We live in a world of dishonesty; a world where lies is gradually gaining ground as a way of life. Lies have become so common that people now trivialize it by giving it all kinds of subtle names. Some as white lies, fibs, half-truths or exaggerations, prank, whatever name you may call it, lying is lying. It is deception and in fact, the highest form of insincerity. It can easily lead someone into hell fire.

Lie is the act of telling someone something different from what he believes to be true. It is a conscious distortion of truth, of facts and of reality. It is a way misleading people from the right path. It is also an act of deception and insincerity. Lie can also mean a false expression or false impressions. Most people justify lies on the ground of protecting oneself. Does lie really protect people? only truth can set you free!

Most of those who are addicted to lies are possessed. They are possessed of a demon known as ‘the spirit of lies.’ In this case they find it very difficult to tell the truth. A liar is someone who possesses the spirit of lies. He is someone who derives joy in telling lies and in deceiving people. People like this need urgent deliverance.

The first time lie was introduced in the bible was in the early chapter of the Book of Genesis chapter three. The devil appeared to Eve in form of a deceiving serpent. He lied to Eve saying, “You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5). What a lie!

This is the first lie ever told in the bible. The serpent succeeded in deceiving Eve and his husband, Adam. After eating the fruit their eyes actually opened but instead of becoming like God they were reduced to nothing. “They knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). Any time you allow satan to deceive you; you will surely realize how empty you are. You will be exposed to your nakedness. May God deliver us from satanic deception!

Lies exist in most of the sectors in our society. People seem to tell lies wherever they find themselves. They are ready to distort the truth at all times. They see nothing wrong with lies. Lying is gradually becoming an acceptable way of life. People are not prosecuted for telling lies. They don’t even feel any remorse for telling lies. Liars live according to the unwritten 11th commandment: “Thou shall not be caught!”

The most common lie among the youths and even some dishonest adults is phone lies. People tell all kinds of lies through the phone. Robbers and kidnappers use the phone for their evil oppressions. Even the service providers are even using the phone lines to dupe their customers by subscribing them to all kinds of activities against their will. Most people claim to be where they are not through phone. May God deliver us from phone liars!

Business liars are those who tell lies in order to make more profits through their business. Most people wrongly believe that lies are the essence of business. The more lies one is able to tell the more profit he is likely to make. For most business men lies is a normal way of doing business. But as a child of God, you must not tell lies because of profit? There is nothing wrong with making profit in business but telling lies cannot be justified; after all, the people you lied to are not fools. Moreover, you may not be the only one selling that particular product. Through lies you may likely lose your customers and you might even end in hell fire.

We have so many official liars. These are people who falsify figures. They are people who use the pen to rob the government, their companies and even their fellow human beings. They give wrong quotations and even make false claims. Office liars are equally those who are paid to remove or sneak in files illegally. They have ruined so many people’s future carriers because of money. If you are an office liar, kindly repent before it is too late!

Political liars are numerous in our nation. In attempt to get people’s votes and mandates most of our politicians tell all sorts of lies. They make empty ‘political promises.’ As soon as the election is over they hardly remember most of the things they promise their electorates. Political lies have almost become a way of life in Nigeria. People are so used to political lies that they are no longer carried away by their empty promises. Only a fool will allow himself to be deceived more than twice.

Religious liars are everwhere. A religious leader who is living a life of hypocrites is a liar. A religious who is not accountable to his flocks is also a liar. Our Lord Jesus Christ confronts the Religious leaders of his time when he says, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation” (Matthew 23:13-14). Most religious leaders, as our Lord Jesus Christ observed, are living a life of deception. May God deliver us from religious liars!

Prophetic liar or false prophets is common in our nation today. A false prophet is one who falsely claims the gift of prophecy or divine inspiration. Most of the preachers we have in our nation today are claiming to be prophets. They often quote God in everything they say. For instance, “The Lord said I should I announce to you…” or “Thus says the Lord…” Only God knows how many of these prophets are authentic.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warns his followers: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:15-16). Not all that glitters is gold. Many are called but few are chosen. By their fruits we shall know them! If you are a false prophet, kindly repent before the wrath of God falls upon you. Stop deceiving yourself and those around you.

Lie is not of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ told the evil Pharisees who were trying to hide the truth, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Lie is the natural attribute of Satan. He cannot exist without lies.

The devil is not just a liar! He is also a thief, a bandit, a thug, a fraudulent, a chief gangster, a hoodlum, a hooligan, a criminal and a deceiver of the highest order. According to our Lord Jesus Christ, He is a thief, a murderer and a destroyer: “The thief comes only to steal, to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10). The only language he understands is the language of lies, stealing and destruction. He has no business with truth.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the opposite of everything we can say about satan. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). His mission is to bear witness to the truth. He told Pontius Pilate, “…for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice” (John 18:37). Our Lord Jesus Christ is not just the truth; He is also the promoter of truth. He came into this world to introduce people to the way of truth.

Indeed, Birds of the same feather flock together. Followers of Christ Jesus are followers of the truth. Whereas agents of satan are children of lies. Dear reader, where do you belong? Are you on the side of the truth (Jesus) or on the side of lies (Satan)? Are you sincere with yourself and with the people around you? How honest are you? The earlier you define your position the better for you because you cannot serve two masters at the same time.

Truth remains the surest way to freedom. It is the only thing that can set us free. Lies can never set you free. Instead, it will get you into all kinds of troubles. Our Lord Jesus Christ told his followers, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). Clear conscience fears no accusation. A truthful man is a peaceful man. A truthful man enjoys inner peace. He has nothing to worry about. A liar is the most insecure person in the world. A liar has no peace of mind. May God deliver us from the spirit of lies!


REV. FR. JOHN DAMIAN ADIZIE, OCD
Phone: 08076635886
Email: [email protected]