Getting to the Heart of Lying

The Ten Commandments - Part 7

Sermon Image
Speaker

Jon Hueni

Date
Feb. 25, 2018
Time
10:30 AM

Transcription

Disclaimer: this is an automatically generated machine transcription - there may be small errors or mistranscriptions. Please refer to the original audio if you are in any doubt.

[0:00] Please be seated and take your Bibles and turn to the first book of the Bible, Genesis, chapter 18.

[0:21] ! He said,

[4:00] So this morning it's show and tell. We'll look at many of these examples given to us and draw some important lessons then for us from these examples.

[4:13] My title for the message is Getting to the Heart of Lying. In other words, there's reasons why people tell lies. It's rare for someone just to tell a lie to tell a lie.

[4:25] It can happen. But most often people have reasons for lying. There's motivations at the level of the heart that cause people to lie.

[4:38] What are they? As we examine these examples in the Bible, we'll see that there are several. But they usually fall into a category of five or six.

[4:53] I'm going to set before you six reasons this morning that people lie. So, at getting to the heart of lying, I'm wanting us to better understand ourselves. Why am I tempted to lie in this situation?

[5:05] Why did I lie in that situation? To know ourselves and then to be better informed on how do I fight this battle against lying? Where do I take aim?

[5:18] So, to start with then, from the examples in the Bible, six reasons why people lie. The first is rebellion. Indeed, at the heart of all sins is rebellion.

[5:29] And this goes for lying as well. We're born into this world with rebellious hearts that have turned our back toward God and are going our own way. We each have turned to our own way, which is not God and His way.

[5:46] And this heart that we come into the world with then is an anti-law heart. We don't like the laws of God. We want to throw them off.

[5:56] And that goes for the ninth commandment as well. See if you can hear this rebellion in the words of a liar that David records in Psalm 12, verses 2 to 4, where David says, Everyone lies to his neighbor.

[6:10] They say, We will triumph with our tongues. We own our lips. Who is our master? Now, that is the heart language of liars.

[6:22] Whether they ever put it in such honest terms or not, that's the way liars think at the level of their heart. My lips are mine to do with what I want.

[6:35] I am my own master. So I will not have anyone telling me what I can and cannot say with my lips. I'll not have a ninth commandment as a fence around my mouth limiting what I can say.

[6:49] You hear that? That's rebellion in the heart. And rebellion in the heart puts lies in the mouth. Indeed, the scriptures in more than one place, but in Psalm 36 and verse 3 say that there is no fear of God here.

[7:06] And therefore, the words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful. No fear in the heart lies in the mouth. So that's the first reason people lie.

[7:19] Because of the rebellion that my lips are my own. I'm my own master. Another reason people lie is because of hatred.

[7:30] Hatred. They lie because they want to hurt somebody. Because they hate them. So there's Potiphar's wife. And she's crying and she's lying to her husband about Joseph.

[7:47] She's got his coat in her hands. And she's falsely accusing Joseph of violating her sexually.

[8:01] Look what your servant tried to do to me. I screamed and he ran. Not exactly the way it happened, was it? She's lying.

[8:12] Why is that? Why is Potiphar's wife lying about Joseph? There's a reason. Because he refused her sexual advances. He would have nothing to do with her solicitations.

[8:25] And so she now hates him as much as she once desired him. There's truth behind the poet's words. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And she is mad at him.

[8:36] She hates him. And she's using a lie to get even with him. To hurt him. Proverbs 26, 28. A lying tongue hates those it hurts.

[8:51] Do you see someone lying? With hatred that they are trying to make someone hurt.

[9:02] And that's what Potiphar's wife was doing. You see how the problem is deeper than the lie itself. The problem is malice in the heart. Hatred in the heart.

[9:13] The lie just becomes the weapon of choice. For a heart set on revenge. Wanting to hurt someone. We see the same in Psalm 52.

[9:25] Doeg the Edomite hated David. And wanted to lower him in the estimation of King Saul.

[9:35] So he lied to Saul about David. This is what David says about him in Psalm 52. Your tongue plots destruction.

[9:46] It's like a sharpened razor. You who practice deceit. You love falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word. Oh you deceitful tongue.

[9:58] And he stands on the pages of our Bible. As a man and as an example of one who grew strong. By destroying others. He hated David.

[10:09] And the harmful word. The slanderous false report. The slanderous false report. Was the way that he would bring him down. Hatred in the heart. Puts lies in the mouth.

[10:24] I'm told that nasty custody battles. For children of divorce. Are notorious for their lies. It's not hard to imagine is it.

[10:34] But in such context. The accusation of child abuse. Is judged to be false. In 33 to 80 percent. Of the times that it's leveled. Leveled against someone.

[10:46] In that context. It's usually someone wanting to destroy their ex. Wanting to hurt them. Well. That's what we see here. A lying tongue.

[10:57] Hates those. It hurts. Have you ever been tempted to spread a false report. About someone who hurt you.

[11:08] Malice will put a lie in your mouth. To hurt them. Back. We see this operating in. The situation in Acts 6 and 7.

[11:20] There's Deacon Stephen. And he's preaching the truth as it is in Jesus. And those who opposed him. The Jews who opposed him. Couldn't stand up to the wisdom and spirit. By which he spoke.

[11:33] And so they secretly persuaded some men to say. We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy. Against Moses and against God. They stirred up the people. They stirred up the religious leaders of the Jews.

[11:43] They seized Stephen. And brought him before the Supreme Court. And they produced false witnesses. Who testified. This fellow never stops speaking. Against this holy place.

[11:54] And against the law. And before they were done with Stephen. Their hearts were clearly exposed. As the same hatred that put lies into their mouth.

[12:06] Also put stones into their hands. To kill him. You see hatred in the heart. Will put lies in the mouth. Kids are you ever upset with your brother or sister.

[12:17] And to get them in trouble. You lie about him. To hurt them. Tell mom that it was their. They're the one that did it. Maybe a rival at school.

[12:28] Maybe a rival in sports. Parents we can do it with rivals at work. And do it with political. People have political difference. We can put lies in our mouths about them.

[12:39] To bring them down. To bring them down. You'll need more than a bridle for your tongue. When there's hatred and malice in the heart.

[12:51] It breaks out. In lies to harm them. That's the second reason. People lie. To hurt people. A third reason is greed.

[13:03] People lie to get something they want. Some personal gain. Whatever it might be. So there's Jacob. And he's. He's putting on the clothes of his brother Esau. And then he's got.

[13:15] Goat skin. Covering. His hands. And his neck. So that he both feels. And smells like his brother Esau. And then he goes into. His. Blind.

[13:25] Aged father. Pretending. To be. Esau. Who is it? Father Isaac asked. I'm Esau. You're first born. Said Jacob.

[13:39] Isaac. Touches him. And says. The voice. Is the voice of Jacob. But the hands. Are the hands. Of Esau. Are you really.

[13:50] My son. Esau. He asked. I am. Jacob. Answered. Why? Why the multiple lies?

[14:01] Why did Jacob lie like this? Well it was greed. Wasn't it? Wanting to steal the blessing. From his. Firstborn. Elder brother.

[14:13] So Jacob. More than once. Lives up to his name. Which means. He deceives. Very often. He was deceiving. Because he was greedy. And wanted something. Sadly.

[14:23] His own mother. Helped him. In his deception. Of her husband. Parents. Be very careful.

[14:33] That. You don't. Say one thing. To your husband. To your wife. That your kids know very well. Is not true. Here's Jacob.

[14:45] He's lying. Because he wants to get something. That's not his. Or there's King Ahab. And he looks out of his palace. And he sees this beautiful. Vineyard. He'd like to have it.

[14:55] For a vegetable garden. But it belongs to Naboth. And he goes to Naboth. And says. Sell me your vineyard. I'll pay you well for it. But Naboth.

[15:06] Is not selling. So Ahab's wife. Jezebel. Sets out to get it. For her pouting husband. Doesn't she? And she. She uses the king's own seal. And writes a letter.

[15:17] To the rulers. Of Naboth city. Proclaim a day of fasting. And seat Naboth. In a prominent place. Among the people. But seat. Two scoundrels. Opposite him.

[15:28] And have them testify. That he has cursed. Both God. And the king. Then take him out. And stone him to death. And that's just what happened.

[15:39] These two scoundrels. Gave false witness. And though the false witness. Came out of the scoundrels. Mouths. It was Jezebel. Who put him there. And it was greed.

[15:50] And her husband Ahab. That. Is the cause. For those lies. That were spoken. Against. Righteous.

[16:00] Naboth. Who was killed. And then. His. Property. Stolen. Greed in the heart. Puts lies in the mouth. To get whatever. Is wanted.

[16:12] You know. The bible shows. This connection. Between stealing. And lying. It's interesting. That it's. It's number eight. And nine. In the commandments. Isn't it? You shall not steal. And you shall not lie.

[16:23] And very often. Those two are found together. Leviticus. 1911. You shall not steal. Do not deal falsely. And lie to one another. God knows. That stealing.

[16:34] What is. Not ours. Often involves. Lying. To get it. That's what we've seen. In Jacob. And in Ahab. And Proverbs says.

[16:44] A fortune. Made by a lying tongue. Is a fleeting. Vapor. And a deadly. Snare. If you're willing to lie. You can make a fortune. That's the truth. But.

[16:56] But. It is. A fleeting. Vapor. And a deadly. Snare. Ever want something bad enough. To lie for it.

[17:08] Sometimes. In selling things. People will. Tell lies about their product. To get a higher price for it. Millions. As we saw. Last time.

[17:19] Lie. Lie on their tax forms. Lie on their insurance claims. Lie. About their expense accounts. Why? It's greed. To get more money.

[17:31] Greed in the heart. Puts lies. In the mouth. And it's not just money. That people lie for. It can be for. For greater popularity. So why did the. The enemies of Jesus.

[17:43] The Jewish leaders. Lie about him. Because he was gaining popularity. With the people. And that was popularity. They were envious of. And taken away from them.

[17:54] So they lied about Jesus. Why did they lie? To get. Some of his popularity. To lower him. And to raise themselves. In the estimation. Of the people.

[18:06] It was greed. For the praises of men. That put the lie. Into circulation. It's a popular motive. For lying. To lie.

[18:17] To get something. 33% admitted. Lying. On their job resumes. Why do they. They want a job.

[18:28] And they want it so bad. That they'll lie. To get it. Perhaps. Nowhere lies. More prevalent. Than on internet. Dating sites.

[18:39] People want something. They want to date. Date. And they want to date. Better than they deserve. And so they can. Just. Tweak their own image. And claim things. That aren't true.

[18:52] But I've wondered. What happens. When they get the real date. And she says. This isn't the guy. I saw online. This isn't the guy. I read about online. The truth has a way.

[19:02] Of coming out. But it's. Greed. You say. Wanting. Something. That puts a lie. In the mouth. Fourth. Why do people lie?

[19:13] Because of pride. Pride. So Ananias. Sapphira. Members of the church. In Jerusalem. Acts chapter 5. And.

[19:25] There's a lot of poor people. In the church. And so. Barnabas. And others. Sold some land. And donated the whole thing. To the church. And. Fed the poor.

[19:35] And met the needs. Of the people of Christ. And. Ananias. And Sapphira. Saw the. The joy. It brought to people. And they said. We want to do the same thing. We want people to.

[19:47] To think well of us. And so they sold a parcel. Of land. Land that they had. But rather than give the whole thing. They only gave a part. And they kept back some for themselves.

[20:01] Now there was no problem with that. There was no command. To have to give it all. They could have. Given half. And kept the other half. They could have given. Ten percent. And kept the other ninety.

[20:11] No problem. But what was a problem. Was that they. Lied. They said to Peter. As they brought the money. They said. This is the price. That we got for our land.

[20:22] We're giving it all. When in reality. They had kept back part. For themselves. Why did they lie? Why? The pride of heart.

[20:33] That wanted people. To think more highly of them. Than they should have. That's all. We want to be. Thought of. Just like. Barnabas.

[20:43] And these others. Who have given it all. We want to be. Thought of. As. All givers. And you remember. God struck them.

[20:54] Each. Dead on the spot. As the lie. Came out of their mouths. First. Ananias. Ananias. Then. Sapphira. Isn't that what drives.

[21:07] A lot of job. Resume lives. People. Proud. And wanting. Others to think. More highly of themselves. Facebook profiles. Pride. Wants people to think.

[21:18] Wow. Look at her. Look at him. And so. We tweak it. And we massage. The truth a bit. And we present. Someone that's. Maybe not really us.

[21:30] Pride always. Wants to impress. And not content. With just putting. Our best foot forward. It can move us. To put a false. Image. Forward. And.

[21:43] Ananias. And Sapphira. Remind us. It can happen. In churches. Well. Even. Even pride. Then. Becomes a reason. Why. We lie. Number five.

[21:57] Fear. People lie. To protect. Themselves. From harm. So. Peter. He's. A leading. Spokesman.

[22:07] For the. Twelve. Disciples. Of Jesus. And it's. Nighttime. And. In the courtyard. Of the high priest's house. And inside. Jesus is on trial. For his life.

[22:18] And it's cold. Outside. So. Peter. Sits down. Around the fire. And he's warming himself. And a servant girl. Looks at him. Closely. In the. Firelight. And suddenly.

[22:30] Recognizes. And says. You also. Were with Jesus. Of Galilee. But he denied it. I don't know. What you're talking about. Things were getting. Too warm. Around the fire.

[22:41] So he got up. And he moved on. Out. By the gateway. Where another girl. Saw him. And said to the people there. This fellow. Was with Jesus. Of Nazareth. And he denied it again.

[22:51] With an oath. I swear. I don't know the man. He's just spent three years with him. I swear. I don't know the man. A little later.

[23:02] Those standing there. Went up to Peter. And said. Surely. You are one of them. For your accent. Gives you away. You're a Galilean. As they are. And he began to call down.

[23:12] Curses on himself. May I be damned. If I know him. And he swore oaths. I don't know the man.

[23:24] And immediately. A rooster crowed. He goes outside. And weeps bitterly. Because he realizes. He's just done. What he said. He would never do. Deny that he knew.

[23:35] Jesus. I doubt that Peter. Ever heard the crowing. Of a rooster. Again in his life. Without being humbled. By that scene.

[23:53] We're left. To answer the question. Why? Why Peter? Why would you. Deny. Your savior. Three times. Even with curses.

[24:04] And oaths. Called upon your head. Fear. Fear of man. Fear of the consequences. Of identifying with Jesus. Now that he's being condemned.

[24:15] Now anybody can. Identify with Jesus. When he's multiplying the bread. And turning the water. Into wine. But what about. When he's arrested. Hated. And condemned.

[24:26] Then Peter is willing. To lie. Lie. Lie. To save his own skin. It was fear in his heart. That put the lies. In his mouth. Abraham.

[24:37] Twice lies. About his wife Sarah. Doesn't he? She was as beautiful. As she was barren. And when they came into Egypt. He lied about her. Saying she is my sister. Now that was true.

[24:48] She was the daughter. Of his father. And of another. Woman. Who was not Abraham's mother. But she was his. Sister. But though it was true.

[25:01] It was spoken to mislead. Wasn't it? His intent. Was to deceive. As if she was only. His sister. And not his wife.

[25:12] That's what he meant. To convey. And speaking. Part of the truth. As if it is the whole truth. Is. Simply part of a lie. Why? Abraham. Why would you lie.

[25:23] About your wife. Saying she is your sister. Fear. He had a wife. To kill for. At least. That's how Abraham.

[25:33] Thought of her. And he says. If we go into this. This land of Egypt. Where these people. Don't fear God. They are going to look at her. And say. I want her. For myself. And if they know.

[25:44] I am her husband. They will bump me off. To get her. She is just that beautiful. And so he lied. He lied. To save his own skin.

[25:56] Fear in the heart. Is strong enough. To make a man. Tell lies. In fact. He does it. Years later. As he goes into. Philistine territory. Same thing.

[26:08] She is my sister. He is rebuked. By pagan king. For lying. His son Isaac. Later lies. For the same reason. Denying that beautiful.

[26:19] Rebecca. Was his wife. Again. It is fear in the heart. That puts the lies. In the mouth. And lastly. For us this morning. One of the most common. Motives for lying.

[26:30] Is to cover up. Sin. It is to stay out of trouble. It is to keep. From getting caught. And this may be. Just another kind of fear. The fear of getting caught.

[26:42] But it is so common. That it deserves. A category of its own. So it is Moses. And he has been. Forty days. On the mountain. With God.

[26:55] And he is coming down. With two tablets of stone. In which God wrote. The ten commandments. With his own finger. As he says. And as he is coming down. He sees Israel.

[27:06] Worshipping. And sacrificing. To a golden calf. Shouting. And dancing around it. And he throws. The tablets down. And breaks them. He burns the calf.

[27:16] In the fire. He grinds it to powder. Scatters it on the water. And then makes the people. Drink it. And then Moses. Turns to Aaron. Whom he had left.

[27:27] In charge. And says. What did these people. Do to you. That you led them. Into such great sin. And Aaron replied. They gave me.

[27:39] Their gold jewelry. I threw it. Into the fire. And out came. This calf. Now he is missing. Something. Isn't he? That is not the whole story.

[27:50] Is it? He is left out. A few important points. Like. The melted gold jewelry.

[28:01] Was then poured. Into a mold. Cast. Into the shape. Of a calf. And then with tools. It was fashioned. Further. Into the idol. It didn't just.

[28:13] Voila. Come out. A calf. Why did Aaron lie. Kids. Why did he lie? For the same reason. Some of you.

[28:24] Have lied. To your parents. When they've asked you. About something. You did wrong. And you were afraid. Of getting caught. Afraid of the consequences. Of punishment. So you lied. It wasn't me. I didn't do it.

[28:36] And fear. In the heart. Puts lies. In the mouth. Maybe it was. Your greed. That didn't want. To lose your privileges. So you lied. To keep those privileges.

[28:49] Maybe it was your pride. That doesn't want. To be exposed. For what you really are. But in any case. A heart. To cover up sin. Puts lie. In the mouth. And I think.

[29:00] That's got to be. One of the most common. Reasons. Kids lie. And kids. I'm not picking on you. I say that. Because I was a kid. Once. And as I thought.

[29:12] Back. I thought. You know. I lied. More often than not. For that reason. I didn't want. To get caught. I didn't want. The punishment. And this lies.

[29:23] As old as Cain. This reason. For lying. As old as Cain. Where's your brother? God asked him. I don't know. Am I his babysitter? Not wanting.

[29:34] To be. Exposed. For his lie. He. Or for his murder. He lies. Joseph's brothers. What do they do? They. They take Joseph's coat. Of many colors. And they tear it all up.

[29:45] And they smear blood on it. And they bring it back. To father. Jacob. And say. Looks like. A wild animal. Must have killed Joseph. Why would they say that? Why would they lie. To their own father?

[29:56] To cover up. What they had done. To their brother Joseph. And selling him into. Egypt. As a slave. It's not only kids. Who lie.

[30:06] To cover up. Sin. It's. King David. Who went to all. Kinds of deceitful schemes. To cover up. His adultery. It's Sarah. The wife. Of.

[30:17] The father. Of the faithful. Abraham. Who. When God. Comes down. The form of a man. To tell. Abraham. And Sarah. That they're going to have. The child of promise. At last.

[30:29] He will be born. About a year from now. And she laughs. Inside the tent. With unbelief. Can't happen. It's too late.

[30:40] We're too old. God says. To Abraham. Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard. For the Lord? And the Bible tells us.

[30:53] Sarah was afraid. So she lied. And said. I did not laugh. Now. There we have it. Not every time. Are we told. But there we have.

[31:04] The heart. Of the lie. She was afraid. Therefore. She lied. And God says. You did too laugh. So many lies.

[31:19] In the Bible. The Samaritan woman. At the well. Jesus tells her. Go call your husband. I have no husband. Now that too. Was true. Wasn't it?

[31:29] But it was told. To mislead. What does she mean. By it? Jesus is hot. On the trail. Of her sin. Being exposed. And she wants.

[31:40] To put him. Off the trail. Well. I have no husband. Jesus says. You're right. When you say. You have no husband. But she was leaving.

[31:52] Something out. Wasn't she? And he says. The fact is. You've had five. Husbands. And the man you now have. Is not your husband. What you've said. Is quite true. That's tongue in cheek. She lied.

[32:02] When she said. I have no husband. It was. Deception. It was. To mislead. Jesus. It was not. Meant.

[32:13] To speak the truth. And why. Why poor. Samaritan woman. Are you lying. To the son of God. Who could save you. From your sin. To hide her sin.

[32:26] To hide her immorality. To hide her shameful past. It's the same with Gehazi. Elisha's servant. The Syrian.

[32:38] Commander. Naaman had a problem. He had. Leprosy. And he's. Got a little. Servant girl. That he stole. From one of his. Raiding bands. Into Israel.

[32:48] And she's an Israelite. And knows. There's a prophet. In Israel. That could heal him. She tells her. Naaman's wife. And she tells Naaman. And Naaman. Naaman tells the king. And gets a letter. And he comes down.

[32:59] To Israel. To be healed. By Elisha. The prophet. And Elisha. Doesn't even come out. He just sends his. Servant Gehazi out. Just go tell the man.

[33:10] To go wash seven times. In the Jordan river. And he'll be clean. And you remember. How upset. Naaman was. I got cleaner rivers. Back in Syria. He headed his chariots. For home.

[33:20] And. Until his own. Servant said. Sir. If. The prophet. Had given you. Something difficult to do. Wouldn't you have done it? Well yeah. Well then why not.

[33:32] When he gives you. Something so simple. And it was the servants. Convincing him. That turned Naaman around. And he goes down. To the dirty Jordan. And he dips seven times. And the last time.

[33:42] He comes up. As clean. As a child. Skin. And he hurries back. To Elisha's home. The prophet. And he's. He's brought a whole.

[33:54] Truck loads. As we would say. Of gifts. For the prophet. And he's ready. To give it all. To Elisha. Out of gratitude. And Elisha says. No. I don't want a thing from you.

[34:06] And sends him. On his way. With a blessing. Gehazi saw all that stuff. And he started coveting.

[34:18] And he says. My master let him off. Too easy. And so he snuck out. The back door. And he. He took off. And he caught up. With Naaman. And he says.

[34:32] Well. My master sent me. To say. Two young men. From the company. Of the prophets. Have just come to me. From the hill country. Of Ephraim. Please give them. A talent of silver. And two sets of clothing.

[34:46] Stealing. And lying. You see it. He wants something. At the bottom. Is greed. He wants the silver. He wants the clothes. Bad enough. To lie. To get them. And Naaman.

[34:57] Gladly. Gives them to him. And Gehazi. Sneaks back. Into the house. And hides the gifts. And comes in. Before. Elisha. The prophet. Who says.

[35:08] Where were you. Gehazi. I didn't go anywhere. I didn't go anywhere. This was a moment.

[35:18] Of truth. And he meets it. With a lie. And God exposed his lie. To Elisha. Who in his own mind. Saw him leave. And saw what had transpired.

[35:29] There with Naaman. He was exposed. For his lie. From that point on. The leprosy. That Naaman. Was cleansed from.

[35:40] Stuck fast. To Gehazi. And we see. What God thinks. Of lying. But it was multiple lies. Wasn't it? It was.

[35:50] Multiple reasons. For lying. He lies to Naaman. Because he's greedy. For game. He lies to. Elisha. To cover up. His other lying. Scheme. With Naaman. President.

[36:01] Richard Nixon. Lied. To cover up. His stealing files. From Watergate. Office building. And he lost. The presidency. Over it. Whatever trouble. Children. Whatever trouble. Comes from telling the lie.

[36:12] It is always better. To tell the truth. Than to tell a lie. To cover up. The truth. Lay's potato chips.

[36:24] Had a marketing jingle. No one can eat. Just one. And it's almost as true of lying. No one can tell. Just one. Because you've no sooner spoken one lie.

[36:36] Than you'll need another. To cover up. Your tracks of speaking that lie. And with each subsequent lie. You'll need another. And another. And another. Until eventually.

[36:46] You can't cover them all. And you're caught in your own web of deceit. What a tangled web we weave. When first we practice to deceive. The poet said.

[36:57] Upfront. Honesty. Is always the best policy. The cyclist. Lance Armstrong. Lied for ten years. To cover it up. To cover up. His use of performance.

[37:09] Enhancing drugs. He was asked. With a microphone in his face. The camera rolling. And he vigorously. Denied. Denied. Denied. Denied.

[37:19] He attacked his questioners. He was merciless to people. Who even suspected him. Of cheating. And lying. But in the end. He confessed.

[37:31] It's very hard. To conceal the truth. Forever. It has a way of coming out. Doesn't it? And if not in this life. Then in the next.

[37:42] But the lie got too big to defend. It was too many lies to cover. And he was found out. And stripped of his Olympic medal. And his seven Tour de France. Titles.

[37:53] People lie. To keep from getting caught. Fear of exposure. Here in the heart. Puts lies in the mouth. To cover up sin.

[38:04] So. These biblical examples. Have given us. Six of the most. Popular reasons. Why people lie. If you can think of others. Come to me. And tell me. But that's what I found.

[38:15] From these examples. In the Bible. And my aim is. That we might get to the heart. Of lying. That we might see. Our need for Jesus. And the new heart. That only he can give.

[38:26] This problem goes deep. It goes wide. It's not just of a few. And yet Jesus. Is the savior. Of liars. And so we.

[38:37] We want to come to these things. And learn how to carry on. An all out war. Against lying. How do we do it? Well. There's. There's more than one ways.

[38:47] A factory. Is pouring out. Their radioactive waste. Through a three foot pipe. Right into the river. 24 seven. Just belching. Their sledge.

[38:58] Into the river. And so you're going to fix the problem. So you set up shop. A mile downstream. And you've got all kinds of money. And equipment. And a great expense. You're running the water. Through all kinds of filters.

[39:09] But it's also ineffective. And it's an endless. Process. And you're never closer. To being done with the pollution. Or.

[39:19] You can trace the. The pollution. Upstream. To the source. And shut down. That polluting factory. That's. Filling. The river.

[39:30] With pollution. You see the heart. Is the factory. The heart. Has. Rebellion. Hatred. Greed.

[39:42] Fear. Cover. All these things. In the heart. Belching. Up. Into the mouth. And out come the lies. You see why we can't just fight it. At the level of the mouth. We've got to go for the heart.

[39:55] It's the heart. That puts lies. Into the mouth. And that's where we need. To fight this battle. Otherwise. We're putting band-aids. On the problem. While the real source. Goes.

[40:05] Undealt with. So how do we war. Against lying. Very. Quickly. Six. Corresponding. Virtues. Of the heart. To dry up lies. At their root. For each one of these.

[40:17] Sinful attitudes. In the heart. There is a. Godly virtue. A godly grace. To put on. In the heart. That will. Put the truth. In your mouth.

[40:28] So you've got this. Inward rebellion. That says. I own my lips. I'm my own master. Well that needs to be. That rebellion. Needs to be replaced. With submission.

[40:38] To Christ. As your master. That Jesus. Is my master. Father. And if you're Christian. You can say. He's bought me. My whole body and soul.

[40:49] He's bought me. I don't belong to myself. And that includes my lips. So. So he's my new master. And he's the master of my lips. As well. And I prove my. Relationship with him.

[41:03] If I'm submitting to him. Then I submit to his laws. I submit to his ninth commandment. And so. All to Jesus. I surrender. All I am.

[41:14] All. Of my being. My lips are not mine. But yours. Oh Lord. Bought with your precious blood. So. Take my lips. And let them move. At the impulse of your love. And a heart submitted to Jesus.

[41:29] Will. Put the truth. In your lips. And then there's hatred. Hatred that wants to hurt people. With lies. And slander. Like Potiphar's wife.

[41:41] That's got to be replaced. With a love. Love. That will do your neighbor. No harm. And therefore. Will not lie to him. Or about him.

[41:52] But will protect. His reputation. And so Peter gets it. He says. Get rid of all malice. And all deceit. And hypocrisies.

[42:02] And envies. And slander. Of every kind. Where does it start? Get rid of the malice. That's the factory. That belches out. Slander. Deceit.

[42:15] Hypocrisies. It's mentioned first. It's the source. It's the source. But if you get rid of the malice. In the heart. Then the heart.

[42:26] Harmful. Hurtful words. Will dry up. In the mouth. And you'll speak the truth. How do you get rid of malice? In the heart? Will you come to the cross. Of Jesus. And you see.

[42:38] How God has so loved you. Who deserved. To be damned. That your sin. Was so obnoxious. To him. That you deserve. To be in hell forever. And instead of damning you.

[42:48] He sent his one and only son. And punished him. Instead of you. And that love. That you taste. And you. Partake of. And experience. Will change your life. John says.

[42:59] You can't know the God. Who is love. Without becoming a lover. Like him. And instead of hating people. In your heart. You will. Start to love them. And love. Will not allow you.

[43:10] To do evil. To them. Love will not allow you. To speak. Ill of them. To lie about them. Or to lie to them. We love. Because he first loved us.

[43:22] With a love. That changes our hating. To loving. And then there's that greed. In the heart. That wants more. Than what I can lawfully get. And it leads me to lie.

[43:32] With Jacob. And Ahab. To get it. It's got to be replaced. With contentment. Contentment. With what God has given me. And when I'm contented.

[43:45] With what is mine. It will keep my lips. From lying. To get what is not mine. And then there's pride. In the heart. That wants to impress.

[43:55] Other people. It'll put lies in my mouth. To try to impress you. And make you think. I'm a holier man. Than I am. What do I do with that? That pride. Well it must be replaced.

[44:06] By humility. That honestly knows. What I am. I'm not talking about. Acting humble. You know. That's just another species. Of pride.

[44:18] False humility. Is just another. Species of pride. No I'm talking about. Real humility. Where does that come from? It's the reflex response. Of knowing who God is.

[44:31] And who I am. And whenever you see somebody. Who comes to know. Who God is. And who they are. They're not polishing.

[44:42] Their image. Before other men. With lies. But they're going down. On their faces. With Isaiah. Saying. Woe is me. I am a man.

[44:52] Of unclean lips. And my eyes. Have seen. The King. The Lord Almighty. And we. If we're truly humble.

[45:03] And know who Jesus is. Will say with Peter. When he's out in the middle. Of the lake. The lake. And Jesus says. Put your. Put your nets out. On the other side. And he does. And they catch all kinds of fish.

[45:14] And Peter says. Away. Away from me Lord. I'm a sinful man. I don't deserve to be. In the same boat. With God. Or Centurion.

[45:27] I don't deserve. To have you come under my roof. Lord. So just speak the word. Or Paul. Christ. Jesus. Came into the world. To save sinners. Of whom. I am the chief. Or John Newton.

[45:40] Amazing grace. That ever saved a wretch like me. You see. Once we. Have true humility. From seeing. Myself. In the light of who God is. There's no telling lies.

[45:52] To make you think better of me. Such lies. Are withered up at the root. When true humility. Replaces. Pride.

[46:03] And then there's fear. In my heart. That will tempt me. To lie. With Abraham. Isaac. And Peter. And it must be replaced. With faith. Faith in this God.

[46:13] That we're singing about. We're worshiping. It's why worship. Is so important. That we know this. God. Who is our shepherd. Who will protect me. And therefore.

[46:24] I don't have to lie. To protect myself. Whether I'm Peter. Or Abraham. Or Isaac. I can. I can tell the truth. And trust. That my good shepherd. My Lord.

[46:35] Sabaoth. Lord of hope. He'll protect me. And faith. Replaces fear. And shrivels up. The temptation. To lie. In order to. Protect myself.

[46:46] And then there's that inner instinct. To forever cover up my sin. To keep them hidden. With lies. Well.

[46:56] The fear of being found out. Needs to be met with. The gospel truth. That we're already found out. Nothing in all creation. Is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered.

[47:07] And laid bare. Before the eyes of him. To whom we must give an account. Therefore. We can't hide. Our sin from him. And neither do we need. To hide. Our sin from him. We have a savior.

[47:18] In Jesus Christ. A savior for sin. Itself. Who promises. That if we confess. Our sins. He will be faithful. And just to forgive. Our sins. And to cleanse us.

[47:29] From all unrighteousness. So he who knows. Everything about me. Who knows my thoughts. My motivations. What's going on. Inside of me. He still loves me.

[47:44] And he's willing. To forgive me. And to cleanse me. He's died for my sin. And his blood. And righteousness. Truly covers my sin.

[47:55] Such that they're remembered. No more. If I try to cover my sin. I fail. But if I bring my sins to Jesus.

[48:08] Confessing and renouncing them. I find mercy. Proverbs 28. 13. He that covers his sin. Will not prosper. But whoever confesses.

[48:20] The very opposite of covering. Confesses. I have done it Lord. This is what I did. I acknowledge my sin. And renounce it. For the evil that it is.

[48:32] They will find mercy. Mercy. With the Lord. This is the gospel truth. That sets us free. From all the futile. Cover up schemes. And lies. That we tell. It's not found in covering.

[48:44] It's found in confessing. And in that I am free. And it all starts. You see. With me before the Lord. Owning what I am. Before him. What have we seen this morning.

[48:57] Over and over. We've seen that lies in the mouth. Come from certain sinful attitudes. In the heart. The polluting factory of the heart. Fouls the streams of my mouth. And so the battle must be fought.

[49:09] And won. Not simply by. Trying. To shut my mouth up from lies. But to get down. To the polluting source. And to put to death. Those sinful attitudes.

[49:22] Of greed. And rebellion. And fear. And pride. And cover up. And then to grow. In the corresponding virtues. Of submission.

[49:35] And contentment. Humility. And faith. And the gospel truth. That Jesus. Receives. Confessing.

[49:47] Sinners. And saints. You ready to declare all out war. Against lying. Nothing else will do. Than going to the heart. Of the lie. And almighty God will help you.

[50:01] He's put his spirit in you. To do what? To create those virtues. To strengthen those virtues. Submit to the spirit. Grow in grace.

[50:11] And in virtue. Leave no unguarded place. No weakness of the soul. Take every virtue. Every grace. And fortify. The whole. Some of you need to surrender to Jesus.

[50:24] For the first time. Some of you for the thousandth time. Some of you have lies to confess. To him. To others. Jesus. It's the way to freedom.

[50:37] It's the way to abundant life. Let's pray and thank our God. Grace to cleanse and power to free.

[50:51] We sang it of you. Our kind shepherd. Jesus Christ. And we are in need of grace to cleanse. And power to free. Set us free from lying.

[51:05] And cleanse the fountain of our heart. From all these sinful attitudes. That would tempt us to lie. And indeed. Put a lie in our lips.

[51:16] Help us to grow. In the graces of Jesus Christ. And so to find the lies drying up. On our lips. Because we know you.

[51:27] The God of truth. And we're becoming more like your son. Who said I am the truth. And so make us. Truth tellers. Truth lovers. Truth livers.

[51:38] And all to the glory of Jesus. Who laid down his life for us. That our sins might be forever covered up. In his blood. Help us in our own struggles.

[51:52] And may the glory. Go to you. To whom alone it's due. And we praise you. In Jesus name. Amen. Amen.