7 Things God Hates - Message 2 – A Lying Tongue
The primary focus of our discussion today is the profound abhorrence that God holds towards the sin of lying, encapsulated by the notion of the "lying tongue." This episode delves into the ramifications of deceit, emphasizing that God, being the embodiment of truth, cannot condone falsehood in any form. We explore the ways in which dishonesty not only undermines trust and integrity but also aligns individuals with the adversarial forces that propagate deceit. Through biblical examples, we illustrate the severe consequences of lying, demonstrating that it is not merely a transgression but a catalyst for destruction in relationships and communities. Ultimately, we call upon our listeners to embrace honesty as a divine imperative, fostering a commitment to truthfulness in all aspects of life.
The dialogue presents a compelling examination of the moral implications associated with dishonesty, particularly focusing on the concept of a lying tongue. The speaker articulates that dishonesty is not an innocent flaw, but rather a serious transgression that has far-reaching consequences. Drawing from scriptural wisdom, the speaker emphasizes that such deceit fundamentally opposes God's nature as a deity of truth, thus inviting divine wrath upon those who engage in it. The speaker underscores the critical importance of truthfulness, asserting that lies are not merely misguided statements, but rather calculated acts of deception that can devastate relationships and erode trust.
To substantiate these claims, the speaker recounts notable biblical accounts, such as the tragic downfall of Ananias and Sapphira and the deception of Jacob, illustrating the grave repercussions that arise from dishonesty. These narratives serve as cautionary tales, reinforcing the notion that God takes lying with utmost seriousness, as it can lead to spiritual and social disarray. The speaker encourages the audience to reflect on their own experiences with dishonesty and to recognize that lies can become ingrained habits that ultimately harm oneself and others.
In addressing the path toward redemption, the speaker advocates for a return to truthfulness through introspection and accountability. By referencing Ephesians 4:15, the discussion highlights the necessity of speaking the truth in love, promoting a paradigm where honesty is coupled with compassion. The speaker provides practical steps for cultivating a truthful disposition, urging the audience to guard their speech and evaluate their intentions before communicating. In conclusion, the dialogue calls for a collective commitment to embodying integrity and truthfulness, framing it as a divine calling essential for personal growth and community well-being.
Takeaways:
- The episode emphasizes that lying is not merely a falsehood but a deliberate act of deceit and manipulation that undermines trust and integrity.
- God detests lying because it contradicts His nature as the embodiment of truth, leading individuals away from a righteous path.
- The consequences of lies can be severe, as illustrated by biblical examples such as Ananias and Sapphira, whose dishonesty led to their demise.
- To overcome a lying tongue, one must commit to speaking the truth in love, reflecting honesty in all interactions with others.
- Lying damages relationships and fosters division, highlighting the importance of honesty in maintaining social harmony and trust.
- We are encouraged to reflect on our own honesty, acknowledging struggles and seeking to align our speech with God's truth.
Transcript
You belong to your father, the devil.
Speaker A:When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Speaker A:John 8, verse 44.
Speaker A:Welcome back, brothers and sisters.
Speaker A:Last week we tackled the sin of pride.
Speaker A:In our sermon series, the Seven Things God Hates, we tackle the sin of pride.
Speaker A:Those haughty eyes that make you think you're God's gift to the world.
Speaker A:Today we're moving to the second thing that God hates.
Speaker A:A lying tongue.
Speaker A:Now, let's get something straight.
Speaker A:This isn't about white lies.
Speaker A:Like when someone asks, does this outfit make me look fat?
Speaker A:And you smile nervously and say, no, you look great.
Speaker A:This is about a lifestyle of deceit, dishonesty, and manipulation.
Speaker A:God despises lying because he is a God of truth.
Speaker A:And lies destroy trust, relationships, and integrity.
Speaker A:Let me be blunt.
Speaker A:If your tongue is a weapon of mass deception, you're playing for the wrong team.
Speaker A:The Bible says Satan is the father of lies.
Speaker A:So every time you lie, you're speaking his native language.
Speaker A:Do you really want to be fluent in the devil's dialect?
Speaker A:Today we're going to be talking about the lying tongue.
Speaker A:Now, what is the nature of a lying tongue?
Speaker A:A lying tongue is more than just saying something untrue.
Speaker A:It's a deliberate act to mislead, manipulate, or harm others.
Speaker A:It's using your words to serve your selfish purposes rather than God's truth.
Speaker A:And there are examples in the Bible that we know about Ananias and Sapphira.
Speaker A:In Acts 5:1 11, they lied about the money they gave to the church, pretending to be more generous than they were.
Speaker A:And the result?
Speaker A:They dropped dead.
Speaker A:Yeah, God takes lying that seriously.
Speaker A:There was also Jacob's deception in Genesis 27.
Speaker A:Now, Jacob lied to his father Isaac, pretending to be his brother Esau.
Speaker A:His deceit caused years of family division and pain.
Speaker A:Lying isn't just a mistake.
Speaker A:It's a seed that grows into a tree of destruction.
Speaker A:Now, why does God hate lying?
Speaker A:Lying is completely opposite to God's nature.
Speaker A:God is truth, as we read in John 14:6.
Speaker A: is truth, as we Read in John: Speaker A:When you lie, you are aligning yourself with Satan, the enemy of truth.
Speaker A:There are some damages that lies cause one.
Speaker A:Lies destroy trust.
Speaker A:Trust takes years to build and seconds to break.
Speaker A:Lies cause division.
Speaker A:They drive wedges between friends, families, and even church members.
Speaker A:Lies invite judgment.
Speaker A:Proverbs 19:9 warns, A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will.
Speaker A:Will perish.
Speaker A:Let's unpack the spirit of deception behind every lie.
Speaker A:Is the spirit of deception, which is one of Satan's main tools.
Speaker A:Remember how he deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Speaker A:He twisted God's words, planting doubt and leading her to sin.
Speaker A:In Genesis 3:1 5, deception doesn't just hurt others, it poisons your own soul.
Speaker A:You start living a double life, pretending to be someone you're not.
Speaker A:And the worst part?
Speaker A:Lies have a way of catching up with you.
Speaker A:As the old saying goes, you can fool some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool God at any time.
Speaker A:How do we overcome a lying tongue?
Speaker A:We speak the truth in love.
Speaker A:Ephesians 4:15 says, instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head that is Christ.
Speaker A:Truth isn't just about facts.
Speaker A:It's about presenting those facts with love and grace.
Speaker A:We need to be honest with ourselves and God.
Speaker A:Psalm 51:6 says, yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb.
Speaker A:You taught me wisdom in the secret place.
Speaker A:Before you can be honest with others, you must be honest with yourself.
Speaker A:Admit your mistakes, confess your sins and seek God's forgiveness.
Speaker A:We also need to guard our words.
Speaker A: Proverbs: Speaker A:Before you speak, ask yourself, three Is it true?
Speaker A:Is it necessary?
Speaker A:Is it kind?
Speaker A:Let me tell you a story about a young boy who learned the hard way.
Speaker A:He was sitting in church next to his mother, and the preacher asked, who here has ever lied?
Speaker A:The boy proudly raised his hand.
Speaker A:His mother leaned over and whispered, put your hand down before lightning strikes us.
Speaker A:Both brothers and sisters, we've all lied at some point, but the goal is to let God transform us into people of truth.
Speaker A:Here are some questions for reflection.
Speaker A:1.
Speaker A:Are there areas in your life where you struggle to be truthful?
Speaker A:2.
Speaker A:Have you ever told a lie that caused harm to someone else?
Speaker A:How can you make it right?
Speaker A:3.
Speaker A:What steps can you take to ensure your words reflect God's truth?
Speaker A:Let us pray.
Speaker A:Lord, I confess that I have not always spoken the truth.
Speaker A:Forgive me for the lies I've told, the trust I have broken, and the harm I've caused.
Speaker A:Teach me to speak words that honor your and bring life to others.
Speaker A:Help me to live in your truth and reflect your light in all that I do.
Speaker A:In Jesus name, Amen.
Speaker A:Brothers and sisters, God calls us to be people of truth in a world full of lies.
Speaker A:Let's commit to realigning our tongues with his truth.
Speaker A:Next week, we'll tackle another.
Speaker A:Another heavy topic.
Speaker A:Hands that shed innocent blood.
Speaker A:Spoiler alert.
Speaker A:It's not just about murder.
Speaker A:See you then.
