INTRO:

The tongue, which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, all too quickly became an instrument of unrighteousness. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence around it to keep it from evil.

This commandment, with the possible exception of the tenth, is undoubtedly the most violated in the entire list. God takes the position that all men are liars. (Num. 23:19; Ps. 116:10; Rom. 3:4). This concept links all mankind with a rather undesirable personality -"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." (Jn. 8:44)

There are several kinds of lies but the most hideous are the ones that cast disparagement at another. The text expresses Gods hatred for this wicked action.

I. THE RANGE

B. Half truth - (Gen. 3:1-5; 12:10-20)

C. Exaggeration - (Acts 24:1-9)

D. Unfulfilled promises - (Gen. 29:18-26)

E. Hypocrisy - (Mk. 7:6-11)

II. REASONS FOR LIES

B. For profit (1 Kings 21:16) It is pitiable how biased persons deceive the public via the mass communications media. During a CBS documentary, for instance, the camera focused on a pitiful Negro infant who was nothing more than skin and bones. It came out later that this little child, instead of being a victim of malnutrition, was born to a healthy, well nourished mother. It was born prematurely, however, and weighed only 2 pounds, 12 ounces at birth. The baby died within five days after birth as a consequence of its prematurity. But millions of viewers were led to believe that malnutrition was the cause of the child's condition.

C. Jealously - (Gen. 37)

D. Bitterness or revenge - (Gen. 39:7-20)

E. Personal short comings - (1 Kings 13)

F. Protection - (Lk. 22:54-62)

 

III. RESULTS OF LYING

B. Financial difficulties - (Gen. 42:1-8)

C. Death - (2 Kings 9:30-37; Acts 5:1-11)

 

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN

"The mandatory part of the commandment implied, is that we stand up for others and vindicate them when they are injured by lying lips. This is the sense of the commandment, not only that we should not slander falsely or accuse others; but that we should witness for them, and stand up in their defense, when we know them to be traduced. A man may wrong another as well by silence as by slander, when he knows him to be wrongfully accused, yet does not speak in his behalf. If others cast false aspersions on any, we should wipe them off. When the apostles were filled with the wine of the Spirit, and were charged with drunkenness, Peter openly maintained their innocence. "These are not drunken, as ye suppose." (Acts 2:15). Jonathan knowing David to be a worthy man, and all those things Saul said of him to be slanders, vindicated him. "David hath not sinned against thee; his works have been to thee-ward very good. Wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?" (1 Sam. 19:4-5). When the primitive Christians were falsely accused for incest, and killing their children, Tertullian wrote a famous apology in their vindication. This is to act the part both of a friend and of a Christian, to be an advocate for another, when he is wronged in his good name." - Quote from Thomas Watson, a Puritan Preacher, 1620-1686.