Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

Liar, Liar

God can't stomach liars;

He loves the company of those who keep their word.

Proverbs 12:22 

lie (li) vi.  lied, lying.  1.  to make a statement that one knows

is false, especially with intent to deceive;  2. to give a false impression; to deceive

Every human being on earth has told a lie at one time or other in their existence, just as we all have been lied about.  What is it about a lie that is so devastating?  Is it the sudden feeling of betrayal?  The loss of trust?  The helplessness we feel when others are told a falsehood about us or someone we love? 

The other side of the coin is:  Why do we lie in the first place?  -

·         To get out of a sticky situation? 

·         To throw down a smoke screen to cover up our activities? 

·         As a convenience to avoid embarrassment? 

·         As a habit we have no clue how to break? 

·         Out of fear – of harm, of punishment, of loss, of rejection?

Why does God hate lying?  Perhaps it is because a lie not only hurts the person who utters it and the one to whom it is said, but also all those who are in the pathway of that deceit.  Lying is a form of bondage, wrapping chain after chain around the liar’s heart, sapping one's strength and eating away at one's soul.

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Jesus the Savior reigns, the God of Truth and love;

When He has purged our stains, He took His seat above.

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice,

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

The United Methodist Hymnal, #715