Colossians 3: What a Christian seeks 3: The reasons for it 3: What a Christian must not do 3:5 4. The reasons why 3: Behavior that is always wrong 3:8-9a 6. The reasons why 3:9b-10

Do Not Lie! Colossians 3:9

Have you ever told a lie?

Have you ever knowingly deceived another person?

Is deception always wrong?

What is truth? What is deception?

Truth vs. Deception What is Truth? What is Truth? the real facts about a situation, event, or person; the real facts about a situation, event, or person; fidelity (truthfulness) in action, character, and utterance; fidelity (truthfulness) in action, character, and utterance; freedom from falsehood. freedom from falsehood.

Truth vs. Deception What is Deception? What is Deception? to communicate through words or actions something which is not true in order to deceive someone, or to communicate through words or actions something which is not true in order to deceive someone, or to create a false and misleading impression. to create a false and misleading impression.

Truth vs. Deception Questions for thought: Questions for thought: Why is it so easy to deceive? Why is it so easy to deceive? Is deception always wrong? Is deception always wrong?

Truth vs. Deception Why is it so easy to deceive? Why is it so easy to deceive? Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 58:3 [We] are estranged from the womb: [we] go astray as soon as [we are] born, speaking lies.

Truth vs. Deception Why is it so easy to deceive? Why is it so easy to deceive? Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way Our Problem? We want our own way!

Truth vs. Deception Our own way is: Our own way is: to look good in other people’s eyes. to protect ourselves from the consequences of our choices & actions.

Truth vs. Deception God’s way is: God’s way is: to always tell the truth. to develop the character trait of truthfulness. to be known as a truth-speaker.

Truth vs. Deception God’s Nature God’s Nature Psalm 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

Truth vs. Deception God cannot lie! God cannot lie! Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Truth vs. Deception Jesus is the Truth Jesus is the Truth John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Truth vs. Deception The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth … John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth …

Truth vs. Deception Truth is a fruit of the Spirit Truth is a fruit of the Spirit Ephesians 5:9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Ephesians 5:9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.

Truth vs. Deception God Commands us to Speak the Truth God Commands us to Speak the Truth Leviticus 19:11: Leviticus 19:11: You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. Ephesians 4:25: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25: “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.”

Truth vs. Deception Truth is a Condition for Fellowship with God Truth is a Condition for Fellowship with God Psalm 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalm 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.

Truth vs. Deception God’s wants His people to be Truthful inside God’s wants His people to be Truthful inside Psalm 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts [inner man]: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts [inner man]: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Truth vs. Deception The Right Response The Right Response Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

Truth vs. Deception The Right Response The Right Response Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Truth vs. Deception A Promise for the Truthful A Promise for the Truthful Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Truth vs. Deception Truth is part of our armor Truth is part of our armor Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Truth vs. Deception Satan: Father of Lies & Liars Satan: Father of Lies & Liars John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil,... 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. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil,... 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.

Truth vs. Deception No Liars in Heaven No Liars in Heaven Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, … or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, … or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Truth vs. Deception All Liars Suffer Eternal Punishment All Liars Suffer Eternal Punishment Revelation 21:8 … and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 … and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Truth vs. Deception God Hates Lying God Hates Lying Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.

Truth vs. Deception The Righteous Hates Lying The Righteous Hates Lying Proverbs 13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Proverbs 13:5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

Truth vs. Deception Jesus Requires Truthfulness Jesus Requires Truthfulness Matthew 5:37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. When we say something, it should be true. We should not say one thing and mean another. When we say something, it should be true. We should not say one thing and mean another.

What about people who lied in the Bible? Prescription vs. Description Prescription vs. Description Prescription: command Prescription: command Description: a record of an event Description: a record of an event

People who Lied in the Bible Rahab Rahab Joshua 2:1-7 – her lie about the spies Joshua 2:1-7 – her lie about the spies James 2:25: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2:25: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

People who Lied in the Bible Rahab Rahab Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

People who Lied in the Bible The Rahab Principle The Rahab Principle God does not bless lies. God does not bless lies. God blesses faith. God blesses faith.

People who Lied in the Bible Abraham told half-truth/half-lies about Sarah (Gen. 12, 20). Abraham told half-truth/half-lies about Sarah (Gen. 12, 20). Jacob deceived his father. (Gen. 27) Jacob deceived his father. (Gen. 27) Hebrew midwives deceived Pharaoh (Exod. 1:17-20). Hebrew midwives deceived Pharaoh (Exod. 1:17-20). David lied to Ahimelech, the priest at Nob (1 Sam. 21:1-2, 8). David lied to Ahimelech, the priest at Nob (1 Sam. 21:1-2, 8).

Concluding Principles Never lie! Never lie! Always tell the truth! Always tell the truth! Remember the Law of Sowing & Reaping Remember the Law of Sowing & Reaping

Concluding Principles The difference between deception and concealment The difference between deception and concealment It is proper to conceal facts from individuals who have no right to the information. It is proper to conceal facts from individuals who have no right to the information. Concealment is a sin when our authority figures ask us for the information. Concealment is a sin when our authority figures ask us for the information.

Concluding Principles We must tell all the truth to We must tell all the truth to Official authorities who adjure us in God’s name to tell all we know (Lev. 5:1). Official authorities who adjure us in God’s name to tell all we know (Lev. 5:1). Since children are to obey their parents in all things (Eph. 6:1 ‑ 3), children are obligated to tell the whole truth to their parents when asked. Since children are to obey their parents in all things (Eph. 6:1 ‑ 3), children are obligated to tell the whole truth to their parents when asked.

Concluding Principles We are responsible to be truthful with all men, but all men do not have a right to all the truth. We are responsible to be truthful with all men, but all men do not have a right to all the truth. We must, however, be truthful when we do not tell everything we know. We must, however, be truthful when we do not tell everything we know. Our intent must not be to deceive the other person. Our intent must not be to deceive the other person.

Concluding Principles Responding to those who do not have a right to information Responding to those who do not have a right to information Politely say nothing. Politely say nothing. Politely say we are not permitted to give that information. Politely say we are not permitted to give that information. Politely refuse to answer the question. Politely refuse to answer the question.

Concluding Principles Responding to those who do not have a right to information Responding to those who do not have a right to information Politely inform the questioner that they do not have a right to the information. Politely inform the questioner that they do not have a right to the information. Politely evade the question with a question of your own. (Matt. 21:23ff). Politely evade the question with a question of your own. (Matt. 21:23ff).

Concluding Principles Filter your thoughts through WWJD Filter your thoughts through WWJD Please Jesus in everything you do & say (Col. 1:9-10). Please Jesus in everything you do & say (Col. 1:9-10). Learn to walk in the Spirit Learn to walk in the Spirit Romans 8:4, 14 Romans 8:4, 14 Gal. 5:16, 25 Gal. 5:16, 25

Concluding Principles Join the Psalmist in hating lies and lying. Join the Psalmist in hating lies and lying. Psalm 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Psalm 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Concluding Principles Purpose to be truthful and never to be deceitful or tell a lie! Purpose to be truthful and never to be deceitful or tell a lie! Job 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Job 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Psalm 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. Psalm 119:29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

Have you ever told a lie?

Have you ever knowingly deceived another person?

Is deception always wrong?

Do Not Deceive! Colossians 3:9

Do Not Lie! Colossians 3:9