Articles
Lies and Deception
Why Lie?
When the apostle Paul wrote to Titus (whom he had left in Crete), concerning the qualifications of an elder, he emphasized the importance of the office because “there are many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons. This testimony is true” (Titus 1:10-13): “This character of the Cretans is abundantly sustained by the examples adduced by Wetstein. To be a Cretan, became synonymous with being a liar, in the same way as to be a Corinthian, became synonymous with living a licentious life” (Albert Barnes): as was testified by “One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons” (ibid).
When addressing the evangelist Timothy, he warned him saying, “But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).
Unto the Corinthians, Paul said, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, (2 Cor. 11:3) as the scriptures affirm, when Jehovah brought Eve’s error to light, saying, “What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, the serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” (Gen. 3:13).
Peter warned his reader about false prophets who “in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you” (2 Pet. 2:3). Merchandise: “denotes "commerce, business, trade” (Vine’s).
Job testified, saying, “If like Adam I have covered my transgressions, By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom, Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence, and went not out of the door--” (Job 31:33-34).
Abraham, who out of fear for his life, said unto Sarah, “Say (to Pharaoh), I pray thee, thou art my sister; that it may be well with me for thy sake, and that my soul may live because of thee” (Gen. 12:13).
Last, but not least, were Ananias and Sapphira, when Peter said, “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:1-11)
Lies have purpose:
- Protect – Self, or someone else.
- Gain – For the purpose of personal benefit.
- Cover – To avoid contempt of families, or others.
Which of these three motivated the actions of the above-mentioned examples?
Prov. 6:16-19 — therefore — Col. 3:4
- Lies_and_deceptions.pdf (110.98 kB)
