Weekend, March 9, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n Let\u2019s Tell the Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. (Ephesians 4:25<\/a> NLT)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In 1991, James Patterson and Peter Kim published a book called The Day America Told the Truth<\/em>. In their book they came to the following conclusion: \u201cAmericans lie. They lie more than we had ever thought possible. . . \u00a0But they told us the truth about how much they lie.\u201d<\/p>\n The authors went on to point out that Americans lie to just about everyone, and the better we know someone, the more likely we are to have told them a serious lie.<\/p>\n Lying is widespread in our culture today. We don\u2019t even admit it when we lie. In fact, when public figures tell bald-faced lies and get caught, they claim they misspoke. No one wants to come out and say what is true anymore.<\/p>\n As Christians, we grieve the Holy Spirit<\/a> when we lie. Ephesians 4:25<\/a> says, \u201cSo stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body\u201d (NLT).<\/p>\n And Proverbs 6<\/a> identifies seven things that God hates. It is worth noting that two of those things have to do with lying and deception. The writer tells us, \u201cThere are six things the Lord hates\u2014no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family\u201d (verses 16\u201319 NLT).<\/p>\n The Bible also teaches that liars will not inherit the kingdom of God. According to Revelation 21:8<\/a>, \u201cBut cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars\u2014their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death\u201d (NLT).<\/p>\n This doesn\u2019t mean that if you have lied as a Christian, you are going to Hell. Though believers can fall into lying just as they can fall into any kind of sin, there is a difference between that and a habitual flow of lies that proceed from a heart that seeks to deceive.<\/p>\n For example, Abraham lied on several occasions. He lied about his wife, Sarah, who was so beautiful that he was afraid someone would try to steal her from him. Therefore, he told everyone that she was his sister. There was some truth to it because she was his half-sister. But for all practical purposes, it was a lie.<\/p>\n Simon Peter lied about knowing the Lord. In fact, he denied that he ever knew Him. David lied as well.<\/p>\n The idea is that if we lie, we need to see it as a sin and repent<\/a> of it. What we don\u2019t want to do is rationalize it by saying, \u201cEveryone else is doing it, and people understand it. Therefore, it\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n When we lie, we\u2019re reflecting the devil, whom the Bible describes as the \u201cfather of lies\u201d (John 8:44<\/a> NLT).<\/p>\n We should reflect our heavenly Father, who is truth. And if we are reflecting Him, it should be evident in what we say and in the way that we live.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2024 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org<\/a><\/strong> Watch Greg Laurie<\/a>‘s weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n In a world that insists God is just a myth, there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary that demands our attention. Renowned author Lee Strobel takes the question of God\u2019s existence head-on in an engaging new book titled Is God Real?<\/em> Tackling the big questions of life, this fantastic resource is both easy to read and useful to share. We will mail you a copy in thanks for your support of Harvest Ministries this month.\u00a0<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/media.swncdn.com\/via\/5363-67149-347375447mktgwebbannersalemmediaupdate-.jpg\")
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Listen to Greg Laurie<\/a>‘s daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"is](\"https:\/\/i.swncdn.com\/media\/200w\/via\/images\/2024\/02\/29\/34794\/34794-isoproduct_source_file.webp\")
<\/source><\/picture><\/strong>In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of\u00a0<\/strong>Is God Real?<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>by Lee Strobel.<\/strong><\/p>\n