Lies and liars seem to be everywhere.
Presidents and politicians have lied about their backgrounds, policies or qualifications. Former government officials have lied about “classified” documents. Job applicants have lied about college degrees or prior-positions held.
Modern liars lie—and without shame! School principals and school boards lie. Students lie. Musicians lie about melodies or chord progressions. Pharmaceutical companies lie. Manufacturers lie. Regulators lie.
Even murderers lie.
In South Carolina, the jurors of the Alex Murdaugh murder trial took less than three hours last week to review more than five weeks of testimony from 72 witnesses and came to a guilty conviction on all four counts charged against the successful, former attorney.
With a legacy of respected attorneys and jurists in his family history, in that one county for over 100 years, Murdaugh self-admitted being a “liar, thief and drug addict.” Yet, he adamantly claimed he did not kill his wife and son.
Though the murder weapon was never found, the circumstantial evidence was abundant. Mr. Murdaugh was caught in several blatant lies by the prosecution during the trial; yet, he wanted the jury to believe him when he denied killing his spouse and son.
Apparently, they weren’t buying it. He was found guilty and sentenced to two, concurrent, life-long imprisonments.
Truth is no longer objective: yes or no, black or white. Rather, it has become subjective, personal and ever changing. Has no one told these liars that there is a special place in hell’s fire just for them?
But as for … “murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8, ESV).
Liars—From the Beginning
Eve, the mother of all future humans, encountered a speaking serpent (AKA: the deceiver, devil, Satan and accuser) in the Garden who lied to her, deceiving and tempting her to eat of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:1-7). Adam willfully joined with her in following this lie, sealing us in our deceitful natures and eternal separation from God, our Maker. (See 2 Thess. 1:6-10.)
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might (2 Thess. 1:8-9, NASB).
Lying seems to come naturally for us, from the time we begin to speak. David describes this moral dilemma in Psalm 58:3 when he said, “The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies” (ESV).
This often, humanly-excused practice is starkly shown and condemned with other gross sins in the Law of Moses, as Paul explained to Timothy.
“Understanding this, that the law is…for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine…(1 Tim. 1:9-10; ESV).
Liars—Will “Go to Hell”
Jesus explained that our sinful natures express lies easily, because we are of our “father the devil,” who is a liar and father of lies (John 8:44). Our words (including our lies) express the inward spirit, which Jesus–Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life–will judge on that appointed Day (Matt.12:33-37). Unless we become “born again” from “above,” we will face the same damnation and destiny as the “devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).
Jesus declared that this future day of judgment is for “those who are unfaithful to Me, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those conversing with demons, and idol worshipers and all liars” (Rev. 21:8; NLT).
Hell (Gr–Gehenna) is described by Jesus 12 times as a place of punishment. That place is described in the Book of Revelation as a “Lake that burns with fire and sulfur,” where all detestable, depraved and defiled beings will be “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10; 21:8). All lying liars will end up there!
It is our role to warn!
This topic is never pleasant to teach nor even discuss. But, in this age, it is the church’s role to warn people to repent and flee the righteous wrath that will come when Jesus returns as Judge:
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Jesus from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31, NIV)
Now is the time for repentance. Today is the day to turn away from sin and to a holy God! Resist Satan, the “father of lies,” and open to the Spirit of Truth, Who has come as our Helper and Guide (John 16:13-14). Ask Him to convict us of any sin of lying, which may “so easily ensnare us,” and convince us and help us to always speak the truth, in love (Eph. 4:15).
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Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys, California, Foursquare church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at worshipontheway.wordpress.com and frequent articles for digital and print platforms.
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