Sermon:Who is Liar?

WHO IS A LIAR?

•A liar is a deceitful witness.

-Proverbs 14:25,"But a deceptive witness speaks lies."

•A liar is a someone who destroys with lying words.

-Isaiah 32:7,"He devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words.."

•A liar is someone who speaks lies.

-Proverbs 19:9,"A false witness will not go unpunished,And He who speaks lies shall perish."

•A liar is someone who speaks lies and has a deceitful tongue.

 -Zephaniah 3:13,"And speak no lies ,nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth."

•A liar is someone who circulates a false report.

-Exodus 23:1,"You shall not circulate a false report. 

•A liar is someone who doesn’t stand in the truth,like the devil.The devil is called the Father of lies,indicating that liars align with evil.

-John 8:44,"You are of your father the devil,and the desires of your father you want to do.He was a murderer from the beginning,and does not stand in the truth,because there is no truth in him."

•A liar is someone who has a lying tongue.

-Proverbs 26:28,"A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it."

•A liar is someone who doesn’t keep God’s commandments.Those who claim to know God but do not obey His commands are liars.

-1 John 2:4,"He who says,"I know Him,"And does not keep His commandments,is a liar.."

•A liar is someone who denies that Jesus is the Christ.

-1 John 2:22,"Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?

•A liar is someone who hates his brother but claims to love God.

-1 John 4:20,"If someone says,"I love God,"And hates his brother,he is a liar.."

•A liar is someone who prophesies false dreams and causes others to err by their lies.

-Jeremiah 23:32,"Behold I am against those who prophesy false dreams,"says the Lord,"And tell them,and cause my people to err by their lies and by their recklessness."

▪︎A liar is someone who lies against the truth.

-James 3:14,"...Do not boast and lie against the truth.."

•A liar is someone who bears false witness against their neighbor without cause.

-Proverbs 24:28,"Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,For would you deceive with your lips?

•A liar is someone who has a deceitful tongue.He loves lying and devouring words.

-Psalm 52:3-4,"You love evil more than good,Lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words you deceitful tongue.

•A liar is someone who delights in lies.

-Psalm 62:4,"They delight in lies;They bless with their mouth,but they curse inwardly. "

•Liars are among those who engage in various sinful behaviors.Lying is contrary to sound doctrine and moral law.

-1 Timothy 1:10,"For fornication,for sodomites,for kidnapper,for liars....and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.."

CONSEQUENCES OF LYING

□Spiritual Consequences:Lying separates people from God and hinders their relationship with Him. Lying disrupts our fellowship with God because it goes against His nature of truth.

-Psalm 51:6,"Behold you desire truth in the inward paths.."

□Social and relational Consequences. Lying destroys trust in relationships, leading to broken marriages, fractured friendships, and discord in communities. 

-Proverbs 12:19,"The truthful lips shall be established forever,But a lying tongue is but for a moment. "

-Ephesians 4:25,"Therefore,putting away lying,"Let each one of you speak truth with His neighbour."

□Internal Consequences:Living with lies often brings internal turmoil, guilt, and anxiety. 

-Psalm 32:3-4 ,"When I kept silent,my bones grew old through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;my vitality was turned into the drought of summer."

 □Eternal Consequences:Eternal judgment awaits those who persist in habitual lying without turning to God for forgiveness.

- Revelation 21:8,"But the cowardly, unbelieving,abominable,murderers,sexually immoral,sorcerers,idolaters,and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,which is the second death."

WHY IT IS GOOD TO SPEAK THE TRUTH

•The Lord detests lying lips but delights with those who are truthful.

-Proverbs 12:22,"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,But those who deal truthfully are His delight."

•A liar will be punished for his lies,he will not escape.

-Proverbs 19:5,"A false witness will not go unpunished, And He who speaks lies will not escape."

•God hates a lying tongue.

-Proverbs 6:16-17,"There are six things the Lord hates,..A lying tongue."

•The Lord shall destroy those who speak falsehood.

-Psalm 5:6,"You shall destroy those who speak falsehood. "

•Those who lie and deceive others will not dwell in the presence of the Lord.

-Psalm 101:7,"He who tell lies shall not continue in my presence."

•Liars and deceitful people will not live out half their days.

-Psalm 55:23,"Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days."

•Those who speak lies shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

-Revelation 21:27,"But there shall by no means enter it anything that defies,or causes an abomination or a lie,but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

•All liars shall have part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,which is the second death.

-Revelation 21:8,"...And all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone,which is the second death."

10 PRACTICAL STEPS TO TRUTHFULNESS

1)Acknowledge the Importance of truth.

□ Recognize that truthfulness is fundamental to living a life that pleases God. God is a God of truth, and as His children, we are called to reflect His nature in our words and actions.

-John 8:32, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

2)Examine your heart and motives.

□Before speaking ,take a moment to evaluate your motives. Are you being truthful for the right reasons, or is there an underlying desire to manipulate or protect yourself?

-Proverbs 4:23, "Keep your heart with all diligence,For out of it spring the issues of life."

3)Pray for a heart of truth.

□ Ask God to transform your heart and fill you with a desire to speak and live in truth. Pray for the courage to be truthful, even when it is difficult.

-Psalm 51:6, "Behold you desire truth in the inward parts,And in hidden part you will make me to know wisdom. "

4)Speak the truth in love.

□When you must speak the truth, do so with love and kindness. 

-Ephesians 4:15, "But,speaking the truth in love,may grow up in all things into Him who is the head- Christ."

5)Be Honest with yourself.

□Confront your own shortcomings, be truthful about who you are,and be willing to admit your mistakes and weaknesses.

- 1 John 1:8, "If we say we have no sin,we deceive ourselves,and the truth is not in us."

6)Choose Integrity over convenience.

□Even when lying might seem easier or more convenient, choose to stand by the truth. 

-Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,But those who deal truthfully are His delight. "

7)Avoid Half-truths and deceit.

□ Be careful not to manipulate the truth by leaving out important details or by presenting information in a misleading way.

-Proverbs 6:16-19, "These six things the Lord hates, ... a lying tongue..."And a false witness who speaks lies."

8)Repent and seek forgiveness when you fail.

□If you fall into lying or dishonesty, immediately repent and seek God’s forgiveness.

-1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

9)Commit to consistent honesty.

 □Make honesty a daily habit. Build a reputation for truthfulness in all areas of your life, whether in your relationships, work, or personal life.

-Proverbs 12:19, "The truthful lips shall be established forever,But a lying tongue is but for a moment ."

10)Surround yourself with truthful people.

□Seek out friends, mentors, and a community that values truth. Being around those who live with integrity will encourage and challenge you to remain truthful.

-Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

HOW TO QUIT LYING

▪︎Acknowledge the sin:Recognize that lying is a sin against God and others.

-Proverbs 12:22,"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.."

▪︎Seek forgiveness:Confess your sins or your lies to God and ask for His forgiveness.

-1 John 1:9,"If we confess our sins,He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

▪︎Commit to Truthfulness:Make a conscious decision to speak the truth in all situations.

-Ephesians 4:25,"Therefore,putting away lying,"Let each one of you speak truth with His neighbour."

▪︎Guard your thoughts:Focus on honesty in your thoughts to prevent lying.

-Proverbs 4:23,"Keep your heart with all diligence,For out of it spring the issues of life."

-Philippians 4:7,"And the God of peace,which surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. "

▪︎Practise transparency:Be open and honest in your communications with others.

-Psalm 51:6,"Behold,you desire truth in the inwardly parts.."

▪︎Reflect on God’s character:Meditate on God's truthfulness and faithfulness as a model for your own behavior.

-Numbers 23:19,"God is not a man,that He should lie....Has He said,and will He not do?Or has He spoken,and will He not make it good?

▪︎Pray for Strength:Regularly ask God for the strength to be truthful and resist temptation  to lie.

-Psalm 119:133,"Direct my steps by your word,And let no iniquity have dominion over me."

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE 

Lord Jesus,I come before you today in repentance,accepting you as my Lord and saviour.Please remove anything in my life that obstructs the Holy spirit's work. I invite you into my heart,spirit and mind; take full control. I dedicate my life to your service and ask that you use me powerfully for your glory, in Jesus name.amen 

PRAYER

1)Heavenly father,grant me the strength  to uphold truth in my words and actions in Jesus' name.

2)Father,protect me from the schemes of the wicked in Jesus' name.

3)Lord, I ask you to put an end to all wickedness in my life, in the mighty name of Jesus'.

4)Father,guide my steps away from falsehood and lead me in the paths of righteousness in Jesus' name.

5)Lord,may i be among the remnant who remain faithful,free from deceit and wickedness in Jesus' name.

6)Help me,Lord,to reject bitter envy and selfish ambition in Jesus' name.

7)Lord Jesus,i pray for a heart that truly obeys your commandments,free from wickedness of hypocrisy in Jesus' name.

8)Lord,shield me from the spirit of antichrist, and help me to cling to the truth of your word in Jesus' name.

9)Father,let not my heart habor hatred, teach me to love genuinely and to reject all forms of wickedness in Jesus' name.

10)Father,may i never bear false witness or engage in deceit;but always strive for honesty in my dealing in Jesus' name.

11)Father, grant me the strength to be a faithful witness of your truth in Jesus' 

12)Lord, shield me from false witnesses and keep me away from their influence in Jesus' name.

13)Protect me, O Lord, from those who speak lies and deceit in Jesus' name

14)Lord,let me not conform to the ways of the wicked, but live a life that reflects your righteousness in Jesus' name.

15)Lord Jesus,keep from falsehood and ensure that I walk in integrity in Jesus' name.

16)Lord,help me to abhor pride and deceit,and to cultivate a heart that seeks humility and truth in Jesus' name.

17)Father,guide me to shun those who practise wickedness,and surround me with people who honour you in Jesus' name.

18)Lord,protect me from the wicked and those who seek to harm me in Jesus' name.

19)Help me,O God to cultivate a heart free from envy and strife in Jesus' name.

20)Father,shield me against the machinations of the wicked in Jesus' name.

The Lord bless you and keep you;The Lord make His face shine upon you,And be gracious to you;The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,And give you peace. May the blessings of God almighty,the father,the son and the Holy Spirit,be with you and remain with you forever.Amen