Do Not Lie to One Another

Paul is here again giving believers a commandment on how we are to interact; he says, “do not lie to one another” (Colossians 3:9). On the surface, this statement looks quite simple and I thought today’s “one another” would be as easy as quoting the 9th commandment from Exodus 20 and calling it good. But the Word of God has both infinite wisdom and infinite meaning, so this simple statement really isn’t simple at all.

First, let’s look at the context. The previous verse tells us to put aside all “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech” (Colossians 3:8). In one way or another, each of these kinds of speech can be a form of lying. Next Paul gives us a reason to not lie, “since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” (Colossians 3:9-10). Here Paul teaches that you’re a new person and you’re being remade into the image of Christ; therefore don’t be like that old person!

Jesus Christ is not only our Lord and Savior, He is also our Example. Jesus said of Himself that He is “the truth” (John 14:6) and that He came “to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). We also know that the nature of God the Father is such that He cannot lie (I Samuel 15:29). By contrast, Satan’s nature is to deceive, “for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44). Therefore, we see that lying is in direct opposition to the character of God and it must not be part of our new character in Christ.

In a similar way, the Apostle Peter teaches us to put “aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and evil and all slander…if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (I Peter 2:1-3). Again, each of these kinds of speech can be a form of lying, and the reason for not practicing such behavior is because you now know the Lord. Using Zodhiates’ Complete Word Study Dictionary, I found that the Greek word used in Colossians 3:9 for “lie” has many shades of meaning: deceive, betray, cheat, untruth, falsehood, defraud, and exaggerate. What I find most interesting about this list of terms, is that some of these go way beyond just our speech. To betray, cheat, or defraud someone will often times involve actions, as well as words.

So now we have a better understanding of the biblical sense of lying and why this command is so important. But let’s turn our attention back to the “one another” Paul has given us here. He says specifically to “not lie to one another”, meaning other believers. I can imagine wanting to lie as a form of self-protection when confronted with enemies, but why would someone lie to like-minded comrades? I suppose the reasons are many, but two come to mind. First, lying may have been a habit before becoming a Christian and habits can be hard to break. We’re all re-born as babes into Christ and we need time to develop mature, Christ-like character.

Second, I see that fear is always a motivation for lying. We don’t want to let others see the “real” us because we fear rejection. Perhaps we’ve been hurt in the past by another believer. But this does not mean we should automatically put up our defense mechanisms and resort to telling a lie. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18a).

Sadly, I know of another form of lying that is spoken both within our churches and to the lost and dying world around us. When we fail to speak the truth of the Gospel of Christ, we are behaving like false prophets. Jeremiah 23:17 puts it this way – “They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You will have peace”’; and as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, they say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’ ”

As Christians, we are ambassadors of Christ and witnesses of His message. It is wrong to promise peace to those destined for hell. It is wrong to promote a false gospel of health, wealth and prosperity. It is also wrong to smile, pretending everything is fine and dandy, when what you actually see is stubbornness of the heart. Jeremiah 23:14 says the prophets who walk in falsehood “strengthen the hands of evil doers”. It is not enough to “not lie to one another”; we must also speak the truth to one another.

I John 2:6 “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

Discussion Questions:

What other forms of lying are there? What happens to the Body of Christ when we’re deceitful towards one another? What are some ways to break the “habit” of lying?

Make it Real

“Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before Me in My Temple and chant, ‘We are safe!’ – only to go right back to all those evils again?” NLT Jeremiah 7:9,10

It is amazing how some people think they are safe from harm because they go to church. I’ve always wondered where those folks get their theology. They are the ones so surprised when life jumps up and bites them. But in the New Testament we are told over and over again to expect trials, tribulations, and persecutions – and that’s for those who are following after God with all their hearts. Imagine the wrath to be poured out on those who are calloused toward the Lord God!

This passage of Jeremiah is talking about people who came to the Temple on the Sabbath (or church on Sundays) and seemingly worship Him while they are there. But then they leave the building and their thoughts of God seem to be left there as well. They go on throughout the coming week with little or no regard to God and His laws. Verse 7 lists specifically six of the Ten Commandments that the Israelites were brazenly and repeatedly breaking.

The bottom line for these folks is that their religion has no personal commitment; there wasn’t anything that made it real. But not much has changed. For some people today; church is just a club where you socialize with friends and family. As Christians, we need to make sure that our church membership, attending meetings, wearing fancy clothes, or holding positions of honor doesn’t take priority over letting God change our hearts and our behavior during the week ahead. Remember, God will not be fooled. He sees your actions and your motives every day of the week, not just on Sundays. And just like in Jeremiah’s day, you won’t be safe from harm either just because you were in church a few days ago.

In a similar way, I can’t let my blog writing be for show. The stuff I write here has to make a difference in my life or I am wasting my time. Personal application has to be the focus of my writing. But it is much worse than just wasting time, because really, God will not be fooled. I am putting on a false face of worship, devotion and prayer if I don’t allow all this writing to be used by the Holy Spirit to bring me closer to His image.

Idolatry

How can anyone read the Prophet Jeremiah and not find themselves focusing on idolatry and doing a little soul-searching to see what idols might be lurking in their own lives? Well, as overdone as that may be, that’s what I’ve done here too. From Jeremiah 1:16, we learn that worshiping other gods is not to be taken lightly; God considers it to be wicked and says those who practice idolatry have forsaken Him.

That is a pretty serious indictment, sure hope I’m not guilty of that! But the sad fact is, I often am, and you probably are too. It is sometimes easy to forget about the sin of idolatry. After all, we don’t make little statues to worship or burn a lot of incense in our culture. But that doesn’t mean we Americans don’t have a major idolatry problem.

An idol is anything, any idea, any person, any hope or dream that has become more important to you than the Lord God. What are the excuses you’ve given for missing church? The big game on TV, sleeping in, time with my family, golfing with your buddies -- all these can become idols if left unchecked. Why did we fail to do our Bible study this week? The same excuses, plus the demands of a career, primping the house for company, too many “good” shows on TV this week, I’m on vacation! Whatever it is you’ve been telling yourself is a good excuse is probably not – it is just Satan’s ploy to keep you from growing closer to our Lord Jesus.

And the result? God considers it wicked idolatry and says you have forsaken him to worship other gods. Is that what we meant to say when we ignored God for these other activities and desires? I hope not! Next time you make an excuse, check your motives for wicked idolatry. Where your heart is, there will be your treasure also.

One way I’ve personally chosen to apply this verse is to ask myself what was the first thing on my mind when I woke up this morning? If my thoughts were racing to some pet project I’ve been looking forward to, then I can be pretty sure I’m off worshiping some other god, practicing idolatry. But when I wake and I’m praising the Lord and anxious to dig into his Word to start my day, then I can be assured that my heart is where it should be.

Jeremiah 1:16 “I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made.”

Journal Suggestions:

What idols did you have to destroy when you first came to the Lord by faith?

Discuss one of the 10 Commandments as it applies to your life.