Why we lie

A couple of days ago, a talk show host on a local FM station here was inviting comments from listeners about why people lie and whether certain lies were acceptable and so on. As is usually the case, people called in with different opinions. This blog briefly examines the question "why do we lie?"

Two of the most tragic liars in the Bible were a man called Ananias and his wife Sapphira. You can read their story in the book of Acts chapter 5, verses 1-11. The reason that the story is tragic is that Ananias and his wife fell down and died immediately their lies were discovered. What a high price to pay for lying! So why do we lie?

In the passage referred to above, the apostle Peter, in confronting Ananias about his lie asked him the following question: "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit......" I suggest to you that one reason why we lie is that Satan rather than God fills our hearts. Jesus says of Satan in John chapter 8 verse 44 "......there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." The father of lies! Every lie that a human being speaks is birthed out of Satan's hideous heart, straight from the nether world. Every human heart therefore, where Jesus is not in charge cannot but churn out lies. And every lie by whatever colour it is painted and for whatever excuse it is made is still a lie.

By contrast in John chapter 14, verse 6, Jesus says "I am the way, the truth and the life...." The more of your life and mine that Jesus controls, the more truth we not only speak but live. May your life be filled with truth today and may lies loosen their hold of your tongue and your heart forever, Amen.