Day 20: No Gray Areas

Dear friend,

We’ve studied Proverbs 12:22, which says "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful" (NIV), and we’ve seen there is nothing in between.

Our problem is that we have so many gray areas in our thinking. But I question whether those gray areas are found in Scripture. If traced to its source, every lie comes from the devil. That is a frightening thought, but I will back it up with the words of Jesus Himself. Speaking to the religious leaders of His day (and bear in mind, they were very religious people), Jesus said:

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 (NIV))

Every time a lie passes through our lips, it comes from the devil.

One more very important, frightening fact about the 'disease' of lying is that unless the 'disease' is arrested and healed, it is fatal.

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practise magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8 (NIV))

Notice the groups of people: "the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practise magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars." That 'disease' is incurable. There is no way out: "their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur." Once a person is consigned to that second death, it is ultimate. I repeat what I said: Unless this 'disease' of lying is arrested and healed, it is sure to be fatal!

Revelation 22:15 speaks about the city of God:

“Outside are the dogs, those who practise magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practises falsehood [or lies].” (NIV)

So each of us must determine: Am I willing to be healed of this 'disease' of lying or am I prepared to lose my soul forever? Unless arrested and healed, the 'disease' of lying is ultimately fatal.