By Steve Greene
Lying begins whenever we attempt to twist or misrepresent the truth.
We give in to Satan’s schemes and end up speaking his native language when we lie, exaggerate or misrepresent the truth in any way.
Satan loves it when we lie. He loves it when we lie to deceive others, but he also wants us to lie to ourselves.
When you lie, there is an attempt to rationalize. We often told our kids, “When you rationalize, you are telling yourself rational lies.” Think about that for just a moment. Have you told any rational lies recently?
Some might say things like, “It is no big deal. It was just a little white lie. I told it to protect someone else. I don’t do it that often. I probably won’t do it again. Everyone does it. It’s not hurting anyone.” Don’t give in to the temptation to tell yourself or others these kinds of rational lies.
Whenever you open the door to any misrepresentation of truth, it is easy to continue in the land of deception. Occasionally, you will be tempted to double down on your lies, like when you tell a second lie to cover up a previous lie.
I have known people who have lied so much, they started to believe their own lies. They completely lose sight of the truth. Ask the holy spirit to pull back the veil and expose the truth if you have been lying to yourself or others.
It is time to face the truth about our lies. Whenever we lie, we are deceiving ourselves and we are living apart from God’s truth.
Satan wants us to speak his native language, and he will do his best to get us to lie to ourselves. He loves it when we lie to others, and his grand work of art is when he can get us to live a lie.
This is where the issue of hypocrisy comes into play. This is what happens when people claim to believe one thing, but their lives are inconsistent. Their words and their actions are not in alignment.
Are you willing to allow the spirit of God to reveal the truth about your life right now? Be willing to ask the hard questions and be open to him.
Consider praying this prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV) Listen as the spirit of God speaks to you.
Steve Greene is the lead pastor of The Point in Seymour. Read his blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or email him at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].