths our path? “You can be assured that this car was never in an accident.” “All of these are valid tax deductions.” “Everything on my resumé checks out.” “I have a prior engagement on that day.” “I’m feeling sick and won’t be in today.” “My income is enough to cover the loan.” Everybody’s doing it and it seems that the wheels of commerce will turn whether we’re truthful or not, so what’s the problem? Take careful notice:
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. (Proverb 12:22)
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds. (Colossians 3:9)
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 2:16)

God detests lying because it is completely opposite to His character. A God of truth can not and will not coexist with lies, falsehoods, deception, fibs, prevarications, and shading of the truth. The book of John makes this aspect of God’s character clear:
The Father is truth
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
The Son is truth
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”” (John 14:6)
The Holy Spirit is truth
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…”(John 16:13)

If you’re not yet convinced this is important, look at the ETERNAL consequences. “But there shall by no means enter it (heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 21:27) Yes, telling the truth will sometimes make you worse off than lying, but that’s only temporary. Eternity is permanent.

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